Limpopo is renowned as the province of peace. It is endowed with bountiful natural resources, including 54 provincial reserves and many private game reserves. A few hours from Gauteng, the Province boasts the Waterburg mountain range, supporting the thriving farming and game ranching, nature reserves and resorts. Heading further north into the Province there is Polokwane - the capital of the province, with an excellent growing infrastructure, a modern international airport and offering a wealth of diverse cultural experiences.
East of the city the R71 takes you to the subtropical part of the Valley of the Olifants, the verdant Magoebaskloof Valley. Further eastwards takes you into the heart of the 'big five' parks of the country and some of the prime game farms in Africa, including the Kruger National Park - majestic in extent and abundant in wild life.
The hot climate makes Limpopo a pleasant year-round holiday destination. During summer - that is in the months October to March - it is hot with brief afternoon showers, providing a cooling effect for evenings. In winter - from May to September - the mornings are crisp, the days are dry and sunny and the evenings cold and clear.
Fauna and Flora - All creatures large and small, from the massive hippopotamus to the diminutive mongoose are found in their unspoilt natural habitat. The wild dog the endangered species has a complex hierarchy. Packs of wild dogs are capable of hunting surprisingly large prey. The spectrum of game species include large populations of giraffe, kudus, gemsbok, nyala, water buck, klip springer, impala, a blue wild beest and zebra, white lions that are truly white lions not albinos for instance in Timbavati Private nature reserve, elephants, buffalo, rhinoceros, leopards, cheetahs, red duiker, samango, monkeys, bushbuck, bushpigs and a countless others. There also more than 300 species of birds including the endangered species like vultures at Moletjie Nature Reserve 20 kilometres north west of Polokwane.
The magnificent cycad forest near Tzaneen, the Modjadji Cycad (Encephalartos transvernosus) of the Rain Queen is one of the largest cycads in the world and it is a protected species. The Boaboab tree, which is found only in Limpopo in the country, is an awe inspiration to the visitor, they are hundreds of years old and mostly they are found on the Northern part of the province. They are well preserved in the Baboab Tree Reserve in the Mussina Nature Reserve.
A unique feature of this province is that it shares international borders with three countries: Botswana to the west and north-west, Zimbabwe to the north, and Mozambique to the east. Limpopo is the link between South Africa and countries further afield in sub-Saharan Africa. On its Southern flank, the province shares borders with Gauteng, with its Johannesburg-Pretoria axis, the most industrious metropole on the continent. Thus the province is placed at the centre of the vortex of developing markets, regional, national and international.
These connections are very well served by excellent road, rail and air links. The N1 route from Johannesburg which goes through the length of the province is the busiest overland route in Africa in terms of cross border trade in raw materials and beneficiated goods. The port of Durban, Africa’s busiest, is served directly by the province, as are the ports of Richard’s Bay and Maputo. The other most significant facility in the province as the heartland of an emerging market, is the Gateway international airport situated in Polokwane the capital of the province.
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