Vaalwater
Vaalwater is a small service town on the upper Mokolo River at the southern edge of the Waterberg Massif in Limpopo, in the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality. It supplies a large surrounding area of game farms and private reserves (including Welgevonden and Lapalala) with banking, groceries, fuel, a post office and doctors, and is a common stop on the way to Lephalale and Botswana. Tourism, craft and art shops and cafes are growing.
History
The town grew as a farming and supply centre for the Waterberg. In 2006 it was officially renamed Mabatlane, but reverted to Vaalwater in 2007 because proper renaming procedures had not been followed. Nearby St John's Church at 24 Rivers, dedicated in 1914, served the area's early English-speaking farming community. The surrounding Waterberg became northern South Africa's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Getting there
Take the N1 north from Pretoria, exit at the Kranskop toll plaza for Modimolle, then follow the R33 north-west from Modimolle to Vaalwater (roughly 1.5-2 hours from Pretoria). The R33 continues to Lephalale.
Weather & climate
Bushveld climate: hot summers with most rain falling in summer thunderstorms, and dry, sunny winters with mild days and cold nights.
Things to do
- Horse Riding & Guided Walks at Ant's HillHorse riding, guided bush walks and family safaris from the Ant's Hill and Ant's Nest bush camps.
- Lapalala WildernessA 48,000 ha reserve on the Palala and Kgogong rivers north of Vaalwater offering game drives, water safaris and tours of Iron Age sites and San rock art; Africa's first International Dark Sky Park. lapalala.com
- Lindani Hiking Trails & Mountain BikingAbout 40 km of trails across four circular hikes plus mountain biking on Lindani private farm in the Waterberg.
- The Waterberg MeanderSelf-drive route of about 8,000 sq km through the Waterberg savannah linking towns, reserves and craft stops.
- Welgevonden Game ReserveMalaria-free private Big Five reserve in the Waterberg with over 65 mammal and 300 bird species; guests only (no day visitors). welgevonden.org
Things to see
- Elizabeth Hunter StudioArt studio and gallery whose work is inspired by Waterberg landscapes.
- Kamotsogo Craft ArtCommunity craft project producing handcrafted African-style products, established 2006.
- Mokolo RiverVaalwater lies on the upper reaches of the Mokolo River, whose erosion carved the area's bluffs and buttes.
- St John's Church, 24 RiversSmall stone church outside Vaalwater on the farm 24 Rivers, dedicated in 1914 to a design requested from Sir Herbert Baker; it survived the 2020 fire that destroyed the newer hall.
- Waterberg BiosphereUNESCO biosphere reserve of mountains, bushveld and game.
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