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!

This reserve holds a large dam in the foothills of the Waterberg between Mookgophong and Mokopane. There is a variety of habitats in the reserve with wooded hills, savannah bushveld and open plains and broadleaved woodland making up the majority of the habitat other than the dam and it well-vegetated banks. The reserve has a good complement of raptors with Martial Eagle, African Hawk Eagle and African Fish eagle all breeding here. This is one of the few places in the country where Garganey has been recorded, and Osprey are regularly seen here in summer. Coqui and Shelley’s Francolin are also often seen and heard and Freckled Nightjar Mocking Chat and are found in the hills. More than 12 species of shrike occur here as well as Yellow-throated Petronia and Orangebreasted Waxbill. Doorndraai dam has been a favourite for fishermen in the area for years and birders are only now starting to discover this beautiful reserve. Walking is allowed and there is lots of general game to be seen as well. To get there, take the Sterkrivier road off the R101 between Mookgophong and Mokopane and follow the signs. There is a camp site in the reserve

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.