Limpopo

Bordering Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, the Limpopo province is tucked away at South Africa’s most northern tip. Limpopo derives its name from the Lebepe River, which forms the province’s north and western border. The name translates as “strong gushing waterfalls” in Sepedi. 

While the province’s waterfalls have strong spiritual significance for local tribes, Limpopo’s history goes much deeper and dates back millions of years. Ancient rock art and fossil discoveries in the province are from the Stone Age, making the area a rare and historically significant site.

Some say that Limpopo is South Africa’s last untouched wilderness. Nature-loving bush-babies, birdwatchers and eco-travellers looking for a slice of real African bushveld will find it here. The area is truly a unique site, not only in South Africa but in the world, with many found-nowhere-else on earth natural attractions. The province is also incredibly rich in wildlife. A section of the famous Kruger National Park falls within its borders, and the province nurtures a large population of baobab trees. Some of the world’s oldest and largest baobab species are found here.

The capital, Polokwane, lies in the south near the border shared with Mpumalanga. In the south-west, there are the warm baths of Bela-Bela, with the UNESCO listed Waterberg Biosphere Reserve nestled north of it. The reserve is the only savannah biosphere in southern Africa. Located near the Waterberg Mountains in the north of Limpopo, some 654 033 hectares of ancient land are protected. The mountain range itself stretches 150km, from the south-west to the north-east of the province. In the north is the beautiful Debengeni Falls at the foot of the Magoebaskloof Mountains.

The province’s rich biodiversity means that there are a host of experiences for the culturally curious and nature-loving traveller.