Track the Big Five over hills and through scenic valleys and ponder the perfection of an umbrella thorn tree.
If you are looking to spot the Big Five on a tight schedule, the Waterberg region is the place to do so. The area is home to several private Big Five game reserves such as Welgevonden and Marataba, which have spent millions of dollars rehabilitating old farmland, turning it into pristine wilderness and reintroducing lions, elephants and rhinos, among other species. Although any sightings depend on an excellent guide and a bit of help from Lady Luck, it’s not uncommon to spot the Big Five during a weekend stay at one of the reserves.
As far as scenery goes, the Waterberg offers some impressive bushveld vistas, with tumbling hills and fertile valleys covered with savanna grassland and patches of acacia trees.