Previously called the Northern Province, Limpopo is an area of vast diversity, with some of the best game viewing areas and parks in South Africa.
Limpopo is bordered by Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana, the Kruger National Park also takes up a good part of the province. It is the northern-most province of South Africa.
The Limpopo is an eco-tourist destination where mountain ranges rise suddenly and dramatically out of bushveld plains. On the slopes of these mountains you will find indigenous forests, placid streams and beautiful waterfalls. Much of the land is unspoilt providing sanctuary to large numbers of gane. Game reserves are found in 2 different regions within Limpopo.
Limpopo has a vast history; in the Makapans Caves near Mokopane are some of the oldest evident remains of prehistoric human habitation. Baobab trees are a fantastic feature of Limpopo.
Many of these unusual looking trees can be seen throughout the northern section of the province, which is known as the Waterberg region. This area has everything that is expected of Africa - bushveld, mountains and an abundance of animals are found in the area, making it one of South Africas most popular conservation areas.
South Africa is often referred to as the 'Cradle of Humankind', and archaeological sites such as Sterkfontein and Makapans Caves add significant credence to this theory. The Makapans Valley near Mokopane in Limpopo contains a bountiful cluster os historical and cultural heritage sites that range in age as far back as three million years. The Makapans Valley, with the Makapans Cave at its centre, is a fascinating area that continues to provide many clues to the way the ancient Africans once lived. The Makapans Cave is a National Heritage site and has provided many excited researchers and scientists with an abundance and variety of study subjects.
The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape is situated on the southern banks of the great Limpopo River. It forms part of both the Vhembe/Dongola National Park as well as the Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Archaeologists believe that the iron ages sites of Mapungubwe were once the capitals of mighty African kings.
The world-renowned Kruger National Park borders the northern Limpopo Province and offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa and in the world. It is mainly a self-drive destination with the infrastructure of roads, waterholes, hides, picnic sites and restcamps spread through the park to ensure the visitor maximum exposure.
The town of Phalaborwa is situated less than 2km from the Kruger National Park. One of the country's youngest towns and one where the distinction between summer and winter is hardly noticeable.
The Marakele National Park in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains has become a place of sanctuary for an impressive variety of wildlife due to its location in the transitional zone between the dry western and moister eastern regions of South Africa.
Entabeni in the Waterberg offers hectares of beautiful scenery and vegetation, comprising bushveld, unspoilt ravines and wooded hillsides that are haven to the Big Five and a large variety of game.
Gomo Gomo within the Timbavati hot lowveld area of wood and grassland, about 70 000 hectares in extent and harbours the Big Five plus many more species of predators, antelope and birds offering some of the finest game viewing in South Africa.
