BEST OF LIMPOPO
They call Limpopo the Great North. It is the land of the stately baobab, a land shrouded in myth and legend. The history of this area dates back to ancient times, and rock art and ruins of sophisticated societies bear witness to those who have lived here. Today, Limpopo is heralded for its cultural diversity and people of the Tsonga, Venda and Sepedi cultures live together without conflict. One can get back to nature in Limpopo with three national parks and many nature reserves; this is the place to encounter wildlife and appreciate the African sun set over the Bushveld.
Kruger National ParkThe conservation jewel of Southern Africa, the Kruger National Park is a must-see for any visitor to the country. With its tranquility, open safari opportunities and established rest camps, you are sure to see many of the 500 plus species of birds, 150 mammal species, nearly 2000 species of plants and the Big Five, leopard, elephant, buffalo, lion and rhino. The Kruger National Park crosses the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, but 70% of the park falls into Limpopo. The four gates of the park that lie within the province are the Pafuri, Punda Maria, Phalaborwa and Orpen gates. The part of the park that is found in Limpopo is renowned for its herds of elephant and buffalo, large numbers of tsessebe and sable and a diverse bird life. |  | The best time for observing wildlife is the dry winter season when the grass is low; the trees are bare and there is an unobstructed view of the surrounding area. During this season, visitors can spot the animals when they come to waterholes in the mornings and evenings. |
Great Limpopo Transfrontier ParkIn an understanding that nature doesn`t recognize country borders, the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park was formed in 2002. The park is now being extended into a mega-conservation area linking the Kruger National Park in South Africa, the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique and the Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary and the Malipati Safari Area in Zimbabwe. Fences between the parks are being removed and animals, especially herds of elephants, can once again follow old migratory routes. Mapungubwe National Park | Explore the ruins of a sophisticated Iron Age Kingdom at the Mapungubwe National Park. Mapungubwe was the centre of the largest kingdom in the subcontinent. Its people traded gold and ivory with countries as far away as China, Egypt and India. The ruins of Mapungubwe were discovered in 1932 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |  | | Makapansgat | | Ever pondered the origin of Man? Perhaps the fossils in the Makapansgat Valley will shed some light. Some of the discoveries in this area include fossils of early ape-men estimated to be over 3 million years old. The Cave of Hearths was particularly bountiful and gives us the most complete record of hominid life in the world. | | The Baobab tree |
|
