Polokwane

Animals roaming in Polokwane Game Reserve. Photo: Shannon Fair / Flickr

The capital city of Limpopo, Polokwane, is considered the beating heart of South Africa’s most northern province. The city was previously called Pietersberg, when it was established in 1886. In 2005, the city was renamed Polokwane, which is Northern Sotho for “Place of Safety”- and that’s what it is for a population of over 400 000 people today. The city sits halfway between Pretoria and the Zimbabwean border and is a gateway to the Kruger National Park.

With a semi-arid climate and summer rainfall, the city has an average temperature of 21ºC in summer and 11ºC in winter – making it ideal for year-round visits.

The Limpopo province is famous for the Mapungubwe National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that showcases the Iron Age kingdom of Mapungubwe. Today, the park houses relics of how this ancient civilisation lived 800 years ago. Polokwane also functions as Limpopo’s main urban area and offers activities galore – including a casino, a number of museums and water parks. The city also contains the eponymous game reserve that hosts a variety of wildlife for the keen viewer.

Polokwane is a 317km drive from Johannesburg and the city also has an airport that offers scheduled flights to Johannesburg.

What to do in Polokwane

Things to do in Polokwane range from museum tours, splash parks, a fun-filled casino, cultural tours and game drives – there’s a little something for everyone!

Where to stay in Polokwane

Where to eat in Polokwane

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