The red beds of shale and sandstone, so characteristic of the Waterberg, were laid down by continental deposition around 1.8 billion years ago, and are very early evidence of an oxygenated atmosphere around our planet. The Waterberg Massif has an abundance of iron and manganese that gives the sedimentary rocks their distinctive red, orange and purple hues, which glow in the setting sun.
Approximately 6 000 square kilometres of the Waterberg has been turned into a conservation area with elephants, white rhino, leopard and buffalo as local residents. There are over 300 – a bird watchers paradise – a bird watchers paradise.

The magnificent diversity of the Waterberg is evident both in the natural environment which incorporates a range of habitats and in the facilities and attraction available. The region boasts and abundance of wildlife – including the Big Five – and many ecotourism adventure opportunities in the area since 250 years ago, but it is unlikely that high human population densities were ever achieved. The first white travellers arrived in 1808, and settled farms were established from around 1845. Since then, however both cattle farming and agriculture have become sub-economic, and although a few specialized farming enterprises remain based on exceptionally good management and permanent water, conventional farming has largely been replaced by hunting and wildlife tourism.
The Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, a malaria free game reserve, is a declared Heritage site and now part of a greater conservancy area of 1000 000 hectares of game sanctuary incorporating Marakele National Park and is home to an impressive variety of Fauna and Flora, immensely interesting cultural and geological history, spectacular Waterberg scenery, excellent game viewing and bird life in the lush green of summer. Crystal clear streams have, over the millennia, carved the scenic topography of the Waterberg mountain wilderness.

Three rivers transect the reserve, meandering quietly through densely wooded areas on their way to the mighty Limpopo river, where Lion and Elephant now roam freely after almost a century. Rock art sites dating as far back as 2000 years can be found in Welgevonden and the greater Waterberg area.

The attractive terrain is in the rusty-red foothills of the Waterberg, whose pleats and folds are thickly layered with bush willow. Narrow valleys of golden rocks course with streams and a variety of fauna including succulents like Euphorbia candelabra, whose name gives away its shape.