Soak Up the Sun and Be Historic in Limpopo

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When we think of the vast lands of Africa, we experience the ambience of history, culture, flora, fauna and everything under the wildlife category. You might have heard of Limpopo before, but shooed away the idea of visiting it since it sounded so distant from where you want to be in Africa.

However, if you’d give this place a chance, you won’t regret your decision in setting foot on this massive and heavenly fortress of naturally-spawned trees, animals and people.

The rocks which are magnificently created by nature, animals including meerkats and rhinos combined with the city’s amazingly hospitable people, Limpopo is such a difficult place to neglect. As a UNESCO biosphere reserve, a traveller would want to go back to Limpopo repeatedly.

Location

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Situated in the middle of other developing countries and cities, Limpopo shares international and local borders with Botswana’s Central and Kgatleng districts on its west and north-west ends, Matabeleland Sound and Masvingo provinces of Zimbabwe on its northern peak and northeastern outskirts and Gaza Province lying to the east.

Limpopo is the bridge between South Africa and other nations which is near the sub-Saharan Africa group. On the immediate southern border, stretching from East to West lays Mpumalanga, Gauteng and the county of North West.

Since it somehow encompasses entry and exit passages to other provinces and nations, Limpopo is a busy and bustling city of regional, national and international markets for commerce and trade.

Climate

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Limpopo’s climate involves long summer afternoons and the driest of days. Because of the town’s location on the globe, sunshine is at its best when you visit with summer months with a temperature of 27-degree Celsius.

The sunny weather will give you more time outside to wander their nature-blessed lands. Expect your mornings to be a little bit colder than the rest of the day as temperature becomes warmer in the afternoon.

Transportation

The main entrance to Limpopo is located in the eastern side of the province which is the Eastgate Airport. While there are no direct flights to the city of Limpopo, Eastgate Airport is set to offer scheduled flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town.

You don’t need to fret as some travel companies specifically set to bring clients to Limpopo will have their own arrangements for you to enter this majestic land, and they will take care of everything concerning your visit.

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Other options for local transportation include Spoornet, which is an inter-state railway that encompasses links between other nearby cities. While Spoornet will not provide you a luxurious trip like the bullet trains of Japan, this one is reasonably-priced, comfortable, clean and safe from outside noises. It is a top pick to get to Limpopo and other nearby provinces.

However, if you’re the picky type of traveler, you might want to grab a seat on the Blue Line, which, like Spoornet, runs through the veins of Southern African provinces. Rovos Rail, another upscale version of Spoornet is also available, and is a beautifully-restored steam locomotive for the rich and the affluent.

What to See

Marakele National Park

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The Marakele National Park is hugely known for its mountain ranges and dense tree formations. Feel in touch with your biological side as you are set to witness Africa animals from different kingdoms including elephants, black and white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, leopards and cheetahs.

The landscape where the animals graze is such a wonderful patch of land worthy to be seen and felt. Endangered Cape vultures dot the Marakele National Park’s sky which is such an experience to behold.

Interpretative Center

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Not straying from the land where it stands, The Interpretive or Impressive Center is a sharp modern edifice retaining its vow to look naturally pleasing to the eye. Various curated exhibits are seen in its air-conditioned interior, and hordes of information can be learned about the Limpopo and Mapungubwe landscape and inhabitants.

A lot of archaeological digs and priceless works of art adorn the inside of this contemporary center. Beadworks so exquisite one would drool over them and the famous replica of a gold rhino are also sights to lay your eyes on.

Modjadji Nature Reserve

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One of Limpopo’s protected forests, the Modjadji Nature Reserve has its roots dating back to when the Ancient Modjadji cycad trees were first planted.

Summer does wonders in this natural reserve, together with the proud Bolobdeu Mountains, giving an ambience that relaxes both the soul and your eyes. About 10 kilometers from Route 36, Modjadji Nature Reserve is easy to find wherever you are in South Africa.

Bakone Malapa Open-Air Museum

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Located 9 kilometers south of Polokwane on Route 37 to Chuniespoort, this museum evokes the customs of the Northern Sotho people who lived here 300 years ago.

The tour of the recreated village shows how pots are made and there are demonstrations for tools such as the antelope horn trumpet and marula root matches.

Kings Walden

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If feasting your eyes on gardens and landscapes is your fetish, going to Kings Walden must be at the top of your itinerary. This 300-square meter English garden will treat your eyes with its sweeping lawns only to be cut by a weird tree struck by lightning.

A swimming pool, for animals and humans alike, is placed somewhere within Kings Walden and endless tracks of greens keep the beauty of the place at its finest.

Kaross

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Next to the busy workshop, a shop sells vivid wall drapes, cushion covers, tunics and table mats, all of which are designed here and embroidered by 1200 local Shangaan women.

The quality is very good and the designs are skillful and colorful. There’s also an excellent courtyard cafe with decadent desserts.

30 kilometers east of Tzaneen, turn left to Route 529 to Giyani and, after 9 kilometers, the Kaross embroidery cooperative will be to your right.

http://laurenceourac.com/soak-up-the-sun-and-be-historic-in-limpopo/

Images
(1) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Limpopo.jpg
(2) http://www.booktravel.travel/images/limpopo_mpuma_swazi_1000.jpg
(3) http://i2.wp.com/www.cyclingaroundtheworld.nl/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_1612.jpg
(4) http://www.10wallpaper.com/wallpaper/1920×1200/1211/bombardier_crj1000_aircraft-airplane_Wallpapers_1920x1200.jpg
(5) http://www.kirabosafaris.co.za/wp-content/gallery/kirabo-gallery-1/marakele.jpg
(6) https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Iik-hVBb7aM/maxresdefault.jpg
(7) https://sncdn.com/db/id/717786/g174228.jpg
(8) http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/66159699.jpg
(9) http://cdn2.africatravelresource.com/africa/southafrica/northeast/panoraman/letaba/kings-walden-guest-house/0/stills/02arrival/01SKIN-IM1001-kings-walden-guest-house-1475.JPG
(10) https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=kaross