I have a statement to make —Limpopo is lovely. And now, a sad admission — I have only just completed my first proper visit, after 12 years of living in South Africa.
“Not to worry,” remarked a friend born and bred in Josies, “I’ve never been further north than Cullinan!”
Actually, I have driven through Limpopo on several occasions, to get to Zimbabwe and Ellisras. And each time I’ve done so I remarked that I must find the time to explore properly.
So now, after three magnificent days in the Letaba district I feel like an initiate, privy to one of South Africa’s best kept secrets.
There’s nothing secretive about the landscape in Limpopo, whether it be the stunning beauty of the Waterberg or the breathtaking Makgoebaskloof pass. The province boasts diverse natural riches ranging from bushveld to mountain peak, and valley to moonscape.
There are hot mineral springs in Warmbaths, now called Bela Bela, and a national heritage site at Makapansgat in the Makapans Valley.
The Valley of the Olifants, so named for the Great OIifants river which runs through it, forms the southern border of the province. This is the same Olifants river which flows through the Kruger National Park, more than 80% of which lies in Limpopo territory.
It’s strange how the park is more associated with Mpumalanga ‒ perhaps it’s because the majority of people who visit use the Mpumalanga gates ‒ who knows? In any event, the northern part of Kruger is easily accessed through Limpopo and the Punda Maria and Phalaborwa gates, with direct routes through to camps such as Shingwedzi and Letaba.
The area south of Tzaneen forms part of the Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve on the African Ivory Route, explored with ease from the Mafefe Camp.
And of course there’s the tropics, or the lower tropic of Capricorn to be precise. Limpopo’s capital of Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg) lies in the heart of Capricorn region. As does Louis Trichardt and the magnificent Soutpansberg which stretch for 130km from east to west.
Here can be found the historic settlements of Mapungubwe and Thulamela, and of course the great, green, greasy Limpopo of legend, the river from whence the province gets its name.
To the south of this region lies Venda, with its sacred lake Fundudzi, held in awe by the VhaVenda people.
Within easy driving distance of Gauteng, the route to Limpopo is as easy as pie, with the N1 taking you all the way north. Unfortunately there are toll gates aplenty, with tolls ranging from R5,20 to almost R25 for cars. The plus-side is that it’s a good road, with lots of filling stations-cum-rest stops.
The N1 acts as an artery north, from which you can peel off to the left (Waterberg, Thabazimbi, Ellisras) or right (Tzaneen, Hoedspruit, Phalaborwa) with the minimum of navigational skills required to read route maps.
For those too far away to drive, the province is serviced by airports at Polokwane and Hoedspruit (Eastgate Airport), and Thohoyandou and Phalaborwa.
For more information on what Limpopo has to offer, contact the Limpopo tourism authority on (013) 752 7001.