Waterberg Mountain Ranges
The rugged and imposing Waterberg Mountain ranges, arguably the most dramatic geological feature within the whole of the Limpopo Province, stretches over an area in excess of 14 500 km2 and encompasses a jaw-dropping assemblage of cultural, archaeological and biological diversity.
The striking beauty of the surrounding savannah plains, completing the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, unfold from Marakele National Park to Wonderkop Nature, and is surrounded by craggy escarpments on three sides.
Thus the Waterberg basin is shaped, and it in turn gives birth to four of Limpopo main river systems.
Bela-Bela (or the erstwhile Warm Baths) serves as the main centre to this bushveldt region, and the name is derived from the Sotho words ‘boiling-boiling’, referring to the town’s world-renowned hot springs.
Places of Interest
Bela-Bela was founded by the Tswana people in the 1800's. A trip to Bela-Bela will not be complete without visiting its world famous hot water springs.
Hot water comes spouting out of the earth at a rapid rate with temperatures of 53 degrees Celsius (127.4 degrees F).
It is in close proximity to the bustling city of Johannesburg, making it an even more popular and convenient stopover.
Bela-Bela hosts various resorts, ideal for the throngs of guests that arrive each year.
Some of the activities guests can expect to enjoy in this area include sporting activities, recreational facilities, conferencing, Big Five explorations, hiking, game drives, horse riding, bird watching, swimming, water sport, quad bikes and so much more.
Places of interest in Bela-Bela include the wonderful golf courses, Thaba Kwena Crocodile Farm, Mokopa Reptile Park, Shingwedzi Cheetah and Wild Dog Breeding Project, Datan Strawberry Farm, Bela-Bela Dam, Diepdrift, Sondela, Ra-Molopo and Thaba Monate.
Hot Spring Surfacing
Warmbaths was laid out on four farms in 1882 and originally named Hartingsburg, but was renamed Warmbad (warm bath) in 1920, after the hot spring surfacing on one of the farms, named Het Bad (the bath).
The town's main attraction for visitors on South African holidays is the hot spring resort, with its hydro spa, outdoor pool complex, water slides, wave pool and river ride.
Cable water-skiing is one of many leisure and recreational activities on offer. Adjoining the resort is a small nature reserve, which can be seen by taking a guided game drive. A wide choice of accommodation is available.
During the South African War, the British built a blockhouse near the railway station to protect the line against attack by Boer commandos.