SUMMERPLACE EXPANDS BEGINNER/NOVICE/INTERMEDIATE MTB TRAILS NETWORK

David Baber and his team have extended the trails network at Summerplace Game Reserve to better cater for Beginner, Novice and Intermediate mountain bikers and offer more distance for Advanced riders. Here’s what’s new and why you should ride it as soon as possible…

Summerplace Game Reserve has always offered exciting trails for Advanced, skilled mountain bikers. But during 2024, landowner and avid mountain biker, David Baber, has been on a quest to add more trails that appeal to Beginner, Novice and Intermediate mountain bikers. He’s also made some of the existing trails less intimidating.

Earlier this year, the Orange Route was built. A mostly singletrack 23 km trail that explores the northwest section of the reserve, including three ascents and descents of a hill that adds a decent amount of elevation and some special views.

There’s now a wide range of MTB routes for Beginner, Novice and Intermediate riders. Photo: Glacier Waterberg Traverse

Over the winter, David and his team have added trails to the Langwater section of the reserve – on the left as you drive from the main gate to the Summerplace Restaurant. This is primarily a savanna area with very gradual climbs and descents. This allowed for the building of trails that link the existing small game-drive roads to deliver a Brown Route, that measures 28.4km and a longer Yellow Route, that measures 39.2km.

The Brown Route is ideal for Beginner and Intermediate level riders, starting on Aloe trail and exploring the south eastern area of the reserve.

Aloe’s rocky roll-downs made it somewhat intimidating for many riders in the past, but the trails team has added loads of soil to ensure they’re now roll-downs and more accessible to a wider range of riders. These roll-downs deliver the required momentum to fully enjoy one of the most fun, flowy trails at Summerplace Game Reserve.

Mellow Miles, Killing Kilometres, Salad, Eco Mode and Great Gnu are all new trails, which take the Brown Route into the wild-life rich plains area of the reserve, where Giraffe, Zebra, Tsessebe, Kudu and Impala are regular sightings from the saddle.

The new Pink Route is 15km long on gravel roads and jeep track – perfect for Beginners. Photo: Glacier Waterberg Traverse

The Yellow Route follows much of the Brown, but is more appropriate for Advanced and Intermediate riders looking to add distance with some engaging features.  The Yellow Route previously included Marula Flow, Marula, Aloe and Rooibos trails. It still has those, but has a fresh trail called Chicken Legs, which is now the descent off Marula Hill. It includes some switchback turns that have been superbly crafted with packed rocks. The switchbacks only occupy a short segment near the top and near the bottom of this descent, which has stunning views of the Waterberg and is a load of fun to ride.

Baber has also designed additional Beginner, Novice and Intermediate routes on less challenging sections of the original routes. So there is now one Beginner route and Four Novice routes totalling 78km in distance and four Intermediate routes that offer a total distance of 94km. With 15km of jeep track and gravel roads, the new Pink Route is designed specifically for Beginners.

David Baber checking the rocky switchback turns on Chicken Legs trail. Photo: Glacier Waterberg Traverse

“With our gravity trails now well established and attracting both high profile events and recreational riders seeking a challenging trails network, we have spent this year focussing on adding trails that all mountain bikers can enjoy. We now have a total of 12 mountain biking routes – one of which is specifically for Beginners, four routes suitable for Novices, four routes for Intermediate riders, two routes for Advanced riders and one route for Expert riders,” said Baber.

Summerplace Game Reserve offers a wide range of self-catering accommodation as well as a restaurant that serves meals for hungry mountain bikers. To book your stay at Summerplace Game Reserve to ride the new trails, click here.

Many of the new trails will be incorporated into the two-stage Glacier Waterberg Traverse, which takes place at Summerplace Game Reserve from 9-11 May 2025. To find out more, or to enter, click here.

 

THE HIDEOUT – A NEW GLAMPING EXPERIENCE AT SUMMERPLACE

Summerplace Game Reserve is pleased to officially launch The Hideout, our new ultra-luxury glamping experience where you can get the best of plush accommodation and gourmet food in the silence and sanctuary of the South African bush.

The Hideout features 10 brand new ultra-luxury glamping units, each privately located to ensure it’s just you and the Bushveld. Each unit sleeps two has been designed with glass doors and windows as well as a covered porch to offer unrestricted views of the bush and a feeling of serenity.

The Hideout glamping tents are ideal for couples in search of a romantic escape. Relaxation is the priority and meals are prepared by our gourmet chef and served in the on-site restaurant, a pleasant short walk away from each unit. Each glamping unit has a kitchenette with bar fridge and coffee station to ensure refreshments are close at hand. There’s also fine linen, electric lighting, power points and appropriately placed carpets to ensure optimal comfort.

There’s a private wood-fired hot tub at each glamping unit where you can enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas of the Waterberg bush while relaxing under the stars or savouring a sundowner with a difference. Each Hideout unit features an en-suite bathroom with a twin basin and a shower with internal and external doors.

“We’re excited to expand our accommodation options with The Hideout glamping units. We have steadily been growing our guest options over the past couple of years to ensure we cater for everyone that loves to spend time in the bush. The Hideout glamping is a dinner, bed and breakfast offering, which is ideal for those who don’t want to think about meal preparation during their stay at Summerplace,” said Simone Baber, Managing Director, Summerplace Game Reserve.

With a full-time chef at the Summerplace Restaurant, gourmet meals are prepared daily. The Summerplace Restaurant is the social hub of Summerplace Game Reserve. There’s a fireplace for when it’s cold and a swimming pool for when it’s hot. A drinks bar, uncapped WIFI, a big-screen TV and ample comfortable seating both indoors and on the veranda make the Summerplace Restaurant the ideal chill zone before and after meals.

There’s also the bike rental kiosk where you can rent regular mountain bikes and e-bikes as well as the Summerplace shop where you can find a range of Summerplace apparel and interesting mementos. Sundowner game drives can also be booked to ensure you get an opportunity to interact with a wide range of wildlife, including giraffe, zebra, Eland, Kudu, Roan Antelope, Sable Antelope, Tsessebe and much more!

While The Hideout glamping units are ideal for couples, they’re also appropriate for group or family bookings, able to accommodate up to 20. Although each glamping unit is private, they’re within a short walk of each other. The king size beds can be separated to two single beds on request.

To find out more or to book your special glamping bushveld break at Summerplace Game Reserve, click here.

ENJOY WINTER IN THE WATERBERG AT SUMMERPLACE

Warm fires, stunning sunsets, midday walks, runs or rides through the Bushveld. What’s not to love about a winter escape to the Waterberg? Summerplace Game Reserve is perfectly geared for winter breaks with a range of accommodation that includes cosy indoor fireplaces, outdoor braai bomas and wood-fired hot tubs.

Swap the smog that settles over the Highveld cities in winter for crisp countryside air that’s rich in Bushveld aromas. Experience night skies that enable stargazing from the comfort of your private hot tub. Sip sundowners from a viewpoint after a late afternoon game drive. Leave the urban noise behind and listen to the sounds of the Waterberg wilderness.

Just over two hours’ drive north from Pretoria, Summerplace Game Reserve offers a wondrous winter escape. There’s a range of accommodation to suit every budget. From camping, to glamping, to small country units to luxury villas, Summerplace Game Reserve makes it possible for anyone to afford a winter escape in the Waterberg.

There are over 40 species of large mammals at Summerplace Game Reserve, including Zebra, Giraffe, Warthog, Brown Hyena and Black-backed Jackal. There’s also a wide range of antelope including Eland, Roan Antelope, Kudu, Sable Antelope, Waterbuck, Tsessebe, Common Reedbuck, Mountain Reedbuck and more. And there’s the smaller mammals such as Aardvark, Aardwolf, Pangolin, Civet, Badger, Serval and others.

The dry winter months, with less dense vegetation, makes for more successful game-viewing. Summerplace Game Reserve is one of the few game reserves in South Africa where you can enjoy wildlife encounters while riding a mountain bike, running or walking on our broad network of purpose-built trails. If you don’t own a mountain bike, you can hire a regular mountain bike, a kids mountain bike or an eBike (electric-assist) from our fleet of Specialized rental bikes.

Our relaxed game drives are also a great way to enjoy wildlife encounters. Our knowledgeable guides are able to offer useful information on the animals you see from the comfort of our game drive vehicle.

Summerplace Game Reserve is also home to a wide range of trees and bird species. There are at least 130 different types of trees and at least 107 bird species, including several raptors, making it an ideal destination for dendrophiles and birders. Summerplace Game Reserve is also where you will find the tallest Aloe in South Africa.

A Bushveld break at Summerplace Game Reserve can be ideal for couples or families. Ideal lodges for couples include, Hideaway (10 ultra-luxury glamping tents, launching late July 2024), as well as New Wine, The Shed 2 and Saringa lodges. Family-friendly accommodation includes camping, Rosemary Cottage, Marula Cottage, Bushwillow, The Shed 1 and 3, Yorks View, Summerhill and Summerview lodges.

Most of our accommodation is self-catering but we also offer meals twice a day at our Bike Village restaurant with brunch/lunch and dinner. The Bike Village, which has plenty of comfortable seating inside and on the veranda, also has a fully stocked bar and coffee station, a big-screen TV and free, uncapped WiFi. There’s also a shop where you can buy Summerplace-branded apparel and mementos as well other useful items.

Whether it’s during the school holidays, a quick mid-week break or a lazy, long-weekend escape, a winter break in the Waterberg is best enjoyed at Summerplace Game Reserve.

To book your winter escape, see the range of Summerplace Game Reserve accommodation here.

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