Bela-Bela

The town of Bela-Bela is situated in the heart of one of the most beautiful bushveld areas in South Africa. Falling under the jurisdiction of the Waterberg Municipality, Bela-Bela lies in the southern region of the Limpopo Province, with Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga as neighbors. Bela-Bela literally means “Boiling-Boiling”, a name taken from the hot water springs discovered in the 1800’s which have become a major attraction in the town which was previously known as Warmbaths.

The natural hot mineral springs bubble out of the ground at a rate of 22,000 liters per hour with an average temperature of 53 degrees Celsius. The water is rich in minerals, including large amounts of sodium chloride and calcium carbonate, which are believed to have curative properties. This has resulted in Bela-Bela becoming one of the most popular health resort towns in South Africa.

Visitors to Bela-Bela can expect a mild climate through the winter months and hot summer days. There are a multitude of holiday resorts and game lodges in the area, from self-catering to luxury five-star accommodation, as well as camping and caravanning spots with all amenities. The game lodges in this malaria-free area offer game drives, with many promising visitors the possibility of spotting all of the “big five” – elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, lion and leopard.

The Forever Aventura Resort in Bela-Bela is a popular tourist destination as well as being a weekend getaway for people living in nearby Johannesburg and Pretoria, two of the busiest cities in South Africa. Facilities and activities available to visitors include a hydro spa, mineral pools, wave pool, speed slide, game viewing, cable waterskiing circuit, river ride, mountain biking, horse riding, volleyball, gym facilities and restaurants. Accommodation options range from fully equipped self-catering chalets and log cabins, to hotel accommodation.

There are a number of other attractions which are within a short driving distance from Bela-Bela. A notable attraction is the Marakele National Park in the Waterberg Mountains, a refuge for the roan antelope, one of South Africa’s most endangered species. Visitors can expect to see plentiful wildlife including giraffe, hippo, impala, sable and tsessebe, as well as prolific birdlife, including the world’s largest breeding colony of Cape Vultures.

Visitors to beautiful sunny South Africa can look forward to an enjoyable and memorable experience when they visit the friendly town of Bela-Bela in the Limpopo Province.