Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

Limpopo

Limpopo, which occupies South Africa's northern reaches, is a huge and diverse province characterised by traditional cultures, an interesting historical story, vast open spaces and terrific wildlife watching. In Mapungubwe National Park visitors can walk through the country's most significant Iron Age site, gaze from a rocky bluff over the riverine landscape where South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe meet, and observe birds, big cats and rhinos. Culture and traditional art shine in the enigmatic region of Venda, an area dotted with landforms of great spiritual significance. Nature takes centre stage in the Waterberg, where the eponymous Unesco biosphere reserve has endless skies, a landscape of distinctly South African beauty and great safari opportunities, particularly in Marakele National Park. Best of all, few travelers make it up here to the north, making it one of the country's most rewarding destinations.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Limpopo.

See
Confluence Viewpoints
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 three countries – Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa; on an island in the river, you may just be able to make out the Botswana flag. The views are splendid, particularly so around an hour before sunset. The viewpoints come complete with scurrying rock dassies (little guinea-pig like creatures). In the car park, there's a picnic site, a small interpretative display on the park and another trail that leads south for around 300m to another viewpoint overlooking a vast valley; it's especially good at sunset.
See
Interpretation Centre
The impressive centre, one of the country’s finest modern buildings (it won the 2009 World Architecture Award), was designed in sympathetic resemblance to the landscape. Inside it is contemporary and air-conditioned, and has tastefully curated exhibits. There’s plenty of information on the Mapungubwe cultural landscape, including finds from archaeological digs. Keep an eye out for the exquisite beadwork and the replica of the famous gold rhino. Guided tours may amount to someone following you around to make sure you don't take pictures.
See
Makapan’s Caves
While not visually arresting, this National Heritage Site carries great palaeontological significance – artefacts from throughout the Stone and Iron Ages have been unearthed here. In the Historic Cave, chief Makapan and 1000-plus followers were besieged for a month in 1854 by Paul Kruger and the Voortrekkers. You must prebook visits to the site, 23km northeast of town; the guide also speaks French. The fossilised remains of long-extinct animals – such as the sivatherium, an offshoot of the giraffe clan – have been discovered in the caves, which are still littered with fossils and bones.
See
Bambelela
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, she set up this facility, which, after many false starts, now thrives and focuses on vervet monkeys, with more than 300 being cared for here. Join a 1½-hour tour to learn more about the monkeys, from newborns through to those about to be released into the wild. Advance booking is essential. It's 20km north of town. This is conservation on a manageable scale, and is accessible and a more personal experience as a result.
See
Modjadji Nature Reserve
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 Bolobedu Mountains take on an ethereal atmosphere. Take the Modjadji turn-off from Rte 36 about 10km north of Modjadjiskloof (Duivelskloof); after 10km, turn left at the signpost to the reserve, then right at the signpost 12km further along, and continue for 5km.
See
St John’s Church
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 will be on your left. The church dates from 1914 and is said to have been designed by Sir Herbert Baker, but is often overlooked in studies of the great colonial architect.
See
Sunland Big Baobab
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 was over 1700 years old, and a bar occupied the two cavities inside the tree. Sadly, this grand old tree fell in April 2017 and the bar has since moved outside.
See
Thohoyandou Arts & Culture Centre
One starting point for cultural explorations is this centre, which displays craftwork including carved wood animals, prints, local pottery and traditional drums. A lot of it is for sale. If you get chatting to the artists, you'll be in for a real treat.
See
Game Breeding Centre
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 gibbons, wild dogs, giraffes and lions. You can drive through the reserve; go early morning or late afternoon to see the animals at their most active.