A LAND OF LEGENDS

Myths and legends are the common thread running through any visit to the Vhembe Biosphere, but the region is one of spectacular scenery as well as the cultural richness and hosts over 540 bird species, making it a very rewarding birding destination. The mighty Limpopo River creates a geographical embrace around the most northerly boundaries of Botswana and Zimbabwe while the Soutpansberg mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to this Land of Legend where the deep and ancient rhythms of Africa will capture your heart.

TRAVEL HOTSPOTS.

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The Vhembe Biosphere Reserve has some of the most unique, untouched, unexplored areas in the province making it a popular tourism hotspot for visitors. From Kruger National Park’s Pafuri and Makuleke areas to the Mapungubwe UNESCO World Heritage Site in the west, landscapes range from bushveld to waterfalls, lakes, mountains and forests, attracting visitors to the area and acting as a dramatic backdrop to the rich social context. The Vhembe District has many stories resulting from the region's cultural heritage which is shared through the stories, myths, arts and crafts. This is the common thread running through any visit to the region from the mighty Limpopo River which creates a geographical embrace around the most northerly boundaries of Botswana and Zimbabwe to the Soutpansberg mountains which provide a dramatic backdrop to this Land of Legend.

The Sacred Spaces of Venda

Venda is known as the land of legend and the sacred spaces of Lake Fundudzi or the Thathe Vonde forest still have myths, rituals and stories which protect the beautiful nature spaces. At Thate Vonde Sacred Forest, the ancestors are believed to be protected by a white lion who resides there alongside the bird Ndadzi whose eyes flash like lightning as it flies on wings of thunder. Lake Fundudzi is inhabited by the revered Python God who beats his rocky drums to the singing of young women, swaying to the rhythm of the Domba Dance. The Dzhata Archaeological Sites and Dry Stone Wall Ruins, Phiphidi Waterfalls, and many other historical and eco-cultural heritage sites linked to stories of old, are kept alive through storytelling, dance and song.

Ribola Art Route

Experience the 'Art-beat of Limpopo through the artists, crafters and musicians of the Ribola Art Route in Mbokota, near Elim, personifying the true African spirit - a melting pot of Tsonga, Venda and Shangaan cultures. Ribola celebrates this authentic rhythm through art, music and the age-old African tradition of story-telling. Visiting the Ribola Art Route is an interaction which draws you in to the lives of these talented artists and crafters with immersive experiences like learning to draw and paint a cloth of your very own, making a clay pot with Ma Florah, have delicious flame-grilled chicken at Caesar’s chicken or rock to the rhythms of Limpopo when you learn to play musical instrument, creating an original song with the band.

The Pafuri Corridor

In the northern-most section of the Kruger National Park, there are no fences between South Africa and the neighbouring countries of Zimbabwe through the Sengwe Corridor, and Mozambique through the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Pafuri is considered to be one of South Africa’s last true wilderness areas and the rich floodplain between the Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers is the most bio-diverse part of the Kruger Park. The Makuleke Conservancy at Pafuri is often described as the jewel of northern Kruger Park. The 24 000-ha private concession is cradled by the Luvuvhu river to the south and the Limpopo river to the north and the alluvial floodplains mixed with the dominant sandveld environment contributes to a huge diversity of fauna and flora.

Blouberg & Makgabeng

The Blouberg mountain range close to Vivo, 100km North of Polokwane is wild and wonderful. The Blouberg Nature Reserve is situated on the eastern portion of the ‘Blue Mountains’ and covers an area of 9360ha of varied terrain and habitats. This protected area is well known for its Cape Vulture breeding colony. Nearby, the Makgabeng Plateau rises dramatically from the landscape and hides over 800 rock art sites and Iron Age sites. Giant sandstone overhangs and inselbergs create perfect sites for a unique layering of history from the perspective of the San, with their delicate and detailed drawings or the patterned markings of the Khoikhoi as well as the depiction of historical events painted by the Pedi people.

The Greater Soutpansberg

The Soutpansberg mountain range stretches 130 kilometres from the little town of Vivo in the west and gets its name from the giant salt pan which has been a source of salt for centuries. The mountains stretch east to west for approximately 130 kilometres with towering peaks reaching more than 1,500 m above sea level. The Soutpansberg is a unique wilderness area which boasts a fertile plateau with over 500 tree species, 50 of which are endemic to either the Soutpansberg Range or the Limpopo River Valley. The huge variety of mammals, reptiles and over 450 birds as well as the endemic Swanepoel's Widow Butterfly makes the Soutpansberg a favourite destination for hikers, mountain-bikers, birders and nature-lovers.

Mapungubwe National Park

Mapungubwe is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage sites in South Africa as well as being one of the Peace Park Foundation’s Transfrontier Conservation Area joining together once again the wild areas in Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. At the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers lies a series of walkways to lookout points over these mighty rivers. Hundreds of years ago, its geographic position made it a prime site for trade with India, China and Egypt and now, visitors can take a tour up Mapungubwe Hill with an experienced cultural guide; visit the award-winning Interpretation Centre or experience an ancient Anna Tree forest by walking at canopy level on a series of wooden walkways.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES.

The Vhembe Biosphere provides ample opportunity for you to immerse yourself in unique authentic experiences designed to connect travellers to the special places, people and cultures within communities and conservation areas. Curated by Love Limpopo and expertly guided by passionate locals, these immersive travel experiences inspire you as a traveller to have a more meaningful tourism journey, where you not only participate actively in the creative and enriching process of sharing indigenous knowledge, but also make a positive impact on the areas you visit. Whether it is learning how to make a traditional clay pot on the Ancient Trade Routes or harvesting salt in a 2000 year-old process, you can truly get under the skin of a destination and make your travels an adventure you will never forget.

PLACES TO STAY.

Vhembe Biosphere Reserve has a large variety of accommodation options to suit every preference and budget. From conservancy spaces and nature reserves to high-end lodges; comfortable B&B’s or unique campsites. The common denominator is the beautiful nature space in which you will find yourself when you visit this diverse area.

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NAHAKWE LODGE

Nahakwe Lodge is a 4-star, community-owned and run Lodge near Elim. The free-standing chalets and rondawels, offer guests private and comfortable accommodation, and the rooms are decorated by artists from the local area. The spacious thatched lounge and dining area also has a bar so travellers can enjoy sundowners under the spreading Marula Tree. Crafters and artists on the Ribola Art route are 30 minutes away and visitors can engage with artists of the calibre of Thomas Kubayi, the Twananani Co-Operative & Mukundoni Pottery Village. Nahakwe is also a perfect stopover on the way to explore the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve.

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AWELANI LODGE

Dramatic sandstone outcrops hide what is probably San and Khoi rock art and traditional Venda grain storage at Awelani safari lodge near Pafuri Gate in the northern section of Kruger National Park. Explore this 1700 hectare conservancy on foot or mountain bike through a remarkable array of trees from ancient Baobabs, Mopane and towering Lobombo Ironwoods. Visitors can have sundowners at the poolside or the unique experience of dinner in the rocky overhang above the camp where accommodation ranges from self-catering chalets, bungalows and safari tents to a camping site.

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AIR BLOUBERG

Tucked into the foothills of the Blouberg mountains, the African Ivory Routes Blouberg Cultural Camp feels cut off from the world, a place where you can turn off your phone, head off on a walk towards the sky and a refreshing dip in mountain pools, or laze under the trees and read the latest bestseller. Much later, sit around a crackling braai fire under a blanket of stars. The Blouberg Camp has just 5 traditional-style huts so is perfect for your family or friends to book them all and have the place completely to yourselves. No traffic, no deadlines, no meetings to attend and only the sound of birdsong as your morning wake-up call. There is great hiking, birding and the Vulture colony and Makgabeng rock art sites nearby

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CONNECT.CONSERVE.CAPACITATE

A LAND OF LEGENDS

TRAVEL HOTSPOTS.

View a map of the region

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES.

PLACES TO STAY.

NAHAKWE LODGE

AWELANI LODGE

AIR BLOUBERG

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