Bela Bela, Waterberg
Just under two hours' drive due north of Johannesburg is Bela-Bela - place of the warm baths. Which, indeed, used to be its name. Warmbaths.
Bela-Bela offers accommodation close to Johannesburg (about two hours’ drive), while still enjoying the more laid-back pace of the Waterberg for those after a relaxing holiday in South Africa. This is the “place of the warm baths”. In fact, its name used to be Warmbaths, more often called Warmbad, an Afrikaans translation. Loosely translated from the Tswana word, Bela-Bela means pretty much the same thing – 'water that boils on its own' or ‘The pot that boils'. The hot springs reach 53 degrees Celsius, and claim multiple minerals and beneficial curative properties. You will find them in the Forever Resorts downtown, where a series of swimming pools and water slides confine the water.
Lying in the heart of the Waterberg, surrounded by nature reserves and bushveld-type countryside, Bela-Bela continues to derive most of its economic benefit from the springs with a range of wellness centres, and spas. The myriad conservancies, wilderness areas and game farms combine to form the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve – a beautiful part of the Limpopo province.
There are numerous reasons Bela-Bela is as popular as it is (avoid the town during peak season if your idea of a holiday is peace and solitude). It is only an hour from Pretoria, it is great for family holidays – children-friendly venues abound – and its mild climate means that you are almost guaranteed of sunshine.
Add the allure of the Big 5 to this line-up (many of the game farms in the area include elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard) and you can understand why it would be a winning combination, particularly as it is also a malaria-free region.
Bela-Bela is well equipped for visitors with restaurants, coffee shops, its own Waterfront, random and interesting roadside stalls on the R101 and nearby nature reserves that include the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, one of the best places for spotting birds in the country.
Travellers' Reviews
2 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
ITS A GREAT PLACE
tumelo (johannesburg)
Verified review
Got to love the hot springs at Bela Bela
Michelle (Cape Town)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options

Lala Bela Guesthouse
Situated in the scenic little town of Bela Bela, Lala Bela Guesthouse offers comfortable self-catering accommodation with a 'home-away-from-home'...

Kudu Cottage
Relax with family or friends around the swimming pool area and enjoy a game of pool, foosball or darts. For the smaller kids, Ithabiseng has a ‘k...

Elephant Lodge 267-8
Elephant Lodge 267-8 is on the Mabalingwe Nature Reserve in Bela Bela. Mabalingwe Elephant Lodge has a restaurant, a kids' club, bar, garden, yea...

Ditholo Game Lodge
Ditholo Game Lodge offers luxury accommodation in Bela Bela. Your stay includes dinner, bed and breakfast as well as a complimentary welcome dri...

Tadima Lodge
Tadima Lodge is a self catering villa offering accommodation in Mabula in the Limpopo province. The lodge is 11km from Feracare Nature Reserve an...

Shala Mushe Tented Camp
Shala Mushe Tented Camp offers accommodation with fantastic views of the Springbok plains and the peacefulness of the bushveld will leave guests ...

Elephant Lodge Self Catering
Elephant Lodge Self Catering is located in the Mabalingwe Nature Reserve in Limpopo. The lodge offers accommodation with plenty of activities for...

Benin Boudoir
Benin Boudoir is a self-catering cottage located on sprawling grounds in the remote, town of Rooiberg in Limpopo. The allure of Rooiberg as a qua...


Newburg Luxury Bush Tents
Newburg Luxury Bush Tents offer accommodation in Bela Bela on Newburg Farm. The farm is operated as a game farm and has a variety of animals. The...

Phumelelo Lodge
Phumelelo Lodge is an authentic African experience offering exclusive but affordable luxury en-suite accommodation in air-conditioned and heated ...

Zwartkloof Tented Camp
Zwartkloof Tented Camp is located on the Zwartkloof Private Game Reserve. Our game reserve basks in an exceptional nature beauty and plenty of wi...


Feeskraal Lodge
Feeskraal Lodge is an beautiful bushveld holiday home set in the Waterberg with the most enviable views. This air-conditioned property is located...

Summerset Place Country House
This unique bushveld jewel is set against the foot of the Waterberg and neighboured by a private game reserve. Summerset Place Country House has ...

Langkloof Mountain House
Langkloof Mountain House is probably the best kept secret in the Waterberg. This exquisite French inspired paradise offers Bela Bela accommodatio...

Kudus Rest
Kudus Rest Game Lodge is a beautiful and tranquil game lodge is situated just outside Bella Bella, in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. It is...

Elements 109
Elements 109 is located on the Elements Private Golf Estate in the Waterberg Region of Limpopo. Escape from the city, rejuvenate, relax, enjoy go...

Re a Lora Lodge
For a unique bushveld experience, with privacy and unexpected luxury book the Re a Lora Lodge! This is an exclusive family friendly self-catering...

Bonwa Phala Game Lodge
If you are looking for a rustic and affordable private bushveld breakaway venue then you may wish to consider the Bush Lodge or the Tented Camp a...

Newburg Lodge
Newburg Lodge offers accommodation in Bela Bela on Newburg Farm. The farm is operated as a game farm and has a variety of animals. The town centr...

Elements Bush Villa 216
Elements Bush Villa 216 is an amazing bush villa in the magnificent Waterberg area. Very few golf estates in South Africa can match Elements Priv...

ArendSig Villa
ArendSig Villa is a 5 star private villa located in the Mabula Game Reserve in the Waterberg Mountains. The area is renowned for its liberating w...

Bergsig Eco Estate
At Bergsig Eco Estate the classic unspoiled bushveld atmosphere has been preserved and plays perfect host to the comfortable accommodation with a...

Sondela Moselesele Tent Camp
Sondela Moselesele Tent Camp is located in the Sondela Nature Reserve in Bela Bela. The accommodation is carefully tucked away in between indigen...

Idwala View Lodge
Situated in Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, Idwala View Lodge offers accommodation for up to 12 guests. Here you are able to relax and enjoy your surr...

Paradise Lodge
Paradise Lodge is a lovely self catering house located in the Mabalingwe Nature Reserve. During your stay there are a number of things to do with...

Golden Lantern Guest House
Golden Lantern Guest House is a home that will exceed your expectations and at the same time surrounds you in comfort and quality. This charming ...

Lejwa La Metsi
Lejwe La Metsi guarantees you comfort and extravagance. Each luxury suite, strategically positioned amid foliage for maximum privacy, has beautif...

Klein Boland
Klein Boland is a self catering establishment on a smallholding 20km outside Bela Bela (Warmbaths). Guests are accommodated in a fully equipped f...

Zebula 106
Zebula 106 is a beautiful holiday home located in the Zebula Golf Estate in the Waterberg. This unrivalled bush, golf, and spa destination is loc...

SunStay Garden Cottage
SunStay Garden Holiday Cottage in Rooiberg sleeps up to four guests in an open plan studio style space. The cottage is furnished with a Queen-siz...

Hide Away Estate
Hide Away Estate is nestled in the Waterberg Mountain Range just north of Bela Bela and offers self catering accommodation for the perfect breaka...

Klip en Kristal Guest House
Relax and unwind at our guest house while enjoying everything Bela Bela has to offer - beautiful surroundings, mineral hot baths, fauna and flora...

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...

ATKV Klein-Kariba
Just outside the town of Bela-Bela, some 90 minutes from Johannesburg and an hour's drive from Pretoria, lies the inviting ATKV Klein-Kariba reso...

Safari Plains
Safari Plains is set against the backdrop of the magnificent Waterberg Mountain Range in the Limpopo Province. The beauty of its wide-open savann...

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...

Langkloof Toera House
Hidden amidst the Langkloof bush lies a treasure that has yet to be discovered. Langkloof Toera House offers Bela Bela accommodation with a disti...

Buyskop Lodge
Buyskop Lodge offers accommodation in unique self-catering chalets. All of this and more situated on a private game reserve in the malaria-free p...

Warthog Lodge
Warthog Lodge offers you the best way to experience amazing African wildlife in the malaria-free Mabalingwe Nature Reserve. Decorated with a dist...

Thornwood Lodge
Thornwood Lodge is situated in the southern Waterberg, in the Cyferfontein district of Bela Bela in Limpopo. We are a lovely, self catering venue...

Lodge Lucanus
Lodge Lucanus is located 24kms from Bela Bela in the Waterberg region of Limpopo. Situated in the mountains, it allows guests the opportunity to ...

Jameela Lodge
Jameela Lodge is a fully furnished lodge situated on Mabalingwe Nature Reserve outside Bela Bela. This lodge sleeps up to ten guests. There is a ...

Impala Cottage
Impala Cottage offers accommodation in Bela Beal on Ithabiseng Guest Farm. This a unique guest farm in Limpopo, in the heart of the unspoiled sav...

Rooiberg Resort
Rooiberg Resort offers accommodation in Rooiberg, in the heart of South Africa's serene bushveld. It offers an ideal setting for a tranquil holid...

Hillside Lodge
Hillside Lodge is located on the Elements Private Golf Reserve in Bela Bela, Limpopo. This unique golf estate is 130km north of Pretoria....

El Rancho Grande
El Rancho Grande is a resort offering self catering accommodation in Bela bela, in comfortable chalets with access to a pool, restaurant, bar and...

Tree Tops View Lodge
Tree Tops View Lodge is a fully self catering family bush house situated in the Mabalingwe Nature Reserve near Bela Bela. The lodge has a strong ...

Leopards Rock Bush Boutique
Located on a cliff, in the Waterberg region and just 30 minutes from Bela Bela, Leopards Rock Bush Boutique offers accommodation in four self cat...

The Villa Apartments
The Villa Apartments are self catering apartments located at The Villa Manor, which is the perfect place to explore the Wagterberg region. Bela-B...

Elephant Springs
Break away to the Elephant Springs Hotel, where you will find the perfect setting for a holiday or conference, trimmed with unique luxury and tru...

Lejwa La Metsi Bush Villa
Lejwe La Metsi Bush Villa is a luxury holiday home in Bela Bela in the Lejwe La Metsi Private Retreat. The villa has three opulent en-suite bedro...

Elephant Lodge 267-7
Elephant Lodge 267-7 is located in Bela Bela on the Mabalingwe Nature Reserve. Mabalingwe Elephant Lodge has a restaurant, a kids' club, bar, gar...

Shammah Lodge
Shammah Lodge is located within the Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, near the town of Bela-Bela. This stunning holiday home offers accommodation in thi...

Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp
Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp offers five luxurious tents each with a private deck overlooking the plains where you can have up close and personal...

Itaga Private Game Lodge
Nestling in the shadows of the Waterberg Mountains, near Bela-Bela, Itaga Private Game Lodge is located in the greater Mabalingwe Nature Reserve ...

VlakkiesKraal Bush House
VlakkiesKraal Guest Farm is a self-catering bush house which can accommodate six guests. The holiday house in Bela Bela offers a real chance to r...

Monyane Bush Lodge
Tucked away in the Waterberg approximately 90 minutes' drive from Johannesburg, lies Monyane. This small, unspoilt bush lodge was created for enj...

Hoogland Spa Resort
Hoogland Spa Resort is the perfect getaway location in the heart of Bela-Bela, in Limpopo. With quality accommodation and a host of great on site...

Mabula Game Lodge
Only two hours drive North of Johannesburg lies the African wonder that is Mabula Private Game Reserve. This 12000ha of malaria free reserve is h...

Sitruskloof Adventure Cottage
Sitruskloof Adventure Cottage offers accommodation in Bela Bela on a working orange farm. Guest can enjoy the wide array of birds, bush buck, zeb...

Wild & Free Game Lodge
Wild & Free Game Lodge offers accommodation in the unspoilt reaches of the South African malaria-free bushveld on the southern foothills of the W...

Duiker Lodge 17
Duiker Lodge is located within Ditholo Wildlife Estate, a 100-hectare of pristine indigenous African forest, preserved with a variety of fauna an...

Bateleur Nature Reserve
Bateleur Nature Reserve offers accommodation in Modimolle and is famous for its SAHTOA accredited Stamvrug Hiking Trails which consist of seven d...

Loebies Guestfarm & Predator Park
Loebies Guestfarm & Predator Park allows you to experience an incredible getaway at a predator park where you can wake up to the roar of the lion...

Thandile Country Lodge
Thandile Country Lodge (the oldest farmhouse in Bela Bela) provides accommodation and mouth watering breakfasts to her guests. The game farm is h...

Zebula Golf Estate 534
Zebula Golf Estate 534 is a self catering home located on the Zebula Golf Estate in Bela Bela. The home is ideal for large groups or families loo...

The Villa Manor
The Villa Manor is the perfect base from which to explore the Waterberg region and offers accommodation in a serene and tranquil environment. Cen...

Langkloof Game Farm
Langkloof Mountain House is one of the best kept secret in the Waterberg. It offers complete privacy for nature lovers. Enjoy a carefree stay in ...

Mabalingwe Uzuri Lodge
Uzuri is set high in the hills, affording views of the valley and the majestic Waterberg Mountains. It is luxuriously equipped and situated in a ...

Kudu Lodge
Kudu Lodge is located within Ditholo Wildlife Estate, a 1000 hectare area of pristine African forest set against the beautiful backdrop of the Wa...

Ithabiseng Guest Farm
Ithabiseng Guest Farm is home to much of South Africa's birdlife, a selection of reptiles and mammals. The establishment offers accommodation in ...

Blesbok Cottage
Blesbok Cottage Holiday Home in Bela Bela sleeps five guests in two bedrooms. Relax with family or friends around the swimming pool area and enj...

La Campagna Olive Estate
La Campagna Olive Estate is an olive estate in Modimolle, Limpopo and offers accommodation for up to thirty seven guests. The estate is 15km from...

Zwartkloof Lodge
Zwartkloof Lodge offers Bela Bela self catering at the Zwartkloof Private Game Reserve. Our game reserve basks in an exceptional nature beauty an...

La Bella B&B
Located in Bela Bela, La Bella B&B offers tranquil accommodation which is close to shops, restaurants and a variety of exciting activities and po...

Hornbill Private Lodge
Hornbill Private Lodge offers comfortable self catering accommodation in Bela Bela. This discrete family orientated, eight bed game lodge is situ...

Thaba Pitsi Safari Lodge
Thaba Pitsi Safari Lodge has a proud reputation as an exclusive lodge of understated elegance, offering luxurious 'Out of Africa' tents and Ndebe...

303 Elements
303 Elements offers Waterberg self catering in a lovely four-bedroom lodge situated in Elements Private Golf Reserve, with views of the bushveld ...


Makhato 84 Bush Lodge
Makhato 84 Bush Lodge offers self catering accommodation in a luxury bush lodge in the Sondela Game Reserve. The lodge sleeps up to eight guests ...

Entokozweni Game Lodge
Entokozweni Game Lodge is a magnificent self-catering lodge that is located within the Mabula Game Reserve. The lodge is well equipped with a var...



Gweda Lodge
Gweda Lodge is situated in the Mabalingwe game reserve. A unique game reserve located only one and a half hours drive north of Pretoria in the ma...

Shanghai Silk House
Shanghai Silk House holiday home in Waterberg is decorated in luxurious shades of red. This spacious open plan style, self catering suite blends ...

Zebula Luxury Lodge
Zebula Luxury Lodge is a double storey thatched lodge providing accommodation on the Zebula Golf Estate in Mabula in the Waterberg Region of Limp...

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...
Things to do in the area

The Shack Restaurant
Originally known as The Pancake Shack, The Shack has evolved into an exciting bar and restaurant where there’s always a vibe! A small but much-ne...

L'abri Farm Shop and Tea Garden
L'abri Farm Shop is located 37 km from Bela-Bela, off the Thabazimbi road (R516). Turn right at Diepdrift, and then left at Cyferfontein.Stop at...

L'abri Fountain Brewery
If you’re a fan of beer, or a lover of craft beer, you need to pay L'abri Fountain Brewery a visit. A farm pub with a difference, L'abri offers a...

Dros Bela Bela
Dros is a firm favorite chain restaurant with a difference, that is proudly South African. Expect a bustling atmosphere, cheers from the sport's ...

Elements Restaurant
Bela Bela is one of the most highly regarded golf destinations in Limpopo, complete with its own upmarket restaurant.Offering sumptuous breakfast...

Game Activities at Thaba Pitsi
When staying at Thaba Pitsi Nature Reserve, accompanied by an experienced game-ranger, guests can explore and experience the African bush in an o...

Ocean Basket in Bela Bela
Ocean Basket is South Africa's most loved seafood restaurant, which offers the combination of a relaxed and unpretentious family-friendly environ...

Panarottis in Bela-Bela
Panarottis is one of South Africa's favorite Italian-influenced family-friendly chain restaurants, offering a relaxing environment and everyone's...

Tacoma Spur
Spur Steak Ranches are South Africa's most beloved chain of family restaurants - and with over 237 branches, almost every town has one. Anyone wh...
Noteworthy attractions

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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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