Discover Vaalwater

The town offers arts and crafts activities and is home to Waterberg Wildlife Sanctuary; allow for a separate drive to reach the hiking trails at Lindani. The turnoff to Lindani is about 38 kilometres from Vaalwater. The activities therefore differ both in character and in their connection to your place of stay.

Arts and crafts in Vaalwater

You can visit Kamotsogo Craft Art in Vaalwater. If you would like to include this stop in your stay, check the opening details in advance. Ria’s Pottery Studio offers pottery and bisque painting classes. Advance booking is requested for classes; also confirm current availability before scheduling a firm date. The two types of class have different focuses: pottery centres on shaping the material, while painting lets you decorate bisque ware. This can help you choose a class based on the kind of creative activity you prefer. There is a tea garden next to the studio, serving food and drinks. If you would like to combine it with your studio visit, check in advance whether it will be open during your visit.

Wildlife care and guided experiences

Waterberg Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Vaalwater and provides lifetime, safe care for predators that cannot return to the wild. The facility does not breed animals and does not allow direct contact with the predators. Guided experiences offer insights into rescued predators, wildlife and the Waterberg ecosystem. Day visitors and overnight guests can take part by booking in advance. If you are planning a day visit, book ahead and confirm the specific visiting arrangements directly with the sanctuary.

Another wildlife-related destination is outside the town: Jugomaro Predator Park is 5.2 kilometres from Vaalwater. The sanctuary is home to rescued lions, tigers, caracals and a wolf. By comparison, Waterberg Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Vaalwater and provides lifetime, safe care; it does not breed animals or allow direct contact. The destinations therefore differ both in location and in focus. Check the current visitor arrangements at Jugomaro directly with the park before visiting.

Hiking trails at Lindani

For hiking, however, head to Lindani: the turnoff is about 38 kilometres from Vaalwater, and the trails are not in the town. At Lindani, you can choose between different trail types and lengths: four marked circular routes from 6 to 12 kilometres, or the 1-kilometre out-and-back Tree Walk. This makes it easy to see whether you would like to include a marked circular route or the shorter out-and-back walk in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Thohoyandou, Tzaneen, Polokwane.

Return to the main travel overview: Northern Province.