Known as the Great North, Limpopo is named after the majestic river that flows through it and along its northern border. This province boasts with a rich wildlife, spectacular scenery and historical and cultural treasures. Limpopo is also home to Modjadji – the fabled Rain Queen. Modjadji meaning: “Ruler of the day”.

Limpopo is divided into four regions:

The Capricorn Region – stretches from Ysterberg to the tropic of Capricorn North.

Bushveld Region/The Waterberg Region – this area is steeped in history that date back to the Stone Age Times.

Soutpansberg Region – The main geographical features of this region is the Limpopo River. It is in this region that visitors will find the former independent homelands of Lebowa and Venda

Valley of the Olifants – This region is famous for the variety of wildlife, rivers & mountains.

The province borders Mozambique, Northwest, Mpumalanga, Zimbabwe and Botswana – so it tips the peak of South Africa. The towns that make up the Limpopo include, Timbavati, Makhado, Polokwane (formally Pietersburg), Mokopane, Bela-Bela, Tzaneen, Phalaborwa, Modimolle, Lephalale

Major attractions in Limpopo

Makapansgat Valley

This valley is directly linked to the history of Humankind, this is where, in February 1925, Professor Raymond Dart announced the discovery of the first ape-man. The caves at Makapansgat Valley have rendered fossils dating back about 3million years. This area is destined to become a World Heritage Site.

Mapungubwe

One of the most remarkable icons in Limpopo is the great ruin at Mapungubwe, in the Limpopo River Valley; show remains of the first ever South African kingdom to have flourished. Mapungubwe shows remains of human occupation in and around 850 AD. The most significant find at Mapungubwe was a gold rhinoceros and gold bowl dating back to around 1200AD.

Modjadji Cycad Nature Reserve

In the Lobedu Mountains near Duiwelskloof and situated next to the home of the fabled Rain Queen, lies the Modjadji Cycad Reserve boasting some of the oldest and largest cycad specimens on earth.

Bela-Bela

Known as Warmbaths for a few decades, because of the hot mineral spring at its centre. This part of the world offers accommodation and fun for the whole family. Bela-Bela is a gateway to the southern Waterberg and/or Thabazimbi.

Haernertsburg

Known as the Land of the Silver Mist, this gorgeous village in the misty Magoebaskloof Mountains near the town of Tzaneen is famous for its cherries, azaleas and abundant flora and birdlife. A must for an ultimate week end get-away.

Rhino Museum

The Lapalala Wilderness Area is a sanctuary for wild and endangered animals and birds. The worlds only dedicated Rhino Museum can be found here, and is dedicated to the achievements with these animals by founder, Clive Walker.

Polokwane, the Capital of Limpopo

Wide streets, jacaranda and coral trees, colourful parks and sparkling fountains characterise the principal town and capital of Limpopo, Polokwane. In addition to Polokwanes status as a major commercial and agricultural centre, Polokwane is the cultural hub of the region, featuring impressive art exhibitions and elegant historical buildings.

In the vicinity of Polokwane, the countryside is the setting for some of the most prosperous cattle ranches in South Africa.

Phalaborwa - Unspoiled Africa

Called “the town of two summers” because it never gets really cold in this subtropical town of mild winters and warm summers, Phalaborwa is the perfect year-round holiday destination. It is the home of the famous African marula tree and Amarula Cream Liqueur.

Tourism and wildlife play a dominant role in the life of this town. Surrounded by game farms and lodges, game sanctuaries and nature reserves, tourists are never more than half an hour’s drive away from unforgettable destinations and memories.

Phalaborwa and its surrounding area is a tourists paradise with unspoiled wide open spaces dotted with Mopani, Marula and Leadwood trees and a great variety of wildlife and birds.

Makhado

Originally named after the Voortrekker leader Louis Trichardt, the town was recently renamed Makhado. It is a town in perfect harmony with its spectacular surroundings. Louis Trichardt is located at the foot of the densely forested Soutpansberg Range in a highly fertile, rapidly growing agricultural area.

Makhado has become one of the province’s premier business and tourism destinations.

Tropical fruits, such as litchis, bananas, mangoes and nuts are grown in the nearby Levubu district and are available in abundance.

If the Limpopo Province is the place you would like to visit, we at Whisper will assist in all the arrangements and booking to make your holiday memorable and relaxing.

A package, tailor made, to suit all your requirements. Please contact our office (info@whisperpoetry.com) if you are interested in visiting this beautiful Province.

Next month I will be telling you a bit more about the North West Province!!

Regards
Giselle Visser

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This entry was posted on Sunday, May 4th, 2008 at 9:35 pm and is filed under Places of Interest. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.