Izintaba Private Game Reserve - Giraffe Cottage
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Izintaba Private Game Reserve - Giraffe Cottage
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Giraffe Cottage 4 bedroom 10 sleeper
Max 11 Guests
1 King, 1 King, 2 Single, 5 Single
from R2,880
/ for 2 guests
Braai / Barbeque
Bath
Patio
Fully-equipped kitchen
Fireplace
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Reviews
Patricia
Stayed at: Izintaba Private Game Reserve - Giraffe Cottage
Loved spotting the giraffe
The cottage was spotless and had everything we needed. We saw giraffes right outside our patio!
Jabu
Stayed at: Izintaba Private Game Reserve - Giraffe Cottage
Perfect quiet bush holiday
Perfect spot for a quiet getaway—loved the fireplace and evening walks.
Patricia
Stayed at: Izintaba Private Game Reserve - Giraffe Cottage
Loved spotting the giraffe
The cottage was spotless and had everything we needed. We saw giraffes right outside our patio!
Jabu
Stayed at: Izintaba Private Game Reserve - Giraffe Cottage
Perfect quiet bush holiday
Perfect spot for a quiet getaway—loved the fireplace and evening walks.
Accommodation Description
Giraffe Cottage at Izintaba Private Game Reserve is a peaceful, self-catering hideaway designed for couples, families, or small groups seeking privacy and a true bush experience. This comfortable stone cottage features well-proportioned bedrooms, modern bathrooms, a cosy lounge with an indoor fireplace, and an open-plan kitchen equipped for extended stays. A spacious covered patio with braai facilities and outdoor dining area opens to scenic bushveld views, ideal for wildlife spotting or unwinding at sunset.
As part of the larger Izintaba Private Game Reserve, guests enjoy access to 1,200 hectares of malaria-free wilderness, abundant wildlife, and inviting walking and cycling trails. The reserve’s owner-managed ethos ensures a personalised stay and warm hospitality, while the cottage’s thoughtful amenities provide the perfect balance of comfort and immersion in nature. There are 7 cottages in total and 1 communal boma and guest pool on the property.
Setting Description
Giraffe Cottage is set in a tranquil corner of Izintaba Private Game Reserve, surrounded by open savannah and acacia woodland. The reserve is celebrated for its pristine Waterberg landscapes, where giraffe, zebra, kudu, and other plains game roam freely. Guests can step directly from the cottage onto private trails for game viewing, birdwatching, or simply soaking up the sights and sounds of the bush.
The reserve’s undisturbed setting promises quiet seclusion, while the dramatic backdrop of the Waterberg Mountains frames every sunrise and sunset. Conveniently located near Vaalwater, the property makes a superb base for exploring the wider region’s natural and cultural attractions, from Big 5 reserves to mountain passes.
What We Love
- -Private setting surrounded by wildlife and natural bush
- -Cosy indoor fireplace for cool Waterberg evenings
- -Patio with braai and panoramic bushveld views
- -Owner-managed reserve with a welcoming, personal touch
- -Direct access to walking and mountain biking trails
See also: 15-sleeper Izintaba Lodge; 4-sleeper Duiker Cottage, 8-sleeper Kudu Cottage, 6-sleeper Zebra Cottage, 4-sleeper Bushbuck Cottage and 2-sleeper Guineafowl Cottage.
Activities
Self-guided walking trails
Game drives
Birdwatching
Bush sundowners
Stargazing
This rugged clime, where you find very few tarred roads or human interference to mar your visit, is possibly one of the closest to an authentic African savannah experience one can find.
The Waterberg is the first region in the north of South Africa identified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the incredible rock formations in evidence were shaped over hundreds of millions of years by riverine erosion. This recognition goes some way to impart the beauty of this lesser known part of the country – its incredible scenery, often accentuated by late afternoon thunder storms, plummeting mountain gorges, clear streams, and rolling bushveld. That a group of Dutch travellers set on finding Jerusalem from Cape Town mistook the Waterberg for Egypt is understandable.
A large portion of the Waterberg’s bushveld country has been given over to the conservation of elephants, white rhino, leopard and buffalo. Land owners have restored land overgrazed by cattle, to attract and protect antelope, giraffe, hippo and other species, with an accompanying rise in the trend of eco-tourism, and the marketing of the Waterberg as prime game country – the Marakele National Park, near Thabazimbi, is well worth a visit, as are other game farms in the area.
The Waterberg has an extensive history with evidence of the first human ancestors as early as three million years ago. Closer to our history, the San, who produced beautiful rock paintings at Lapalala, entered the Waterberg about two thousand years ago.
Children's play area
Secured parking
Free parking
Outdoor Pool
BBQ / picnic area
Wi-Fi
Wifi Yes, public areas only
With a variety of wildlife and habitats, stunning vistas, seasonal rivers and waterfalls, Izintaba is the perfect destination for those who love the outdoors and the freedom to enjoy the bush at their own pace. Pack your mountain bikes, walking shoes, fishing rods and binoculars for an activity-filled bush getaway, far from the stress of city life, or just bring a book and a bathing costume and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Waterberg bush.
The reserve has over 40 mammal species including a variety of antelope and the elusive aardvark, bat-eared foxes and honey badger. With no dangerous animals on the property, it is safe to walk, hike and cycle on your own along the marked trails. Guests can also choose a guided game drive in a 4X4 vehicle with an experienced, knowledgeable ranger or use their own vehicles for their own private game drives.
The Waterberg area is a bird-lover’s paradise, with over 200 species of birds found in the area, where you are bound to spot numerous bird varieties.
Izintaba is perfect for families. Younger children will love the jungle gym, and children of all ages will enjoy the large swimming pool and boat on the dam, and the opportunity to have an up-close-and-personal bush experience.
Accommodation is spacious, clean and comfortable. The seven cottages are fully-equipped for self-catering purposes and are comfortably furnished. Each cottage has a patio with views over the bushveld and private lapas and braai areas for al fresco dining. All the cottages have indoor fireplaces.
Guests who don’t want to cook can choose to eat breakfast or dinner in the dining room, where the delicious menus include a 3-course dinner, potjiekos and a traditional bush braai or barbecue.
Izintaba, which means ‘a place in the mountains’ is blessed with a temperate climate all year round. Leave the city stress behind you and come and enjoy true peace and tranquility in the malaria-free Waterberg bush.
Location
50km outside Vaalwater, towards Melkrivier Vaalwat, Vaalwater, Limpopo, Waterberg,, Vaalwater, 0530, 0530
How to get there
* Take the N1 North from Johannesburg, turn left towards Nylstroom/ Modimolle at the Kranskop tollgate. * Travel through Modimolle towards Vaalwater (60km). * Turn right at the stop street onto Sandrift road towards Melkrivier and travel 35km. * At the Dorset sign turn left onto the dirt road. * At the fork carry on straight towards Werkendam (± 20km), do not turn left again. Izintaba is on the right hand side just past the dam. * Follow the signs to reception.
GPS CoOrdinates: 23 59' 13"S 28 09' 33"E
Frequently asked questions
Deposits to be made within 2 working days of receiving a booking confirmation to secure the reservation. 50% of total booking cost to secure booking, balance payable via EFT before arrival. Long weekends, Easter, Christmas and New years: 50% of total booking cost to secure reservation, balance payable three weeks, via EFT, before arrival.
Cancellation Policy:
For normal weekends and weekdays, deposits will be refunded when a booking is cancelled 4 weeks prior to the scheduled
date of arrival or when an equivalent replacement booking can be obtained.
From the 15th December to 7th January, long weekends, Easter, Christmas and New Year, 12 weeks’ notice of cancellation or an equivalent replacement booking is required for the deposit to be refunded.
No refund for no-shows or early departure
Check-in time is after 15h00
Check-out time is 10h00
Earlier or later times by prior arrangement only.
Pets welcome, but please note that only Bushbuck, Zebra, Guineafowl and Giraffe cottages are fenced.
Should you wish to pay by Credit card, please request a link. Please note that a 5% credit card charge will be added to your booking.
No
15:00 - 10:00
Yes, complimentary WiFi is available in the cottage.
Yes, these can be arranged in advance with the reserve.
Yes, families with children are welcome.
There is no restaurant or bar on the property. However, meals can be booked in the Burkea Boma - 3 course dinners as well as full breakfasts can be booked. Please note that this is not a restaurant but only a dining room. Meals are set and need to be booked at least one week in advance. Minimum of 6 people. Please bring your own drinks. Pre-cooked meals can be delivered to your cottage, 2 course dinners and picnic breakfasts. These meals are set and need to be booked one week in advance.
The closest shop is in Vaalwater, 50km away. The property only sells braai wood, firelighters and ice.
All the cottages at Izintaba Gane Reserve are pet friendly, but only Guineafowl, Giraffe, Zebra and Bushbuck Cottages are fenced. Please note that Bushbuck and Zebra Cottages share a fence. Dogs of all sizes are welcome.
Yes. The Burkea Boma is a communal boma area with free Wifi, comfortable seating on couches or at tables, a TV that can be used to stream sporting events and a table tennis table. It is the perfect space to celebrate family and friend reunions, birthday parties, or intimate bush weddings or just to enjoy a catered meal in the bush around a roaring bonfire, under the starry African skies. With WiFi connectivity, the Burkea Boma can also serve as your office in the bush so you can still make lasting memories with friends and family.
