Nestled within the picturesque Waterberg district, Bela-Bela stands as a gateway to economic opportunity and sustainable growth. With its rich natural assets, thriving tourism sector, and agricultural potential, the municipality offers a compelling landscape for tourism and investment. Tourism continues to be the cornerstone of Bela-Bela's economy, leveraging its natural hot springs, wildlife reserves, and resort infrastructure. Tourism and related services account for a significant portion of local output potentially over 35-40% of Bela-Bela's economy. This sector also supports a large portion of informal employment, particularly in accommodation, hospitality, and community-based tourism enterprises.

In 2023, Bela-Bela Local Municipality recorded total tourism spending of R1.74 billion, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 9.3%. The tourism spending as a percentage of GDP was 25.49% in Bela-Bela compared to 8.85% in Waterberg District Municipality and 6.81% in Limpopo Province for the year 2023.

From 2019 to 2023, domestic tourism in Bela-Bela showed a steady increase rising from 112,000 tourists in 2019 to 138,000 in 2023. In contrast, international tourism fluctuated by starting at 81,600 in 2019 and dipping to a low of 16,100 in 2021, before it showed recovery in 2023 with 48,400.

Where are Tourism Activities in Bela-Bela

Tourism activities in the municipality are concentrated in three main areas. These include:

• The Forever Resort and nearby lodges around Bela-Bela
• The Rust der Winter Nature Reserve area to the south, which connects to the Dinokeng Nature Reserve in Gauteng province
• A variety of facilities along route R516 (west) between Bela-Bela and Thabazimbi, and along route R101 from Bela-Bela towards Modimolle

The Bela-Bela municipal area offers three main types of tourism-related facilities:

Where to stay

The accommodation options in Bela-Bela cater to a wide range of visitors, offering something for every type of traveler. From tranquil, no-frills nature reserves that allow guests to immerse themselves in the serenity of nature without distractions like TV or Wi-Fi, to luxurious 5-star graded reserves that provide top-tier amenities and a wealth of activities. These premium reserves ensure guests experience the perfect blend of comfort and adventure by offering exceptional facilities and entertainment while staying close to the beauty of the natural environment. Whether seeking simplicity or opulence, Bela-Bela's accommodations offer a variety of experiences to suit every preference.

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What to do

The map below highlights the locations of various tourism activities including nature reserves, adventure and outdoor experiences, sporting facilities, hiking trails, and spa and wellness centers. The following section provides detailed information about each of these attractions, along with contact details for the respective establishments. This section is essential for categorising attractions as it allows for a clearer understanding of the types of tourists likely to be drawn to Bela-Bela.

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Rust De Winter Nature Reserve Sondela Nature Reserve Ben Alberts Nature Reserve Mabalingwe Nature Reserve Marakele National Park ZA Cheetah Experience Zebula Golf Estate and Spa Bambela Wildlife Care Farm Mabula Game Reserve Tilodi Wilderness Thaba Monate Game Lodge Adventures with Elephants

In recent years tourism has replaced agricultural activities. Tourism is the main source of income for the Bela-Bela area. Many game farms occupied the land where agricultural farming use to take place. Bela-Bela which means boiling-boiling is sunny all year round and also a desirable place for pensioners who account for approximately 65% of the town's white population

The Town

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The town is surrounded by hotels, lodges, guesthouses, nature reserves and game ranches. Since 1830 people have come to Bela-Bela to wallow in the natural mineral baths which contain healing properties and now over a million tourists visit Bela-Bela annually.

The Climate

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The climate is very mild throughout the year with a slight difference between winter and summer. Summer is warm and rainy with hot winds blowing from the northwest. In winter, the weather is dry and cloudless with cool to warm days and cold nights. The average temperature is between 12 and 39.

Historical & Other Places of Interest Mineral springs; Aventura; Grave of Christina Pretorius; British Blockhouse; Carousel Casino and Entertainment World; Mokopa Reptile Park; Thaba Kwena Crocodile Farm; Bela-Bela Dam; Bela-Bela Waterfront; 4 x 4 routes; Game and hunting farms.

Historical & Other Places of Interest Mineral springs; Aventura;Grave of Christina Pretorius; British Blockhouse; Carousel Casino and Entertainment World; Mokopa Reptile Park; Thaba Kwena Crocodile Farm; Bela-Bela Dam; Bela-Bela Waterfront; 4 x 4 routes; Game and hunting farms.

Tourism is a major contributor to the economy of Bela-Bela Municipality and cognizance must be taken of the environmental uniqueness of the region. Bela-Bela (Warmbaths) is situated on the main highway from Gauteng to the Limpopo Province and Zimbabwe. It's famous as a holiday and health resort, owing to the renowned hot minerals which produce 22 000 litres of water hourly at temperature of 50 °C. This natural resource is under the management of Aventura Resorts.

The Municipality incorporates wetland areas next to the Bospoort stream and Klein Kariba River, and south of the Aventura Resort. It also incorporates numerous game and nature reserves that are popular tourists destinations. These include Mabula, the award winning and internationally acclaimed Mabalingwe, Bonwa Phala, Kunkuru and Sondela.