Bushwillow Cottage

Accommodation Description

Situated at the foot of Marula Hill on the 3,487-hectare Summerplace Game Reserve, Bushwillow is a self-catering home for up to four guests. The two-bedroom layout features a king-sized bed in each room - convertible to twin singles - with en-suite bathrooms, 100% cotton linen, and quality towels throughout. The open-plan living area includes a fully equipped kitchen and a comfortable lounge that opens onto a covered stoep, drawing the outdoors in. After a day on the reserve, the wood-fired Kol Kol hot tub is where the evening belongs — use it warm under the stars or cool during lazy afternoons. The on-site restaurant, led by award-winning chef and chocolatier Dylan Jonsson, serves breakfasts, lunches and wood-fired pizzas daily, with a prebooked three-course dinner available for those wanting something more indulgent. Housekeeping is available on request.

Setting Description

Bushwillow sits within the UNESCO-accredited Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, one of South Africa's most ecologically diverse and undervisited bush destinations. The reserve spans terrain between 1,293 and 1,516 metres above sea level, with mixed Waterberg mountain bushveld hosting more than 400 tagged tree species and over 150 recorded bird species. Wildlife here is genuinely special - Summerplace is one of the few reserves in South Africa where wild roan antelope, tsessebe and sable can be seen freely roaming. Giraffe, eland, kudu, mountain reedbuck and zebra are regular sightings. The reserve offers over 160km of signed trails for mountain biking, trail running and guided walks, all accessible without a guide. Vaalwater is the closest town, approximately 15 minutes away, with Johannesburg a roughly three-hour drive.

What We Love

-Wood-fired Kol Kol hot tub - a genuine highlight for evenings under the Waterberg sky

-One of the few places in South Africa to see wild roan antelope, tsessebe and sable on an open reserve

-Over 160km of mountain bike and hiking trails, all freely accessible to guests

-Award-winning on-site restaurant led by chef Dylan Jonsson - from wood-fired pizzas to curated three-course dinners

-Private, self-catering home that sleeps four with full kitchen and covered stoep

-Part of the 3,487-hectare UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve

-Uncapped WiFi and no load-shedding disruptions