limpopo, accommodations

Find sought after Limpopo accommodation in the northernmost part of South Africa.  Divided by the Tropic of Capricorn and named after the mighty Limpopo River that forms its western and northern boundaries, Limpopo’s boundless landscapes present visitors with access to great natural beauty and awe-inspiring wildlife.

This is possibly the best area of the country in which to truly experience Africa via game viewing and track the Big Five. However, there is much more to Limpopo than simply this. The Makapans valley offers historical and cultural heritage sites that range in age as far back as three million years, according to scientists. Furthermore, this is the land of Modjadji the mysterious Rain Queen with her legendary rainmaking powers.

Limpopo’s cultural heritage has deep roots. Dating back to 1000 AD, the province is full of stories of lost civilisations and African kings and queens. Rock art paintings found across the province tell tales of the existence of early groups such as the San, who captured events of their daily life on cave walls and under rocky overhangs.

The province’s cultural heritage also includes Mapungubwe, a World Heritage Site that produced dozens of artefacts illustrating extraordinary metal-working abilities and this mysterious kingdom’s regular trade with the East. The Mapungubwe kingdom is believed to have flourished around 1050 to 1270 AD.

For a memorable trip, find your choice of accommodation in Limpopo and take time to explore the landscape. It is home to great mountain ranges, indigenous forests and vast expanses of bushveld wilderness. Bela Bela (formerly called Warmbaths) is a famous hot spring resort where you can soothe your muscles in the warm and tranquilizing mineral baths.

Whether hiking through steep gorges and along ancient cliffs, picnicking or simply ambling alongside a rushing river, trying to spot antelope, baboons, wild cats or the massive variety of birdlife, the place to discover the true Africa experience is in Limpopo. Accommodation varies and offers everything from simple rustic lodges to five-star getaways – all geared to the perfect stay.

Things to do:

• Journey along the Venda Ancestral Route, taking in the ancient holy forest of Thathe Vonde and the sacred Lake Fundudzi – a reputedly magical lake inhabited by the python god of fertility -as well as numerous other traditional festivities.
• Visit Makapans Valley, an area with a near-complete record of human occupation going back three million years. Here, the bones of Ape-men and extinct animals have been discovered, while the Cave of Hearths is thought to be the evidence of man's earliest use of fire.
• Trek the African Ivory Route, which runs through the Capricorn region and is an important ecotourism and 4x4 adventure destination, traversing rugged terrain and beautiful wilderness areas. You’ll find a range of Limpopo accommodation geared towards a rugged holiday adventure here.
• Psyche yourself up to try mountain-biking in the Kruger National Park. Starting at the Olifants Camp in the northern region of the park, there are three trails designed for those who are fit, confident on a bike and have a sense of adventure.
• Take the children to the Mystic Monkeys and Feathers Wildlife Park, home not only to many of SA's animal and bird species, but also exotic species such as tigers, sloths, a wide variety of primates and two white lion cubs.
• Stop in at the Farmyard Trading Post and buy organic farm produce, arts, crafts and antiques, as part of a charming old world country experience.
• The Modjadji Cycad Reserve near Tzaneen is home to the biggest concentration of the rare endemic cycad, Transvenosus encephalartos, in the world. While staying in your choice of accommodation in Limpopo, take a guided tour of the village of Modjadji - spiritual home of the legendary Rain Queen.
• Enjoy a real taste of Africa at the Amarula Lapa in Phalaborwa. A definite part of SA culture, Amarula Cream is a well-loved cream liqueur - and one taste of this divine juice and you’ll begin to understand why the fruit of the marula tree drives even elephants to drink!
• At the Nyani Cultural Village in Hoedspruit you can obtain insight into the traditional lifestyle and mythology of the Shangaan people at a reconstructed authentic Shangaan village.
• Meander along the Artists' Route in Elim. Found in the foothills of the Soutpansberg, this guided or self-drive route visits pottery co-ops, weaving projects, traditional wood carvers and community-based projects - where you can purchase your own little piece of Africa and stay in sublime Limpopo accommodation along the way.  

Top Festivals and Events:

• The Limpopo Marula Festival takes place in Phalaborwa in February and includes a golf challenge, half marathon, rugby and street soccer, as well as arts, culture and an open air music concert.
• Bela Bela’s Bosveld Mile in March forms part of the Elite Swim Series that is supported by many well-known open water swimmers. It offers three age categories: 13 years and under; 14-30 years; and 31 years and older.
• The Polokwane Show and Music Festival in March has been running for more than 40 years, offering visitors live musical entertainment, a fun fair, food, drink and drum majorettes, along with a military band.
• The Bela Bela Lion Man Mountain Bike Race in May is the only race of its kind to take place fully within the bounds of Mabalingwe, a Big Five game reserve. Choose between a 35 km and an 80 km route - and also find a luxury Limpopo accommodation spot to rest your head at afterwards.
• The Ellisras Bushveld Festival takes place in late June/early July in the heart of the bushveld, in Limpopo’s Waterberg district. It encompasses cattle shows, a game auction, horse jumping, dog shows, agricultural activities and hunting opportunities, as well as traditional food, beer and camp fires.
• In August, the Fedhealth Tour de Tuli cycle tour starts in Botswana and ends in Limpopo. The tour traverses the Northern Tuli Game Reserve and the Mapungubwe National Park, making for a cycle adventure par excellence.
• Book your Limpopo accommodation early for the Waterberg Game Festival in September, which draws thousands of visitors annually to experience activities as diverse as 4 x 4 trails, a strongman tournament, the Miss Waterberg competition and music, food and drink.
• The Magoebaskloof Spring Festival starts in September and runs into early October. You’ll find displays of pottery, ceramics, glass and wood craft, wrought iron, home-made cheese, preserves and toiletries as well as a spectacular display of orchids.
• For the eco-conscious, the Sustainable Living Festival happens in Hoedspruit over September/October. It includes workshops where you can pick up Green DIY tips, as well as organic wine tasting and interactive drumming sessions. Find your choice of eco-friendly Limpopo accommodation when visiting this festival. 
• The Mapungubwe Arts Festival takes place in Polokwane in December. This festival reflects the cultures and traditions of the province and accommodates all genres of the arts, including theatre, music, fashion, film and video and cultural displays.

Things you should know:

• You can fly direct from Johannesburg to Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo.
• You can enjoy traditional African fare at cultural villages across the province, as well as purchase cultural curios and keepsakes from locally-made arts and crafts stalls.
• The Modjadji village has been ruled by a series of Rain Queens since the 16th century and is the only matriarchal tribe in southern Africa. The author H Rider Haggard based his novel ‘She’ on the Rain Queen.
• In Limpopo you can sample a curious South African cuisine – the mopane worm, which lives in the mopane trees of the hot, northern bushveld scrubland. The VhaVenda people consider this worm a delicacy.
• Limpopo is an all-year-round destination thanks to the province’s sub-tropical climate. In summer it can, however, get very hot - especially in the Lowveld region. Don’t worry though; the Limpopo accommodation spots you’ll stay in will have air conditioning and other luxuries to make your stay a memorable one.

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