Warmbaths Things to Do

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The name of the place is confusing: Warmbad in Afrikaans, Warmbaths in English, and now renamed Bela Bela, which means 'Boiling Spring' in Tswana just to completely confuse the unsuspecting traveler. However, there's absolutely no doubt what its major attraction is - yes, you've guessed it - hot water!
The Forever Warmbaths Resort has long been an iconic destination for South Africans seeking affordable holiday accommodation to keep the entire family happily occupied. The complex has been developed around a thermal spring, and the deliciously warm water (32 degrees) is utterly addictive. All sorts of water-related activities have been developed to capitalise on this advantage and include a variety of water slides, pools of different sizes (including a wave pool), pedal boats and even cable water skiiing.
In addition to the watery attractions, there is also a bewildering variety of other activities on offer, such as mini golf, go karts, mini quad bikes, squash, tennis and target shooting. Should you still be in need of distraction, then there is also a hydo spa complex and a game park.
The resort offers a wide range of self catering accommodation, as well as camping and caravan sites with shared facilities. There are several restaurants/food outlets as well as a convenience store selling food, drink and basic supplies.
Warmbaths is a hearty family sort of place, and not the sort of place that you should consider for a secluded romantic retreat. The facilities are excellent - even if the 1960s brick construction is looking awfully dated - and it amuses me no end that the architecture is almost identical to that of every muncipal office in the plaateland! Most importantly it is extremely family friendly, with an excellently equipped first aid station, lots of shady spots of picknicking and attractions that appeal to all age groups.
Warmbaths was developed as part of the Overvaal (later Aventura) chain of resorts established in the apartheid era to provide affordable family accommodation for white (primarily Afrikaaner) blue collar workers, and still caters for this demographic, albeit with a different racial profile. It remains a very Afrikaans place, so although you'll be understood if you speak English, you will certainly be in the minority!
As you might imagine, it is a very popular destination, and is packed out over weekends, public and school holidays. On the other hand, if you go mid week - particularly out of season - you can virtually have the place to yourself. To my mind, it's at its best during winter, when the weather is milder (it never gets really cold there), but that's really a matter of personal preference.
The good news is that it is possible to use the complex as a day visitor between 07:00 and 17:00 (although there appears to be inconsistency, as this is apparently no longer the case at the Aventura Swadini resort). Day visitor rates in July 2010 for the main complex (excluding the spa) were R130 for adults and R100 for children. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drink, but no glass bottles are allowed. It is an almost unbeatable outing in terms of sheer entertainment value, and particularly if you are willing to self cater, it is a reasonably priced way to keep the whole family entertained for an entire day.
Warmbaths is a manageable - if somewhat long - day trip from Johannesburg and Pretoria. The journey takes about 2 hours from Johannesburg, and just over an hour from Pretoria. The road is excellent, but be aware that there are two toll gates on this road (probably the reason why it's in such good condition, but an irritation nonetheless)! It is a fairly dull drive, and the hardest thing is keeping awake on the return home after wallowing in warm water for the day!