Alma (original) (raw)
Alma, Waterberg
We are not quite talking Putsonderwater here, but Alma is rather in the middle of nowhere, north of Bela-Bela and west of the N1 en route to Polokwane from Pretoria (Tshwane) and Johannesburg.
However, what it has as a distinct advantage is its location in a malaria free area. Alma is close enough to Gauteng for a weekend away, and close enough to see game and an abundance of bird life, without having to succumb to a course of quinine.
Alma lies just east of the Marakele National Park and south of the town of Vaalwater, connected to the latter by the R33. It is a tiny town in the midst of bushveld that stretches as far as the eye can see, interspersed only with the odd rock or flat top hills called mesas. The town's local school that educates children from surrounding farms and villages lacks cooking facilities so the midday meal is cooked over an open fire out of doors.
The joy of the area comes from the barely inhabited surrounds. Accommodation is available mainly on private game farms where thatched chalets, tented bush camps and wooden mountain cabins place one right in the midst of the beautiful Waterberg with an abundance of gorgeous trees, game on one's doorstep, dark nights and quiet days peppered only by the calls of the wild, and complete escape.
Night drives, days spent glued to binoculars tracking wild animals or simply collapsing at camp with a book in a hammock, this is what Alma has to promise.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Self Catering
Aardwolf House
Aardwolf is a luxurious 4-Bedroom holiday home in Bela Bela, situated on the stunning Zebula Golf Estate and Spa. Surrounded by a golf estate, na...
Guest House / Bed & Breakfast
Babirwa Buffalo Villa
Babirwa Buffalo Villa offers accommodation in Rooiberg at Babirwa Golf and Bush Lodge. The Ranch is set in indigenous bushveld surrounded by roll...
Self Catering
Kransberg Country Lodge
Kransberg Country Lodge is situated 25km outside the town Thabazimbi in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. The lodge has six en-suite bedrooms. Fou...
Hotel / Guest House / Bed & Breakfast
Sondela Country House
Sondela Country House is a boutique hotel in Bela Bela. The hotel is the proverbial diamond in the crown for Sondela Nature Reserve and offers ac...
Guest House / Bed & Breakfast / Self Catering
Shondoro Mountain Retreat
Nestled in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains, Shondoro Mountain Retreat is perfectly located for the weekend break or a leisurely mid-week hol...
Game Lodge
Riverdance Lodge
Set in Limpopo's magnificent Waterberg mountains and plains, just half an hour East of the charming town of Vaalwater lies a hidden gem. Riverdan...
Self Catering
Letlapa Kingfisher Lodge
Letlapa Kingfisher Lodge accommodates 10 guests in five bedrooms (with en-suite bathrooms). Three of the bedrooms consist of double beds and the ...
Self Catering
Alamo Guest Farm
Alamo Guest Farm offers self catering accommodation in a large home located in Bela Bela. The home is suitable for two larger families or a group...
Self Catering
Carlana Holiday Accommodation
Carlana Holiday Accommodation offers ten fully furnished one and two bedroom units in Bela Bela. All units have a fully equipped kitchen with fri...
Things to do in the area
Hiking Trails
Rhenosterpoort Hiking Trail
Start: private game farm at the base of the Jan Trichards Pass in the Waterberg MountainsFinish: base campDuration: 2 daysFitness: moderately fit...
Noteworthy attractions
Game Reserves
Welgevonden Game Reserve
The Malaria free Welgevonden Game Reserve is situated just 2.5 hours north of Pretoria. Welgevonden Game Reserve is a declared Heritage Site of 3...
National Parks
Marakele National Park
The Marakele National Park in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains has become a 'place of sanctuary' for a vast variety of wildlife mainly due to...
Game Reserves
Mabalingwe Nature Reserve
Spread over more than 12 000 hectares of softly rolling hills, the malaria-free Mabalingwe Game reserve is host to the big 5, and also hippo, gir...
Game Reserves
Mabula Game Reserve
Only two short hours drive North of Johannesburg lies the African wonder that is Mabula Private Game Reserve. This 12000ha of malaria free reserv...
Game Reserves
Lapalala Wilderness
Lapalala Game Reserve, today one of the largest private game reserves in South Africa, was established to safeguard a unique eco-system with 77 k...
Lakes / Dams
Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve
The beautiful Doorndraai Dam nature reserve, set in amongst the foothills of the Waterberg south west of Potgietersrus, includes, as its name sug...
Golf Courses
Zebula Country Club
This pristine 660-hectare bushveld estate boasts a sensational new world class Peter Matkovich designed golf course. It is also home to a variety...
Game Reserves
Kololo Private Game Reserve
Kololo Game Reserve is situated in the beautiful province of Limpopo, South Africa, in the heart of the Waterberg biosphere. Vast, peaceful and i...
Nature Reserves
Nylsvley Nature Reserve
The Nylsvley Nature Reserve is situated in the upper reaches of the Nyl River near the town of Naboomspruit in Limpopo, and includes part of the ...
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