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Limpopo South Africa

'Bushveld glory, a paradise for safari enthusiasts, bird-watchers, conservationists and day trippers alike, Limpopo is South Africa's best kept secret'.

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Bushveld
The Bushveld region is dominated by the Waterberg Mountain range, stretching for 150km to the west. It's unique bio-diversity has made it a popular tourist destination to private game reserves and nature trails across the region.
The Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, located within this mountain range received international status in 2001 to form part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves registered with Unesco and is the first 'savannah' biosphere registered in Southern Africa.

It is situated in the south west of the province and encompasses the Marakele National Park near Thabazimbi, the rural communal areas of Bakenberg, four nature reserves and a buffer zone.

Private game reserves in the Bela-Bela region offer diverse outdoor activities especially hunting. Game is strictly controlled by professional organisations to ensure preservation. Adventure sport enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and freshwater angling in the rivers and dams.

The Nylsvley Nature Reserve situated 30km north of Modimolle (Nylstroom) extends over 16,000 hectares of grass and wetland to create one of the most significant wildlife and bird sanctuaries in Southern Africa. Some 365 bird species have been recorded at the reserve, of which 37 are red-data listed species.

The Makapan Cave Complex is located in a valley deep in the Strydpoort mountains, north east of the town of Mokopane (Potgietersrus). It was here in 1925 at a limestone quarry that the fossil remains of early humankind, dating back more than 3.3 million years, were identified as unlike anything else discovered around the world.

Capricorn
The province capital Polokwane which means 'place of safety', lies in the centre of the Capricorn region and offers attractions like: Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho open-air Museum, Polokwane Game Reserve, remote Sekhukhuneland, an area of the Drakensberg escarpment and to the east, Zion City at Moria where millions of people come to worship Easter each year and 'The Needle' which marks the Tropic of Capricorn north of Polokwane on the EN1.

Zoutpansberg
The Zoutpansberg region is signified by vast and dominating mountain range stretching 130km from east to west across the northern reaches of the province. The Venda people's culture is intertwined into the misty peaks and crags of this Massif, which also host tea estates, tropical fruit stalls, art galleries, waterfalls and the Funudzi sacred lake and forest. Here in the Mutale River linger many legends and myths and the vhaVenda find spiritual expression in the Domba dance, woodcarvings, pottery, crafts, fabrics and the decoration of buildings.

Further north along the Limpopo grows the largest baobab tree in the world and the important Dongola National Park near the town of Alldays. Makhado (Louis Trichardt) and Musina are excellent starting points from which to venture out on a number of African Ivory Route 4x4 trails. Mapungubwe, which means 'The Hill of Jackals' is situated at the confluence of the Sashi and Limpopo rivers. this is the site of an early first-century iron-age settlement and believed to be an important gold and ivory trading centre to the sheikdoms of the middle east years ago.

Valley of the Olifants
The Valley of the Olifants is one of the last unspoilt corners of Africa - unhurried, contented and timeless. Here the scenic majesty of the Northern Drakensberg dominates the valley of the Olifants river system. At the head of the valley lies the small village of Haenertsburg with breathtaking views of the Magoebaskloof mountain pass and the Ebenezer Dam. The principal town of Tzaneen, which means 'where people come together', is situated a the foot of the Wolkberg and dotted with exotic flowers and tropical fruit farms and is one of the provinces best kept secrets with excellent hiking and camping opportunities.

At the Modjadji, east of Duiweskloof is the spectacular and rare cycad forest, home to more than 12,000 mature plants of Encephalartos Transvenosus species and the most extensive cycad forest in the world. this is also home to the sixth Rain Queen. Rain queens are the matrilineal line of women who are believed to have special powers, including the ability to controls and rainfall.

Kruger National park lies on the east of the province and is South Africa's largest and most important National Park. One of the worlds most famous wildlife sanctuary's 80% of Kruger National Park lies within the Limpopo region and conserves over 147 mammal species, 507 bird species, 114 species of reptile, 49 fish species and 300 tree species in a varied environment of bushveld and riverine forest. Hundreds of years ago an African Jewish tribe from Ethiopia called the Falashas, moved southwards through the Great Zimbabwe ruins to finally settle in Limpopo.