Bela Bela tourist information
Warmbaths has changed it's name to Bela-Bela. "....here the shivering residents of the cold highveld of the Transvaal, Free State and coastal provinces can bask in the genial sunshine and drink of the waters whose truly marvellous - almost miraculous - curative properties even now draw thousands to the spot". This is how President Burghers described this place some 130 years ago. Today an estimated two million "shivering residents" visit Bela-Bela and its surrounding holiday resorts annually. The pleasant mild climate during the winter months and the average of 286 sunny days every year, make the town a popular holiday and retirement village. The town is only an hour's drive from Gauteng and lies on the Springbok Flats on the highway to the North.
Bela-Bela is world-renowned as a holiday and health destination. The hot mineral springs bubble out of the earth at about 22 000 litres per hour. The temperature of the water is a pleasant 53°C and is rich in sodium chloride, calcium carbonate and other salts that have healing properties.
The town is also known as a good agricultural region in the Springbok Flats and has some well-stocked game reserves. Most of the resorts offer excellent conference, sport, accommodation and restaurant facilities.
The area boasts the "Big Five" and virtually every savannha species of game found in South Africa, against a backdrop of scenic Bushveld beauty, mountains, dams, rivers and indigenous trees. It is the ideal destination for hiking, game drives and birdwatching. Visitors to Bela-Bela can also view historical sites such as Buyskop where ruins can be viewed, the grave of Christina Pretorius (wife of Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius) and a British blockhouse erected by the British Military during the Anglo Boer War.
The town's economy revolves around providing excellent facilities for many different sports, including tennis, golf, waterskiing, rowing, squash and bowling. A notable development is the cable-waterski installation, the first on the African continent. The modern, internationally renowned Spa has become a trademark of Bela-Bela. It offers a large mineral water indoor pool, a high temperature pool (rheumatism bath), sauna, underwater massage and hydrotherapy. It is based on the Baden-Baden concept in Germany and is the second biggest of its kind in the world. Ailments such as rheumatism, arthritis, muscular pains, skin problems and headaches are treated.
A visit to Bela-Bela provides a unique and invigorating family holiday in the heart of the unspoilt Bushveld.
Bela Bela aerial map
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