Modimolle, Waterberg

Madimolle lies north east of Bela-Bela, roughly two hours from Johannesburg in the midst of the Waterberg.

Formerly known as Nylstroom the town's history is worth recounting as it makes a good fireside story. A particularly vehement group of Voortrekkers (emigrant pioneers, mainly Dutch, who left farms, primarily in the Eastern Cape, to seek greener pastures inland), known as the Jerusalem Trekkers, left the Cape Colony during the 1860s for the interior with one intent: to find the Holy Land.

A long trek at best, the group finally reached a stream close to what they mistook for a ruined pyramid and, convinced they had found the Nile, settled along its banks – some 10 000 kilometres short of their proposed destination.

The 'pyramid' turned out to be little more than a natural hillock that the locals called Modimolle (meaning: the forefather's spirit has eaten), and the river, which they called the Nyl, is a tributary of the Mogalakwena River.

The little mountain, also known as Kranskop, is regarded as holy by local people and is said to have inspired the architect Gerhard Moerdijk whilst designing the Voortrekker Monument in the city of Pretoria.

The Dutch Reformed church that the people of Nystroom then built in 1889, is now the oldest church in sub-Saharan Africa north of Pretoria.

Despite the rather incredible beginnings, Madimolle today functions as a major support town of the Waterberg Biosphere and the farming community of the area. Its wide streets and myriad shops form a gateway to the bushveld terrain of the Waterberg Biosphere.

Local nature reserves, game reserves and wilderness areas attract wildlife and nature lovers all year round, the clusters of trees and shrubs and the beauty of the Waterberg backdrop a perfect space for city dwellers to seek down time.

In the vicinity

Hotels & other accommodation options

Things to do in the area

Noteworthy attractions

Find accommodation in Modimolle

FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Limpopo Accommodation / Bushveld Accommodation / Waterberg Accommodation / Modimolle Accommodation

Modimolle as a destination

Want to stay overnight?

Dates

When would you like to stay?
Choose dates

Number of Guests

Why book with SA-Venues.com
  • Your card is safe with us; strictest card verification in the industry and we don't store card numbers.
  • No airy fairy service fees; you save!
  • We care. Service with integrity.
  • Multiple payment methods:
    credit card, SID instant EFT, bank transfer.
  • All Modimolle property owners / managers are verified (our experience protects you from online fraud).
  • Secure your booking
Our Payment Protection Guarantee only applies if your deposit payment is made via SA-Venues.com
Destinations
South Africa. Explore. Experience. Stay

SA-Venues.com® has been assisting travellers with their South Africa travel plans since 1999, and is the largest, independent online travel guide for South Africa available in both English and German.