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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.