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.
Businesses in Vaalwater
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Accommodation (45)Agriculture (3)Automotive (1)Business Services (1)Community & Government (4)Education (3)Food & Drink (1)Health & Wellness (2)Home & Building (1)IT & Electronics (1)Shopping (5)Tourism & Leisure (3)
AfriCamps Waterberg
Glamping-style tented camp near Vaalwater, part of the AfriCamps group.
Camping & Caravan Parks
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Afrihouse
Furniture and home shop in Vaalwater.
Shopping
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Ant's Hill & Ant's Nest
Bush camps in the Waterberg near Vaalwater known for family safaris, guided walks and horse riding.
Lodges & Game Lodges
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Berchtesgaden Ranch and Lodge
Ranch and lodge in the Vaalwater area.
Lodges & Game Lodges
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Bosveldrus Gastehuis
Guest house in the Vaalwater area.
Guest Houses & B&Bs
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Build it Hencor
Build it hardware and building-materials store in Vaalwater.
Hardware & Building Supplies
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Bushwa Private Game Reserve
Game reserve about 10-12 km from Vaalwater along the R33 towards Lephalale, with chalets, safari tents, a tree house an…
Lodges & Game Lodges
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Chateau de Bosveld
Guest house listed in the Vaalwater area.
Guest Houses & B&Bs
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway
Exclusive game lodge in the Welgevonden Game Reserve.
Lodges & Game Lodges
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Cottages @ Zeederbergs
Self-catering cottages at the Zeederberg centre in Vaalwater.
Self-Catering
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Cross Pollination Chalets & Camping
Self-catering chalets with camping, listed in the Vaalwater area.
Self-Catering
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Dombeya Private Game Reserve
Private game reserve lodge near Vaalwater.
Lodges & Game Lodges
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Dunroamin Safaris
Self-catering safari accommodation near Vaalwater.
Self-Catering
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Eating My Way Accommodation
Self-catering accommodation in Vaalwater.
Self-Catering
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Elevated Valley View Campsite
Tented campsite with valley views in the Vaalwater area.
Camping & Caravan Parks
Vaalwater, Limpopo
FNB Vaalwater
First National Bank branch in Vaalwater.
Financial Services
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Geelhoutkop Farm
Farm B&B in the Vaalwater area.
Guest Houses & B&Bs
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Groendraai River Cottages
Self-catering river cottages in the Vaalwater area of the Waterberg.
Self-Catering
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Grootwater Game Lodge & Camping
Game lodge with camping near Vaalwater.
Lodges & Game Lodges
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Hacienda Destri Lodge
Lodge listed in the Vaalwater area.
Lodges & Game Lodges
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Hanwill Tyres
Tyre dealer and fitment centre in Vaalwater.
Tyres & Exhausts
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Hemel Bushveld Lodge
Bushveld lodge listed in the Vaalwater area.
Lodges & Game Lodges
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Horizon Horseback Safaris
Horseback safari operator in the Waterberg near Vaalwater.
Adventure & Activities
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Kamotsogo Craft Art
Craft project in Vaalwater, established in 2006, making handcrafted contemporary African-style products.
Arts & Crafts
Vaalwater, Limpopo
Property in Vaalwater
No property listed in Vaalwater yet. List a property.