Limpopo from A to Z

Limpopo is South Africa’s most wild and untamed province. Go Limpopo, they say, go wild!

• A is for its African-ness. Limpopo is South Africa’s most wild and untamed province. Go Limpopo, they say, go wild!
• B is for the bushveld. Beyond the escarpment, the hot lazy lowveld stretches out towards Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The towns of Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit are the region’s friendly centres.
• C is for Ceramics. Limpopo’s rural women are famed for their pottery and ceramics and have founded an African Pottery Network.
• D is for design. Limpopo is well known for its arts, crafts, both traditional and contemporary. Especially in Venda, a sub-tropical region famed for its culture, mythology, wood carvers, potters and sculptors.
• E is for Eugene Marais. Marais was author of Soul of the Ape who lived in the Waterberg area in the early part of last century and became the first man to study primates in the wild. Poet, philosopher, doctors, lawyer and morphine addict, Marais lived alongside a troop of 300 chacmas.
• F is for flowers. Azaleas, clivias, agapanthus, cherry blossoms, wild flowers. Limpopo has wonderful floral diversity. In spring the mountainsides light up with wild flowers and the village of Haenertsburg celebrates with a spring fair.
• G is for Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park. It has been dubbed the world’s greatest animal kingdom.The GLTP has seen fences going down between the Kruger Park and parks in Mozambique and Zimbabwe to create the world’s largest transfrontier park.
• H is for Human Origins. Visit Makapans Valley World Heritage Site, sister to the Cradle of Humankind. This incredible cave and archaeological site is where Raymond Dart found the fossil remains of Australopithecus Africanus, a 3,5 million year-old apeman in 1948.
• I is for Ivory Route. This is a self-drive route through the wild heart of the province. A series of rustic and remote camps follow in the footsteps of historical characters. A great one for off-road adventurers!
• J is for Jumbos. Limpopo was the first province to offer elephant back safaris. Visit Camp Jabulani at Kapama and meet Jabulani, the elephant that inspired it all.
• K is for Kruger National Park. Did you know almost two-thirds of the Kruger National Park falls within the border of Limpopo?
• L is for Limpopo River. This is the legendary and ancient river that cuts its course through the northern borders of our lovely province.
• M is for Magoebaskloof. The hamlet of Haenertsburg is at the heart of the Magoebaskloof mountains. Hike in cool forests, go trout fishing in silver lakes, explore the misty mountains.
• N is for Nylsvley. In the rainy summer months, the wetlands and floodplains of Nylsvley attract the highest number of birds in the southern hemisphere. A birders paradise.
• O is for the Olifants River. This mighty river is at the centrepiece of the Valley of Olifants, a region famed for its scenic beauty, dramatic mountains and rich culture.
• P is for Polokwane. The name means “place of peace” and the capital city of Limpopo province is fast-growing and friendly. Polokwane is one of the host cities for the Fifa 2010 World Cup Football.
• Q is for Queen Modjadji. At Modjadji village near Tzaneen you can visit the ancient homestead of the Rain Queen and see a slope of rare cycads that date back to the time of the dinosaur.
• R is romance. No shortage of this in Limpopo. The region offers weddings in spectacular settings and honeymoon opportunities aplenty!
• S is for the Soutpansberg. South Africa’s northernmost mountain range rises from the bush in the east, near the tiny town of Alldays. It stretches east becoming lush and sub-tropical.
• T is for tourists. Limpopo welcomes all tourists in true African style and hospitality!
• U is Upside Down Trees. Much loved symbol of Limpopo is the upside down tree or baobab tree, many of which are over a thousand years old and play an essential part in the history of the province.
• V is for Venda. Home of the Venda Bender – a self-drive route through the artistic heart of the province, visiting artists, craftspeople, wood carvers, potters and sangomas.
• W is for the Waterberg. North east of Pretoria, this region is one of South Africa’s most important conservation and wildlife regions.
• X is for X factor, the secret ingredient that makes our province so special.
• Y is for Yes. A resounding thumbs to the tourists, travellers and adventurers who are visiting Limpopo province.
• Z is for Zen. The province of Limpopo invites you to explore its Zen, to experience its rhythms and beauty, to share in its soul.