Must-see attractions in Limpopo

  • Landscape in Mapungubwe National Park, South Africa.

    Mapungubwe National Park

    Limpopo

    Stunningly stark, arid, rocky landscapes reverberate with cultural intrigue and wandering wildlife at Mapungubwe National Park. A Unesco World Heritage…

  • Looking out from a viewpoint over the Mapungubwe National Park.

    Confluence Viewpoints

    Limpopo

    Four wonderfully sited viewing decks sit atop the cliffs and allow for uninterrupted views out over the river plain, the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers and…

  • A group on safari watch a small a small herd of Burchell's Zebra as they drink at the water’s edge in the Marakele National Park in South Africa.

    Marakele National Park

    Limpopo

    This mountainous national park is at the southwest end of the Waterberg biosphere. The animals grazing beneath the red cliffs include the Big Five, as…

  • Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

    Limpopo

    A few clicks south of Hoedspruit along the R40 and attached to the Kapama Private Game Reserve, the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre was set up to…

  • Interpretation Centre

    Limpopo

    The impressive centre, one of the country’s finest modern buildings (it won the 2009 World Architecture Award), was designed in sympathetic resemblance to…

  • Lenong Viewing Point

    Limpopo

    A narrow, serpentine but paved road climbs to this splendid vantage point with sweeping views; arguably the best views are on the way up. Once at the…

  • Makapan’s Caves

    Limpopo

    While not visually arresting, this National Heritage Site carries great palaeontological significance – artefacts from throughout the Stone and Iron Ages…

  • Bambelela

    Limpopo

    This private rehabilitation centre, the work of Silke von Eynern and established in 2003, is a testament to persistence. After her husband's death in 1997…

  • Polokwane Game Reserve

    Limpopo

    Go on safari at this 32.5-sq-km reserve less than 5km south of Polokwane. It’s one of the country’s largest municipal nature reserves, with 21 wildlife…

  • Modjadji Nature Reserve

    Limpopo

    Covering 30,000 sq metres (or 530 hectares), this reserve protects forests of the ancient Modjadji cycad. In the summer mists, the reserve and surrounding…

  • St John’s Church

    Limpopo

    About 10km from Vaalwater on the Melkrivier road, turn right onto the Vierentwintigriviere road, and after 8.7km turn left towards Naauwpoort – St John’s…

  • Nylsvley Nature Reserve

    Limpopo

    This 40-sq-km reserve, on the Nyl River floodplain, is one of the country’s best places to see birds: 380 species are listed. The mammal list runs to 79,…

  • Sunland Big Baobab

    Limpopo

    On the road to Modjadji Nature Reserve, look out for signs to the remains of this 22m-high boabab, with a 47m circumference. According to carbon dating it…

  • Polokwane Art Museum

    Limpopo

    This museum is worth ducking into for its modern take on colonialism, many depictions of Nelson Mandela and interesting displays on women and art in South…

  • Amarula Lapa

    Limpopo

    The best way to enjoy a glass of creamy Amarula liqueur is to visit the Amarula Lapa, located next to the production plant, 10km west of Phalaborwa…

  • African Masks

    Thohoyandou Arts & Culture Centre

    Limpopo

    One starting point for cultural explorations is this centre, which displays craftwork including carved wood animals, prints, local pottery and traditional…

  • Ben Lavin Nature Reserve

    Limpopo

    This 25-sq-km reserve is worth visiting for its walking and mountain-bike trails. It contains 200-plus bird species, as well as giraffes, zebras and…

  • Kings Walden

    Limpopo

    If steamy Tzaneen is making you droop, climb to this spectacular 300-sq-metre English garden at 1050m in the African bush. The views of the Drakensberg…

  • Museum of the Drum and Dzata Ruins

    Limpopo

    The archaeological remains of the royal kraal (compound) of the Venda people make for a fascinating detour. The museum houses a replica of the royal drum,…

  • Game Breeding Centre

    Limpopo

    This 13-sq-km reserve on Rte 101 is a breeding centre for the National Zoo in Pretoria and has a wide variety of native and exotic animals, including…

  • Bakone Malapa Open-Air Museum

    Limpopo

    Located 9km south of Polokwane on Rte 37 to Chuniespoort, this museum evokes the customs of the Northern Sotho people who lived here 300 years ago. The…

  • Tzaneen Museum

    Limpopo

    The town museum has an impressive collection of artefacts, ranging from a ‘house guard’ totem used by the Rain Queens to some pretty spine-chilling…

  • Hugh Exton Photographic Museum

    Limpopo

    Set in a restored 19th-century church, this museum covers Polokwane’s first half-century and the second Anglo-Boer War through the work of the prolific…

  • Debengeni Falls

    Limpopo

    There are a number of waterfalls in the area, including the glorious Debengeni Falls, where a suspension bridge leads between pools.

  • Thaba Kwena Crocodile Farm

    Limpopo

    This farm is home to more than 10,000 crocodiles, each reaching up to 5.5m in length. The beasts are bred for their skin and meat, which is exported…

  • Musina Nature Reserve

    Limpopo

    With South Africa’s highest concentration of baobabs, the reserve is 5km south of the town off the N1, and has animals such as zebras, giraffes and the…

  • Arend Dieperink Museum

    Limpopo

    At the back of the tourism association, this museum recounts local history, with a focus on the town’s development after Voortrekkers founded it in 1852.

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