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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.

Park
Mapungubwe National Park
Stunningly stark, arid, rocky landscapes reverberate with cultural intrigue and wandering wildlife at Mapungubwe National Park. A Unesco World Heritage Site, Mapungubwe contains South Africa’s most significant Iron Age site. The birdwatching here is excellent, as is the wildlife, which includes lions, leopards and elephants. But the park is as much about history as wildlife – archaeological finds from the 1930s are on display at the excellent Interpretative Centre and the site itself can be visited on a tour.
Zoo
Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre
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 take a holistic approach to South Africa's endangered species through research and breeding programs, as well as a big focus on education. Daily two-hour tours in open safari vehicles show you the animals and explain the work of the centre, which complements a Kruger safari.
Viewpoint
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).
Museum
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.
Viewpoint
Lenong Viewing Point
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 summit (take the right branch of the roads at the top), ignore the rather ugly communication towers, park your car and then walk for a couple of hundred metres. It may take some looking and false starts, but the breeding colonies of the endangered Cape vulture (800-plus breeding pairs) are worth the effort.
Cave
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.
Wildlife Reserve
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.
Wildlife Reserve
Polokwane Game Reserve
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 species, including zebras, giraffes and white rhinos, plus a good network of roads and hiking trails. It's like a trial run for those going out on safari – if you've already been out in Kruger or elsewhere, it will all feel a little tame, although seeing a rhino is never underwhelming.
Nature Reserve
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.