Limpopo
Previously known as the Northern Province, Limpopo is the northernmost province in South Africa. It shares its borders with the countries of Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe and it is filled with an interesting array stunning scenery and attractions. The province is named after the Limpopo River which is the province’s most important river and which creates the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe. It is also known for the majestic baobab trees which grow here in abundance and which have long captured the imagination of writers, artists and travelers.
The Limpopo Province is a place of myth and legend. The area has a strong sense of history and culture and many ancient relics from the past may be found here. The beauty of the landscape is absolutely breathtaking and the hot, dry weather is both appreciated and despised in equal measure. This is essentially the game reserve capital of the country with literally hundreds of different private game reserves competing for customers. It is also the home of the world famous Kruger National Park and two ground breaking transfrontier parks – namely: The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and The Limpopo/Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Area. Both of these enable South Africa and other countries that share its borders to remove the borders that divide their natural habitats so that several protected natural areas can be merged to form one massive protected environment under a collaborative management. Doing this enables the national parks involved to provide a more suitable habitat for a number of animals and has made it possible to re-establish the existence of several kinds of endangered animals in these areas.
Another aspect of the province that makes it so attractive are the many wild and distinctive mountain escarpments found here. The most significant and dramatic of these is the first rise of the Drakensberg Escarpment which later goes on to sweep across the country from the northern half to the southern half. However, you’ll find more diversity on the woody slopes of the Letaba area, just east of Polokwane, the provincial capital. Filled with lakes, waterfalls and forests, this part of the province makes for excellent nature walks. The Waterberg Mountains are lower and gentler than the other two. They used to serve primarily as a cattle farming and hunting area, but in the last two decades they have been altered into a beautiful wildlife conservation area. Today this area is now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offering malaria-free Big-Five game viewing.
Finally, the subtropical Soutpansberg Mountains offer the perfect introduction to the Venda culture. Just north of the mountains you will find the mind boggling baobab trees that have become so famous. So give the Limpopo Province a try and discover a whole new corner of Africa!