You do not have to be a palaeontologist, a troglodyte, Sir David Attenborough or even ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin to truly appreciate time travel and the Waterberg’s rich bio-diverse experiences. Learn about prehistoric fossils blown out of caves, save the rhino, and interact with crocodiles - all a short distance from Zebula accommodation. Overlooked by the Waterberg mountain range, your trip to Zebula accommodation is not complete without a visit to Mokopane, Vaalwater and Modimolle. These three destinations invite you into a personal Animal Planet and BBC wildlife documentary experience. ‘No-one will protect what they don’t care about and no-one will care about what they have never experienced.’ [Sir David Attenborough]

Be an amateur ‘fossil hunter’

If exploring caves and listening to stories of dead bones coming alive excite you – then you may be a wannabe troglodyte (cave dweller) and amateur palaeontologist (fossil scientist) rolled into one. That is exactly what you can get up to at the Makapansgat Valley in Mokopane, just under 2 hours from Zebula accommodation. A heritage site of diverse beauty and archaeological richness, the many caves together form a national monument. In the 1920s, when local quarries were blasting these silted up caves in search of limestone, a large number of fossils were blown out of one of the caves. Upon investigation, these fossils confirmed evidence of early human settlements – from the Early Stone Age to the Iron Age.

Be a ‘wildlife explorer’

If only it were possible to bottle a little of David Attenborough’s fascination with all things wildlife. His passion for conservation and the natural world around us has filled us with awe and wonder. If you are staying at Zebula accommodation, a good place to start, is the Rhino Museum in Vaalwater. The only Rhino Museum in the world, it is wholly committed to conserving the African rhinoceros (of which 80% live in South Africa) and is a testament to eco-tourism. As a visitor to the museum, you will gain a deeper understanding of why the rhino is endangered, what can be done about it and the importance of ensuring that these large horned herbivores do not become extinct. Going on safari in the Limpopo bushveld, you are also likely to be spoilt with live sightings of rhino as the Waterberg habitat is home to the 3rd largest rhino population in South Africa. You will be fortunate to find both black and white rhino populations roaming the savannah here.

Be a ‘crocodile hunter’

Steve Irwin’s legacy as the fearless and intrepid ‘crocodile hunter’ conservationist, created a respect for crocodiles the world over. ‘The first crocodile I ever caught was at 9 years old, and it was a rescue.’ [Steve Irwin] An hour away from Zebula accommodation, you can tap into his adventurous spirit and engage with these fearsome predators at the Thaba Kwena Crocodile Farm in Modimolle. This is the largest crocodile farm in the southern hemisphere. You do not want to miss the feeding time frenzy or the opportunity to see lazy crocs on sunny rocks. ‘An understanding of the natural world and what's in it is a source of not only a great curiosity but great fulfilment’ [Sir David Attenborough] By spending time at Zebula accommodation you can take David Attenborough’s sentiment to heart. All around you are opportunities to understand the natural world and bring out your ‘inner conversationist’ - ensuring that the legacy you leave for future generations will not just be photos in albums or pictures in storybooks. For further options of adventures, experiences and things to do in or near Zebula accommodation, please read our blogs.

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