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.

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.

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