Jobedi Game Reserve

Welcomes You to the

Waterberg Bioshpere Reserve

The Waterberg Biosphere reserve received its international status in March 2001 and now forms part of the World network of biosphere reserves, registered with UNESCO.  The Waterberg Biosphere is the first “savannah” biosphere reserve registered in southern Africa.  It’s unique biodiversity features and cultural aspects make this a special place to visit and live in.

The Waterberg… so named by the early trekkers for its bounteous supply of clear water.  Eugene Marais, the noted author and father of African ecology, observed that the passage of wagons was impeded by the enormous amount of water to be found throughout the region.  The name apt, for in times of good rain, one will find a continual seepage and flow of water from within these mountain ranges.

Straddling an area of some 15000 square kilometers in the Limpopo Province, it has largely gone unnoticed for the past eighty years.  Within its brooding mountain ranges it had a reputation for gun runners, tax evaders and hunters to be followed by serious minded pioneer folk and their families, who set down deep roots within these hills and plateaux.

I predicted some years ago that the Waterberg would yet emerge as one of the most important and significant conservation areas in South Africa with the greatest potential for tourism, game ranching, hunting and environmental awareness.  The diversity of both plant and animal life is considerable.  Whilst recognizing that most of the big game species were eliminated by the turn of the century, conservation has seen the return of the elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, lion and all the major species of antelope.

It has beauty unmatched, from its soaring craggy heights on the southern escarpment with the Seven Sisters guarding the plains, to the north-eastern buttresses of spectacular rock formations, rising shear out of the bushveld plains.  The central plateau provides a stunning feeling of emptiness and yet man has lived within these mountains for the past 2000 years – its cultural diversity is its greatest asset.

The challenge is to create a conservation area of international importance to the benefit of both the environment and man.  Great strides have already taken place with the environment of the 15000 square kilometer Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, the largest savannah biosphere reserve in Africa.

Vision

The central vision for the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve is to maximize this unique area’s considerable potential for conservation, sustainable development and social upliftment.  In broad terms this will entail developing the area as a premier tourist destination, building a conservation and sustainable-use ethic, which can then be effectively monitored, actively spreading benefits and opportunities to poorer members of the community, and facilitating relevant research, education and skills in the area.