Limpopo Province is Africa
undistilled. It is raw and wild and wonderfully enigmatic. With about half
of the Kruger National Park and many other game reserves, it has miles
and miles of untamed wilderness where the Big Five and other animals roam
in a space so large it may almost be considered unfenced. This low-lying
area, which is generally referred to as the Lowveld, is archetypical Africa
- broad-leafed open forest interspersed with grassy plains dominated by
huge bulbous baobab trees.
In stark contrast, the high-lying
Waterberg, which rises from the plain like a hippo standing up in a shallow
stream, has a totally different vegetation type, but is nevertheless a
fantastic game viewing destination with the added advantage of being malaria-free
- unlike Kruger and the Lowveld reserves. For wilderness of a different
kind, Limpopo Province has some of the most awesome wilderness hiking in
the world. The Blouberg and the Wolkberg (Blue Mountains and Cloud Mountains)
are wild and virtually untouched. Experienced hikers can explore spectacular
mountainous areas that few people have seen, and climbers can clock up
loads of first ascents. Deep and uncharted caves await those brave enough
to explore their depths and patient enough to endure the red tape necessary
to get permission to mount an expedition.
The Magoebaskloof area is
characterised by lovely mountain scenery. Pretty streams with tumbling
waterfalls and secluded rock pools wind their way through vast stands of
indigenous forest, many with laid out hiking trails. Limpopo has some of
the best horseback safaris in South Africa, including luxury trails in
the malaria-free Waterberg and one fabulous operation in a Big Five reserve
near Kruger. The white water rafting on the Mutale and Olifants Rivers
is wet and wild. But there's more to this fascinating place than animals,
birds, mountains, rivers and trees. With sacred forests clothed in mist,
a hereditary semi-divine queen who can make rain, and mystical lakes inhabited
by mythical giant serpents, it's a place of mystery and magic. Over Easter
literally millions of adherents of the Zionist Christian Church - a dynamic
blend of charismatic Christianity and traditional African beliefs - gather
in the holy city of Moria for a long weekend of frenzied devotion. Close
to the borders of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana, Mapungubwe was a
thriving city state in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, and its remains
have yielded fascinating archaeological data, as well as some beautiful
artefacts, the most notable of which is an exquisitely worked gold rhino.
It is a world heritage site.
Dating from a similar era,
Thulamela, in the Kruger National Park, is also worth a visit. Of great
botanical, as well as anthropological, importance is Modjaji's Forest -
the largest stand of cycads in the world. Consisting of thousands of these
austerely beautiful primitive plants, some of which reach over 13m in height,
this magical forest has been under the personal protection of Modjaji -
the hereditary Rain Queen of the Lobedu people - for centuries. But Limpopo
also has its prosaic aspects. Huge iron mines dominate the landscape in
places, and the small towns serve mostly the large farming community that
breeds cattle and grows delicious tropical crops like avocadoes, citrus
fruit, litchis, mangoes, bananas, macadamia nuts, pecan nuts, coffee and
tea. The area around Bela Bela (previously called Warmbaths) is renowned
for its therapeutic hot springs. In fact, there is a whole string of hot
springs all through the province, and the many private game lodges and
boutique hotels have attached wellness centres, so it's a great venue for
some pampering combined with a bit of game viewing.
Note: If you are planning
to travel to the Kruger National Park or Lowveld please be aware that certain
parts of this region are malarial. Consult your doctor or travel clinic
for advice and refer to our article on malaria.
Entabeni
Private Game Reserve - Eagle's Nest Eagle's Nest nestles high
on a hill overlooking Entabeni Lake and Mountain in the Entabeni Game Reserve.
Safari Lodge, Day and Night Game Drives, Guided Nature Walks, Star-Gazing,
Bird Watching, Visits to Pedi Cultural Village, Museums, Horse-Riding,
Picnic Lunches, Helicopter Flights. More than 10 000 ha of beautiful scenery
and vegetation, comprising bushveld, unspoilt ravines and wooded hillsides
that are haven to the Big Five, a large variety of game and the Eugene
Marais Cycad.
Entabeni
Private Game Reserve - Lakeside Lodge The award winning 12 000ha
Entabeni Private Game Reserve is situated in the magnificent, malaria free
Waterberg, a comfortable 3 hrs drive from Johannesburg. Lake Entabeni,
1,7km long, lies between souring bluffs and peaks, a wonderful place for
bird-watching and viewing a rich variety of wildlife. The hippos of Lake
Entabeni are a special feature. Lakeside Lodge is situated on the banks
of Lake Entabeni and offers luxurious, elegantly furnished en suite bedrooms.
24Riviere
Private Game Farm, Vaalwater (Mabatlane), Limpopo Province Only a 2,5 hours drive from
JSB Int. Airport, you will find 24Riviere Private Game Farm close to the
little town of Vaalwater (Mabatlane). The farm is located on top
of a mountain in the Malaria free Waterberg Biosphere. Staying in one of
the different types of accommodation you will experience nature at his
best. And although your stay will be in the bush or the mountains,
luxury and comfort are there, accompanied by excellent food. Enjoy the
typical African Bush or open Savannah with its beautiful views and spectacular
sunsets that you see during a game drive or from your private lodge.
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South
Africa and The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park by Edward Kirwan
South Africa has become,
in recent years an increasingly popular tourist destination. For many tourists
the size and diversity is so huge that the whole is difficult to grasp.
The National Game Parks have long been a favourite tourist destination.
The formation of the The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park takes this to
a new era. This is an ambitious, achievable and sustainable project between
the governments of Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
South Africa enjoys tourism:
Tourism is one of South Africa's
fastest-growing industries. South Africa was rated the best holiday
destination in Africa in 2005. South Africa caters for high-income travellers
looking for "something unique". The country's Shamwari Game Reserve
was voted the World's best Safari and Game Reserve 2006
The breathtaking beauty and
exciting activities that South Africa offers you, the international visitor,
are as boundless as the majestic skies.
The Great Limpopo Transfrontier
Park (GLTP) will link:
Limpopo National Park in Mozambique
Kruger National Park in South
Africa
Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji
Pan Sanctuary and Malipati Safari Area in Zimbabwe
Additionally two areas between
Kruger and Gonarezhou, namely the Sengwe communal land in Zimbabwe and
the Makuleke region in South Africa.
GLTP will initially cover some
40,000sq. km. rising to 100,000 sq.km.
The famous Kruger National Park
currently attracts 1.3 million visitors a year. It now has growing numbers
of travellers heading to it via Phalaborwa Gate in Limpopo province, and
driving across the park to Girriyondo Gate, a fairly recently opened border
post into Mozambique's Limpopo National Park.
It is an 8 hour journey along
rough roads to get to the coast in Mozambique, but the scenery is astounding
and the journey certainly worth the effort. To travel through 'the world's
greatest animal kingdom' is the thrill of a lifetime.
The Transfrontier Concept
and Objectives:
The first proposal was in
1938, by ecologist Gomes de Sousa. Designed for the protection of
eco-systems across international borders. To encourage collaboration
and co-operation between Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. To
develop trans-border eco-tourism bringing social and economic development
to the region. To remove artificial barriers that impedes the natural
movement of animals.
This enormous undertaking
in re-establishing the ecosystem of the area and demands the attention
of the wider world as a lesson in peaceful co-operation. Visiting the Great
Limpopo Transfrontier Park will not only be memorable but will aid the
local inhabitants to develop this mighty undertaking.
Kruger National Park, among
others, has a well established tourist infrastructure. They are participants
of this huge undertaking. By visiting The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
you will not only have the time of your life, you will be aiding a great
eco-sensitive and peaceful cause. You will help you build a stepping-stone
in the new African history.
South Africa, Mozambique
and Zimbabwe are to be congratulated for their vision.
About the Author - Edward
Kirwan, resides in Andalusia, Southern Spain and with Danish writer, Dorte
Holm Jensen, is co-founder of Finca
Fantastica Travel. Visit them for more travel ideas.