Things to Do in Mookgopong (Naboomspruit)

For the birds! Twitchers take note – get ready for a birding bonanza when the Nyl River floods the Limpopo wetlands. The birding watching is awesome, particularly in the Nysvley Nature Reserve. Now an internationally renowned RAMSAR site, the 4,000-hectare Nylsvley Conservancy is part of South Africa's largest flood-plain that stretches 70 km from Modimolle to Mokopane. The reserve is home to 72 mammal species, including rare Roan Antelope. High rainfall years bring a mind-boggling 80 000 migratory water birds to the floodplains, with up to 420 recorded species. Nysvley Nature Reserve is a haven for 37 Red-Data species, hence its significance as a RAMSAR site. You can easily spot as many as 365 species in the reserve itself which has five bird hides. The prolific bird life and plant species makes it a great attraction for bird-lovers, researchers and tourists at any time of year. And it’s not all about birding, it’s a great place for a weekend getaway or day outing. There are a few dirt roads for game-viewing, extensive walking, hiking, and mountain biking trails as well as campsites and picnic spots. +27 (0)14 743 1074 www.nylsvley.co.za

Legend Golf and Safari Resort promises an exceptional golf and safari experience featuring a high vantage point upon which visitors may tee off! This golf and safari resort offers a 19-hole course amidst wildlife, malaria-free bushveld surroundings, and stunning panoramic views particularly of the Hangklip Mountain. Eighteen of the world’s top golfers were selected to add their design expertise to the signature course, contributing to the allure and spirit of golf in Limpopo. Situated in the Waterberg region of the Limpopo Province of South Africa, Legend Golf sets new standards for golfing and wildlife viewing. The championship golf course includes a golf academy with driving range, recreational facilities, wellness centre, sports complex and conference centre.

Situated close to the beautiful Nylsvley Nature Reserve, Koro Creek Golf Estate offers a wonderful escape for families and golfers alike. Visitors can enjoy close encounters with wildlife on the 18-hole golf course or the game reserve – there is something for everyone. Warm, sunny winters and fantastic summers provide year round opportunities for golfing and other pursuits in a malaria-free playground. The 860-hectare nature reserve alongside the estate is going to be incorporated into the estate allowing wildlife to roam free. Koro Creek Golf Course is a 6825 metre par 72 championship course featuring four tee boxes on every hole to accommodate every level of golfer. Fairways narrow as you enter onto the green - be sure to bring your putting game! The clubhouse has all the amenities including a restaurant and all the amenities that members and visiting golfers require.

Lying in the heart of the Waterberg UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the privately owned Entabeni Game Reserve promises an exciting wilderness experience for discerning travellers. Here you can take a scenic helicopter flip, gaze at the stars in the observatory, go on guided horse trails, visit the local Pedi village, enjoy sunset lake cruises and a variety of wildlife viewing activities. Known as ‘The Place of the Mountain’, this malaria-free safari conservancy has an astonishing five ecosystems. Knowledgeable and friendly guides take visitors on fascinating excursions identifying a diverse array of interesting birds and animals – so much more than the usual Big Five sightings! Explore the grasslands and stunning craggy escarpment, drive down between the cliffs past bubbling streams and down to the balmy sand wetlands – you definitely won’t get bored. And at less than a three-hour drive from Johannesburg, the reserve’s proximity and lack of the nasty anopheles mosquito makes it an alluring destination.

Definitely worth a stop, the Arend Dieperink Museum houses a valuable cultural and historical collection of Sotho and Voortrekker artefacts. Inhabiting an elegant old stone school building, the museum tells the story of the region from early humankind at Makapan’s Cave, the Anglo Boer War and recent times. Vintage farm implements, tractors and wagons are showcased outdoors. Inside are a few of the incredible archaeological finds discovered at Makapan’s Cave including the three-million-year-old human predecessor, Australothipicus africanus. Do try the mampoer, a locally brewed ‘moonshine’ along with freshly baked bread – available on request. Tours to Makapan’s Cave depart from the museum by prior arrangement +27 (0)15 491 9735.

Ever dream of zipping above the trees like Tarzan and Jane? The Waterberg Zipline takes guests on an exciting, two-hour adventure sliding from one platform to the next. Professional guides share interesting facts about the local animals and plant life. The views of the Waterberg Mountains are stunning. 073 591 2280 / 082 903 6041 www.waterbergzip.co.za

Bambelela offers two and a half hour guided tours offering in-depth knowledge and first-hand experiences about hand-raising wild animals and primates. Some of the animals can be touched and there are great photo opportunities. Orphaned and injured African animals are cared for with the aim of rehabilitating them back into the wild. Bambelela are working on being officially recognized as a Vervet Monkey Sanctuary in the Waterberg. Tours are by appointment only. Cost per adult is R100 and R50 for kids (under 4 years free).

Grab your kids for mega wallowing and splashing about at Forever Resorts Warmbaths. Even if you’re not crazy about family-oriented resorts, a trip to Bela-Bela wouldn’t be complete without a dip in the bubbling hot mineral spring. But if it’s a quiet getaway you’re after be warned – on weekends and school holidays you might be joined by thousands of holiday makers. The source of the ancient spring gushes out 22 000 litres of water at 52 degrees Celsius every hour. Rich in limestone minerals including calcium carbonate, sodium chloride and other salts, the water is popular for healing treatments. Apart from the hydro therapy of the Jacuzzi, indoor hydro pools and the main pool, the resort offers cable water skiing, go-karts, mini quads, a fufi-slide, pedal boats, target shooting, 'Monster Web' climbing, putt-putt, kids play park, speed slide, wave pool – the list is endless! Day visitors are welcome from 07:00 – 17:00 December rates subject to change: adults R130, children 3 – 13 R100.

Rich in biodiversity, the scenically stunning Makapansgat Valley and Caves play a significant role in the Cradle of Humankind. The numerous cave system draw palaeontologists from around the globe to view fossils that date back over three million years, revealing the stories of this once tropical paradise. Our early ancestor, the ‘ape-man’ Austalopithecus africanus, is one of the fascinating finds. See the oldest site at Makapansgat Limeworks. The Cave of Hearths has evidence of human occupation from the Early Stone Age and the Hyena Cave has remains of early hyenas. Today vervet monkeys, baboons and bush babies clamber in the treetops, searching for the same edible fruits and plants that early man gathered. Contact the Arend Dieperink Museum in Mokopane for guided tours of the Makapansgat Caves starting at the museum. +27 015 491 9735

If you’re in Vaalwater looking for unusual handmade products made by locals look no further than Kamotsogo Craft Art. Although the artwork is contemporary, inspiration is drawn heavily from numerous African aesthetics and cultures. This wonderful empowerment initiative of the Clive Walker Foundation continues contributing to the meaningful improvement of lives and families within the local community. Originally established in 2006, this social investment plan nurtures employment opportunities and empowers women through the production, marketing and sales of their unique merchandise.

Tee off on the world first Biosphere Golf Course in the Waterberg The combination of 18 championship golf holes and the untamed wilderness of Africa promises to be an exceptional playing experience. Against a stunning backdrop of hills and nestled in the valleys, the course is divided by numerous gorges and water features on the magnificent estate. Entirely sensitive to the natural bushveld, the well-manicured USGA standard greens, bunkers and tees provide an attractive contrast to the wilderness. The Waterberg Biosphere Course is an outstanding addition to golfing in Limpopo and this unique concept will see the integration of a championship par 62 golf course with the Biosphere Nature Trail. Keen golfers will be able to play this course in less than three hours and see wildlife en route.

Almost the size of the Kruger National Park, the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve has it all. Close encounters with amazing wildlife, vast open spaces, rich biodiversity and the romance of the bushveld contribute to an unforgettable African wilderness experience. This magical part of South Africa offers discoveries as diverse as its visitors – fascinating people and places are all within easy reach. Stretching from Marakele National Park in the south west to Wonderkop Nature Reserve in the north east of Limpopo, the reserve houses an immense treasure of archaeological, cultural, and biological diversity. The small town of Vaalwater serves as the gateway to this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve characterized by undulating hills and endless views. Explore it on foot, horseback or in your vehicle – you won’t forget it!

Load up the family and take them to visit Mystic Monkeys & Feathers Wildlife Park on your next holiday. Friendly guides will take you on a fascinating tour of the enclosures where you will learn more about chimpanzees, white lions, tigers, cheetah and 38 playful primate species. The park is also home to numerous colourful exotic birds and lemurs. The park boasts 50 species of lemurs of which 17 are on the endangered species list including the brown, ring-tailed and ruffed lemurs. Mystic Monkeys & Feathers Wildlife Park is open 365 days a year from 9am to 4pm. Guided tours usually take two to three hours. Also on offer are informal play sessions, a curio shop, short game drives and school tours.

Spot the Big Five in a malaria-free reserve in the Waterberg Mountains. Conveniently situated, Mabalingwe Nature Reserve is an easy two-hour drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria – a great escape from the stresses of urban living. Gripping sightings of elephant, white rhino, leopard, hippo, giraffe, hyena and sable antelope are routine on this lush Limpopo game park. Spread over 12 500 hectares of pristine wilderness, the rolling hills of the reserve is the birthplace to 32 species of wildlife. Birders will be kept busy ticking off numerous special sightings with more than 250 bird species on record. Visit Mabalingwe at any time of year and discover some of life's forgotten pleasures - it's definitely worth a trip!

Zebula Golf Course offers a superlative golfing experience on a Peter Matkovich designed golf course. Teeing off on this pristine 1 200-hectare bushveld estate is a considerable pleasure with its wildlife spectators, tranquility and vast open spaces. Giraffe, zebra, eland, kudu, gemsbok, Nyala, impala, Red Hartebeest, Blue Wildebeest, warthog, bushpig and many more species could be watching while you hit an ace. Combining the wonders of golf with wildlife and the quintessential African environment is the fulfilment of a long standing dream for Peter Matkovitch. Designed to blend unobtrusively into the bush, Zebula also adheres to eco-sensitive development guidelines. Other celebrated Peter Matkovitch courses are Leopard Rock, Spier, Steenberg and Arabella, the highest ranked new course in South Africa. Zebula Country Club also features a restaurant, cocktail bar, TV lounge, swimming pool, fully equipped gymnasium, Jacuzzi, squash court and tennis courts.

A three and a half hour drive from Johannesburg will get you to the wonders of Lapalala Wilderness. This immense malaria-free privately-owned nature reserve lies in the mountains of the Waterberg. Here you are assured of a supreme bush experience and the chance of spotting black and white rhino, buffalo, zebra, blue wildebeest, sable, roan, tsessebe, impala, eland, kudu, giraffe, warthog, hippo and crocodiles. Cats to spot are leopard, Serval and genet. Now incorporated into the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, the stunning landscape is characterised by sparkling rivers winding through craggy gorges and undulating bushy hills. Brainchild of renowned conservationist Clive Walker with the assistance of Dale Parker, this sanctuary is home to rare endangered animals. This dynamic team is credited with reintroducing the critically endangered black rhino to the Limpopo.

Luminous butterflies, crooning songbirds, preening parrots and parading peacocks greet you as you enter Wild Thingz. The jungle-like park at Meropa Casino and Entertainment World is home to numerous species including birds of prey, cranes, and parrots. Eagles cast imperious stares and wide-eyed owls peer down as you venture into their domain. You could spend hours here watching the spectacle. Creepy crawly aficionados and kids will love the reptile house where you can see anacondas, pythons, mambas and other deadly critters. Wild Thingz is open Tuesday to Sunday and offers bird shows at 10:00, 11:00 and 15:00 daily and a snake demonstration at 16:00. Entrance is R10 for adults, R5 for children. +27 (0)15 290 5400