Buffelsdrift is a 430Ha Game farm with hiking trails, river and bushveld terrain offering a variety of habitats ranging from typical acacia thornveld, mixed acacia/broadleaf woodland and riverine vegetation along the Elands River. Buffelsdrift has a species list of over 350 and its network of roads, river trail and a lapa with picnic site provide good birding of most of the typical thornveld and riverine species such as African Pygmy-Kingfisher, Crimson breasted Shrike, Violet-backed Starling, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird and Southern Pied Babbler. Along the 2km stretch of the Elands River and extensive canal system, birding can be productive at all times of the year, African Finfoot may be seen by the lucky, but African Black Duck, Giant Kingfisher, Half-collared Kingfisher and Malachite Kingfisher are often seen. Special sightings recently were Dusky Larks and African Crake. Rust de Winter is renown for it´s raptors. Regular sightings of Fish Eagle, Brown and White Fronted Snake Eagles, African Hawk Eagles and Osprey occur. Night drives can be organised with the possiblilty of seeing six owl and up to four nightjars species including Fiery Cheeked and European Nightjar, Spotted Eagle-Owl, Southern White-faced Scops-Owl and, occasionally the Giant Eagle Owls. Other than birds you have game hiking amongst Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Kudu, Waterbuck, Rooi-Hartebeest, Inyala and many more. Tree spotters will enjoy the 65 plus species on the farm with huge Apiesdorings along the river. Accommodation, set along the river, is in the form of A frame self catering huts with a shady braai area. Cottages sleep four with gas stove, fridge, hot water and solar lighting, flushing loo and shower. Linen, cutlery crockery and wood supplied. Day birders or hikers are welcome and catered for with a new river lapa and braai facilities. Please phone in advance. Directions: Approximately 40Km north of Pretoria, exit N1 at sign Boekenhoutskloof/Hammanskraal, turn right over the N1and immediately turn left to Rust de Winter. After 30Km at the T junction, turn right to Rust de winter, after 10Km, turn right at green Steam Engine, sign Dave & Marie–Buffelsdrift, onto dirt road, follow the arrows for 1 km.

Liv’ A Little is situated in the small, unique eco-village of Leeupoort in the foothills of the Waterberg Mountain range that forms part of the undiscovered south-western portion of the Limpopo Province. The Nature Reserve encompasses a mixture of habitats, including grassland, Bushveld and montane vegetation. The gardens in the village attract a myriad of different species that can be viewed easily and at close range. The following species have been recorded: Goldentailed and Cardinal Woodpeckers, Southern Black Tit and Verraux’s Eagle. Liv’ A little B&B is a small, personalised establishment which provides accommodation and breakfast for up to eight people however bigger groups can be accommodated in other Guest Houses in the Village. There is a restaurant with in walking distance or Liv’ A Little can provide Dinners at an additional cost. The excellent Birding sites of Vaalkop Dam and Bird Sanctuary, Borakalalo Game Reserve, the important birding areas of Marakele National Park, Pilansberg National Park and the renowned RAMSAR site of Nylsvlei Nature Reserve are all with in one and a half hours drive from Liv’ A Little. In addition Liv’ A Little is only ten kilometers from Koedoeskop which is a classic site for Yellow Throated Sandgrouse and other interesting species such as Temrincks Courser, Chestnut-Backed Sparrowlark and in summer, Caspian Plover. The reserve offers excellent hiking trails through breath taking vegetation, including the third, forth and fifth biggest Tambotie Trees measured in South Africa. Excellent sightings of nocturnal mammals such as the Lesser Bushbaby and Bushpig are common as well as our various owl species. Seldom seen, but resident, is the Brown Hyena and Leopard as well as more common game as Warthog, Zebra, Wildebeest and Eland etc. Liv’ A Little offers various cultural, wildlife and birding tours through the Limpopo, Gauteng and North-West Provinces of South Africa. From Gauteng: take the N4 to Brits. Then proceed on the R511 towards Thabazimbi. After the sign that reads 40km to Thabazimbi take the R516 to Bela-Bela (formally Warmbaths) and at 10km turn Right at the sign Leeupoort Town and contact Leon or Lizzie to meet you at the entrance gate.

Matamba bush camp and lodge is situated within the Waterberg biosphere and is part of the Waterberg conservancy. Malaria free and with easy access from Johannesburg, Pretoria and Polokwane, Matamba is on the R33 between Vaalwater and Lephalale.

Matamba has two different accommodation options. The bush campsite offers a unique camping experience with individual campsites nestled under wild syringa trees, the family ablution block built from natural material blends into the surrounding bush.

The lodge accommodation is luxurious, a large central dining and living area with a bar and pool. There are four tasteful chalets each with a king size bed. The lodge is set in a magnificent indigenous garden which attracts an incredible variety of birdlife. Matamba is owner run, Sue and Alan offer their guests a farm stay experience with freshly prepared wholesome meals which can be served either in the dining room or under the stars in the lapa.

Matamba’s habitat comprises Terminalia bushveld, open plains where Bushveld pipit, lizard buzzard, Black breasted snake eagle are frequently seen. There are over 30 km of walking and mountain biking trails with spectacular views of the Welgevonden Game Reserve in the mountains. The birdlife is prolific; and with relaxed plains game, Matamba offers bushveld birding at its best!

This bush camp is on a large cattle and game farm, 14km along the Zaagkuildrift road, which follows the Pienaarsriver. The thornveld and riverine habitats in this area hold Tinkling Cisticaola, Pied babbler and Crimson-breasted Shrike. This area is also well known for the variety of warblers that can be seen. The whole farm and especially the area around the bush camp can be birded on foot. There are also several dirt roads on the farm suitable for sedan vehicles. There are an extensive birdlife in the area and up to fifty species can be seen in one morning session. The Kgomo kgomo floodplain, one of the best spots in the country for spotting a variety of water birds, is within easy reach from the bushcamp (±7 km on the Zaagkuildrift road). There is only one camp on the farm, and it is situated in its own private area, some distance from the main gravel road. The bush camp consists of separate buildings surrounding a big central braai area. There are five bedrooms, four en-suite, which can accommodate 12 people. The kitchen is fully equipped, and has a distinctly old-farmhouse (rustic) feel to it. Bedding, towels, as well as firewood are supplied. The camp is comfortable with basic amenities, as well as electricity, is serviced daily, and is great for birders who want to be out in the bush. Accommodation price: R100-00 per person per night. Check in after 15h00 and check out strictly before 10h00.

Lourie Cottages These two fully equipped cottages are situated in a gated complex on the Jacaranda lined streets of Modimolle. Each cottages has it’s own small garden with braai facilities. The cottages can be booked bed and breakfast accommodation on a self-catering basis. Each of the cottages can sleep 4 people in two en-suite bedrooms with shared dining room, lounge and kitchen The owners Ida and Kobus are nature lovers who attract birds to the complex’s gardens and you may see Southern Red Bishops, Cut-throat Finches and Black-collared Barbets at the feeders in the gardens. The cottages are a twenty minute drive from the famous Nylsvley Nature Reserve, and can act a comfortable seure base from which to explore the area.

Bundox Game Ranch lies at the foot of the Swaershoek Mountain range in Mookgopong (Naboomspruit) and is well-placed for a stopover for birders visiting Nylsvley, Doorndraai Dam and Moordrift. The habitat at this birder-friendly establishment is mainly broadleaved woodland and patches of Acacia thornveld, so specials such as Olive Tree Warbler, Rufous-naped Lark, Grey-headed Bush-shrike, Spotted Flycatcher, Icterine Warbler and Northern Black Korhaan can be found here. The dawn chorus is spectacular and many birds will visit the water bowls and the seed tables throughout the day. Another way to explore the area is in Kayaks along the backwaters and reed beds of a dam at the end of the Nyl Floodplain. This can be rewarding for Little Bittern, African Snipe and a variety of egrets, ducks, plovers, stints, terns, sandpipers, storks and herons. The varied accommodation at Bundox is creative and stylish. Guests can choose from the Bush Camp, sleeping up to 10 people in permanent tents with tasteful African furnishings or in one of the luxurious Villas or even in the more remote Safari Camp with 2 Russian Safari tents and the open deck. The Bush Camp boasts a lovely indoor-outdoor boma and dining area looking out onto bird baths and seed trays. Quirky pots Bushman statues and handmade washbasins creatively decorate the outdoor area, while the stylish lounge with an incredible hand-crafted door offers a lovely place to relax indoors. The Villas are fully self-contained units for a couple wanting a stylish, more private option. Huge windows, comfy easy-chairs and luxurious bath lead out to a plunge pool and braai area. There is a bird hide nearby and easy walks around the camp. The Nyala breeding programme and the dassie run are also interesting features on this game farm. The Safari Camp is on a 600 hectare property and has no electricity, open-air showers, a fully-equipped gas appliance kitchen and stylish outdoor lounge. Any of these accommodation options are sure to delight you and Ida and Marinus Smith are charming, knowledgeable and willing hosts.

Dinonyane is situated 1km from the entrance gate of Nylsvley Nature Reserve. The lodge is situated in thornveld bush and the well-watered gardens with secluded ponds attract a host of bushveld bird, particularly in the drier periods. It is not unusual to see in excess of 30 bird species in the gardens in a morning. Pearl-spotted Owlet, Brown-hooded Kingfisher and Violet-back Starling are just some of the birds that can be seen from your patio at Dinonyane. The lodge can accommodate up to 40 guests on a sharing basis, and the swimming pool, trampoline and tennis court make it an ideal place for a family break-away. The conference facilities, a birder’s bar and bush boma make a great venue for a group of birders to explore the Nylsvley Nature Reserve and Floodplain area.

This RAMSAR site is a unique seasonal flood plain that is the largest and most intact in the country. It is surrounded by typical bushveld savannah. The area has over 365 bird species recorded, with 104 of these being water birds. The flood plain is inundated every two to four years and when it floods, several rare and endangered water birds breed here. All three of the bittern species occur and breed here and all of the southern African herons have been recorded here. The largest recorded breeding concentrations in South Africa of Great Egret, Black Heron, Squacco Heron and Black-crowned Night Heron occur at Nylsvley. Streaky breasted Flufftail have been recorded here and Striped Crake and Lesser Moorhen and Allan’s Gallinule breed here. Pygmy Goose, White-backed Duck and Comb Duck are some of the 15 duck and goose species that occur at Nylsvley in the wet years. In the dry years, the area is still a prime birding destination for bushveld birding. Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Olivetree Warbler and Tinkling Cisticola all occur here. There is a large concentration of Pearl-spotted Owlet along with 7 other owl species. This is a birding stop not to missed. There is a camp site and accommodation in the reserve as well as a variety of birder friendly accommodation around the reserve and in Modimolle and Moogophong, less than half an hour’s drive away.

Thaba Ya Metsi is a 4-star, Birder-friendly Establishments owned and run by the dynamic Hettie Roos. Thaba Ya Metsi is located at the foot of the Waterberg Mountains between Makopane (Potgietersrus) and Mookgapong (Naboomspruit). Hettie has created nine tastefully decorated rooms named after Bushveld trees – Euphorbia, Marula etc. The gardens are beautifully landscaped and attract birds of all kinds throughout the day to the many bird baths and feeders. The Wooden deck has spectacular views and also draws in the birds (and squirrels and bushbabies) with the fruit, seed and sugar water feeders. Hettie has a comprehensive bird list for the property and can show you where birds are nesting in the garden. She has recorded over 70 species in her garden alone including Eurasian Golden Oriole and African Goshawk. Birders can pick up African Green Pigeon, Cut-throat Finch, Yellow-bellied Greenbul and Goldentailed Woodpecker and many more in the lovely gardens, and for the more energetic there is a trail that leads up into the foot hills of the waterberg through broadleaved woodland that hold Green-spotted Dove, Chinspot Batis and White-browed Scrub-Robin. The Guest House and lodge have nine comfortable en-suite rooms with air conditioning, television and fridges. There is a pool for cooling after some mid-day birding and meals are served on the deck verlooking the springbok flats where you can see spectaular sunsets. Thaba Ya Metsi is close to Entabeni and Doorndraai dam as well as being a quiet and convenient stopover for Nylsvley visitors.

This reserve in the far north eastern part of the Waterberg has some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in the province. There is a spectacular escarpment of red sandstone cliffs and a host of lone-standing mesas that remind one of postcards of Arizona in the USA. The reserve is just over 4000 hectares and the habitats are mainly deciduous broadleaved woodland. The main birding attraction of the reserve are the raptors - there are 4 pairs of Verreaux’s Eagle breeding on the cliffs as well as African Hawk Eagle, African Harrier Hawk, Lanner Falcon and rock Kestrel. Lizard Buzzard and Brown and Black-chested Snake Eagles are also found here. The other interesting species that have been found here include Retz’s Helmentshrike, Grey Tit-Flycatcher and Short-toed Rock Thrush. There is an Ivory Route camp in the reserve.

This 2000 hectare conservancy in the Waterberg mountains has a wide range of habitats, from wetlands to cliffs, it can all be found on this property. The majority of the area is covered by braodleaved woodlands, but there are a number of small streams and two perrenial rivers with wetland areas that attract Blue Crane, Secretary Birds, Common Quail and a host of other grassland birds. The raptors are well represented with Lizard Buzzards, Little Sparrowhawk, Spotted Eagle Owl and Cape Vulture being seen here often. There is a hide placed on one of the small dams that attracts Black Crake, Yellowbilled Duck and Moorhens, but this property has been under birded and many specials may be found in the vast tracts of wilderness. There are over 70km of hiking trails on the farm and a host of small self catering cabins that provide basic but comfortable accommodations.

Izintaba Game Farm is hidden well into the Waterberg mountains on a 1200 hectare bushveld farm punctuated by mountains and dramatic gorges. This owner-run farm offers tree luxurious, tastefully decorated chalets (sleeping 4, 6 and 8) to guests wanting privacy, tranquility and lazy days next to the pool after a morning’s bushveld birding. Specials include Black Eagle, Denhams Bustards and Short-toed Rock-Thrush. There are several marked walking paths including a trail to the kloof and the picnic site on the dam. Although only 300 km’s from Johannesburg, Izintaba makes you believe you are in the middle of the wilderness. For bushveld birding in a private, tranquil Waterberg setting, Izintaba is the place to go.

Jembisa lodge is situated on the 2 500 ha Palala River Reserve and offers a variety of accommodation ranging from and exclusive lodge to various self catering options and can accommodate between 2 and 10 people per unit. Guests are welcome to do their own game drives although guided game drives and walks can be booked. The Palala river bisects the reserve for seven kilometers and along its course African Finfoot, White-Backed Night-Heron, Little bittern and Half-collared Kingfisher, can be found. The dense riverine shrubs is a good spot to look for terrestrial brownbull, yellow bellied greenbull, White throated Robin and African Firefinch. A birdhide has recently been constructed at Kingfisher cottage making it an ideal spot to stake out the above mentioned birds. In the north of the reserve a spring fed wetland is host to numerous local specials and an early morning visit will reveal White-backed duck, Black crake, African Jacana and African snipe. Buff spotted flufftail is often heard calling from deep within the reedbeds. The adjacent woodland is also a good place to see lizard buzzard and Black cuckooshrike. Bushveld birds are well represented in the rest of the reserve with amongst others, Striped Kingfisher, Purple roller, Grey Penduline tit, Temmincks courser and Little Sparrowhawk. Kurrichane buttonquail also occur.From Vaalwater take the Melkrivier turn-off and follow the road for 40 kms. Turn left onto a dirt road at the first Jembisa sign. Follow the road for 5.9 kms and turn right still following the Jembisa boards. Follow the road for until reaching the main gate to Jembisa on the right hand side. Palala River reserve forms part of the Birds in Reserves Project with the ADU at the University of Cape Town and one can submit checklists if contributing to this project. Cost: self catering R200.00 – R275.00 pppn. Main lodge R2000.00 PPPN

Kololo Private Game Reserve (3000ha) is situated in the Waterberg Biosphere next to Marakele National Park and Welgevonden Private Nature Reserve in the Limpopo Province. Kololo has a variety of vegetation, open grass plains, to woodlands, to savannah and thick bush. Three perennial rivers run through Kololo, this diversty of habitats ensures that there is a good cross-sections of bird species. You have a good chance of seeing Gorgous Bushshrike, Cloud Cisticola or Pied Babblers on the reserve. There have been sightings of African Finfoot along the perennial rivers in the reserve that provide fresh water to the chalets and ample water to more than 11 species of antelope, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, and other small game. Kololo boasts a wide variety of chalets with different rates, sizes and locations. Kololo recently upgraded to a magnificent double storey Restaurant and Boma area with heated swimming pool and two lookout decks with a fantastic view over the plains of Welgevonden. Raptors are often seen from these spectacular lookouts. The restaurant is unique in its design and has a large modern kitchen facility and lounge area with fire-place as well as conference area. The Restaurant caters for disabled guests. Kololo can sleep up to 32 guests. All the chalets have fans, hairdryers, safes, tea & coffee making facilities. The chalets are all serviced daily and laundry service is available on request. The chalets all are self-catering and have micro-waves, fridges, kettles, toasters, cutlery etc. ADSL / Internet Access is available, however is not provided in the chalets.

Lindani is a 3500 hectare game farm located in the middle of the Waterberg near Vaalwater, only 285 km’s from Johannesburg. This spectacular bushveld farm has savannah, mountains and valleys, tranquil dams, wetlands and steep cliffs. Because of the incredible, varied habitat, Lindani has an impressive bird list of over 200 species including Comb Duck, White-backed Duck, African Black Duck, African Snipe, African Snipe, Temminck’s Courser, Denham’s Bustard, Shelly’s Francolin, African Hawk-Eagle, Ant-eating Chat, Grey Tit-Flycatcher, Ashy Flycatcher and Fan-tailed Widowbird Accommodation is in seven fully-equipped self catering lodges which are set far apart and are booked to a single group only, thus ensuring complete privacy. Each lodge has its own style of décor, ranging from luxurious to rustic and each has its own pool. There are many drives and walks you can take on this beautiful game farm where you have the freedom to do your own thing. Ideal for birding, hiking, cycling, photography and get-togethers for family and friends on special occasions.