Known as the Great North, Limpopo is the land of legend. Much of this stunning South African province has remained unchanged for centuries, offering unlimited opportunities to experience a gloriously untamed Africa.
LIMPOPO
Named after the river that runs through it, Limpopo is the northernmost province in South Africa, bordering Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.
Often overlooked by visitors who instead opt for the country’s more historically popular provinces such as the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo shines as an underrated gem of the Rainbow Nation.
This visually gorgeous province offers a mosaic of superb, scenic landscapes and is home to a vast wealth of incredible scenery as well as many unmissable nature-based tourism opportunities.
A province consisting mostly of the Bushveld – a subtropical woodland ecoregion of Southern Africa – Limpopo is also known for its towering waterfalls, trout-filled rivers, and dense forests.
With vast expanses of the Bushveld inhabited by an abundance of wildlife species, Limpopo is the perfect destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive array of national parks, game reserves, and safari trails. The region is predominantly rural, meaning that large areas still remain completely untouched.
There is an equally enchanting mysticism to Limpopo as a land of epic ancient myths and tales, meaning those in search of fascinating history and cultural heritage will find numerous places of archaeological significance that have yielded relics dating back millions of years.
EXPLORING LIMPOPO: A SAFARI ADVENTURE
Limpopo, the northernmost province of South Africa, is a haven for safari enthusiasts
Renowned for its diverse landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage, Limpopo offers an unparalleled safari experience. With its national parks, private game reserves, and close proximity to the iconic Kruger National Park, this province is a magnet for nature lovers and adventurers alike.
The Magic of Limpopo Safaris
Limpopo’s safaris are a gateway to some of South Africa’s most stunning ecosystems. The province is home to savannas, forests, mountains, and wetlands, creating habitats for an impressive array of wildlife. Visitors to Limpopo can expect to encounter Africa’s famed Big Five – lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and rhinos – along with a multitude of other animals including giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and an array of antelope species. Birdwatchers, too, are in for a treat, as the region boasts over 500 bird species, from the vibrant lilac-breasted roller to the majestic African fish eagle.
Kruger National Park and Beyond
Although Kruger National Park is partially located in Limpopo, the province offers much more beyond its borders. The park, one of Africa’s largest and most famous wildlife reserves, offers a classic safari experience with opportunities for guided game drives, self-drive safaris, and even walking safaris. But Limpopo also hosts several other remarkable reserves and parks that provide unique and intimate encounters with nature.
Mapungubwe National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one such destination. Nestled at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers, this park is as rich in history as it is in wildlife. Archaeological sites here reveal the remnants of an ancient African kingdom, and the park’s scenic landscapes offer opportunities to spot elephants, leopards, and numerous bird species.
Marakele National Park, located in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, is another highlight. Its rugged mountains, deep valleys, and diverse flora support a thriving population of animals, including rare species like the Cape vulture. Visitors can enjoy guided game drives or explore the park on foot.
For a more exclusive experience, Limpopo’s private game reserves offer luxury lodges, intimate safari adventures, and personalised service. These reserves are often less crowded than national parks, allowing for a more tranquil and immersive experience.
Cultural Encounters
Safari adventures in Limpopo are not limited to wildlife viewing. The province is also rich in cultural heritage, offering visitors a chance to connect with the traditions of local communities. Guided cultural tours can include visits to traditional villages, insights into local crafts, and opportunities to taste authentic South African cuisine.
Adventure Awaits
For thrill-seekers, Limpopo’s safari experiences extend beyond traditional game drives. Hot air balloon rides over the Bushveld, horseback safaris, and guided hikes are just some of the adventurous ways to explore the region. Night safaris, where nocturnal animals take centre stage, offer a completely different perspective on the wilderness.
OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS
Sleep:
FOR AN EVERGREEN OASIS IN THE LOWVELD BUSH…
Sunbirds Oasis Lodge is surrounded by the Big Five areas of Thornybush, Klaserie, Timbavati, and Kapama and right on the doorstep of Kruger National Park.
Whether you want to relax by the pool, roam the sizeable garden, or take part in one of the lodge’s activities to explore the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region, Sunbirds Oasis Lodge has the right package for you.
Above all, its experienced team delivers a creative menu crafted from fresh and local ingredients in the on-site restaurant.
This impressive property has a long tradition of being run as a lodge, wedding venue, conference centre, and fabulous restaurant open to the public.
The lodge aims to contribute to this history of excellence by letting it shine with renewed splendour. Already existing as a cosy home away from home, the range of accommodations is as diverse as its guests. Choose from welcoming double rooms for a romantic stay as well as spacious triple rooms that can also be used as family units.
All stays come with an ensuite private bathroom with complementary high quality beauty products, whilst free Wi-Fi is also provided throughout without any extra charge.
As soon as you step out of your room, the lodge’s large garden and pool area await you. For the evenings, guests can end the day in spectacular fashion by enjoying their favourite drink by the fire.
Do:
FOR UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES…
Sandy Creek Safaris is the perfect way to experience nature in its purest form with its diverse variety of native animals.
Located in the heart of Marakele National Park, Sandy Creek Safaris allows you to experience this fascinating wildlife up close and in their natural habitat.
With Sandy Creek Safaris, you can truly dive into the wild beauty of South Africa. From the breathtaking fauna to the picturesque landscapes, a safari here offers the chance to encounter Africa’s diverse animals at home in the wild.
Sandy Creek Safaris also offers 10 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites. From the deluxe double room with garden views to the presidential suite on the upper floor with a balcony and vistas of the Kransberg Mountains, the lodge provides timeless comfort for every desire and occasion.
All rooms are stylishly designed with meticulous attention to detail to ensure guests an unparalleled stay and feature high-quality, comfortable box spring beds, air conditioning, a coffee and tea station, as well as a TV and minibar.
A spacious, heated, and year-round infinity pool with the Kransberg Mountains in the distance is the centrepiece of the lodge’s large and luxurious outdoor area. Relax on the elegantly designed patio with views of Africa’s tamboti trees, which also provide a refreshing breeze.
Meanwhile, the vast garden with its private retreats offers ample space for sunbathing and relaxation.
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK IN FOCUS
Set in the north-eastern corner of the country, Kruger National Park offers an African safari adventure of a lifetime.
Spanning nearly two million hectares, it is the largest national reserve in South Africa and renowned across the entire world.
This expanse of subtropical woodland provides a vast range of scenery, diverse flora, and spectacular wild animals of all sizes and characters. As such, Kruger National Park is known for having the highest population-density of the Big Five animals in South Africa, serving up ample opportunity to see lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and African buffalo.
The iconic park also promises to deliver a multitude of African safari animal sightings such as giraffes, zebra, wildebeest, and hyenas.
However, should you be set on an African lion safari or unwilling to the leave the site without encountering the sight of a leopard up close, your best option may be to head to one of the park’s private game reserves, known for specific sightings and accompanied by expert guides.
Private reserves within Kruger National Park also offer night game drives and guided bush walks, giving you the opportunity to be completely immersed in the wild.
With all of Africa’s supreme wild creatures, the park is additionally home to 137 other mammals and is a bird lover’s paradise with over 500 varieties.
The best time for wildlife viewing is during the dry months from June to September, when the vegetation is less thick. During this period, animals make their way to rivers and watering holes which create excellent game viewing opportunities.
LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS
Debengeni Falls
Within the verdant natural beauty of the Magoebaskloof Pass, an area of immense splendour in the northern part of the Drakensberg mountain range, Debengeni Falls is an idyllic example of the untouched, untainted appeal of Limpopo. Here, the Ramadipha River tumbles 80 metres to its base, demonstrating the unharnessed power of nature.
Thaba Kwena Crocodile Farm
Nestled between Bela-Bela and Modimolle in the Waterberg, Thaba Kwena Crocodile Farm was founded more than 25 years ago. This is the largest commercial crocodile farm in the Southern Hemisphere and home to approximately 45,000 crocodiles of varying sizes. Feeding time at the farm is an experience not to be missed, as these ferocious beasts create a breathtaking spectacle.
Tzaneen Museum
This museum is crammed full of fascinating artefacts of the local Tsonga and Northern Sotho people’s pottery, basketry, beadwork, weapons, sacred drums, and numerous other items of ethnological importance to the region. There is also a comprehensive collection of woodcarvings by local artists alongside the museum’s pottery collection, which covers a period of nearly 2,000 years.
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
For travellers arriving by car, the N1 road runs from Cape Town, Bloemfontein, and Gauteng straight to Limpopo. This route also hosts several key bus networks.
Public roads in South Africa are well developed and sign-posted, with driving done on the left-hand side of the road. Drivers may be required to have an international driver’s license and a minimum of five years’ experience in order to hire a car in South Africa, depending on their nationality. With a European passport, you can drive legally in South Africa for up to one year.
The majority of international flights land at OR Tambo International Airport, which lies to the east of Gauteng, about a 30-minute drive from the city centre.
National carrier, South African Airways, connects the nation to most European and many African capitals, as well as the US, South America, Asia, and Australia.
