Makhado
The last town on the N1 before the Soutpansberg climb and Zimbabwe — a provisioning stop and the historical Louis Trichardt.
Trip Role
Ideal stay
Best for
Our take
The N1's last provisioning stop before the Soutpansberg and Zimbabwe — use it for fuel and supplies, and move on.
The N1's last provisioning stop before the Soutpansberg and Zimbabwe — use it for fuel and supplies, and move on.
- Trip Role
- Quick Stop
- Ideal Stay
- A stop
- Best For
- Self-drivers heading north or to Mapungubwe.
- Skip If
- Lingering.
- Go If
- You're provisioning for the Zimbabwe border or the Mapungubwe turn-off.
- Worth Extra Drive
- 0 min
Why go
The last town on the N1 before the Soutpansberg climb toward the Zimbabwe border (formerly Louis Trichardt). Makhado is, for travellers, honest logistics — the fuel-and-supplies stop before the last stretch north, and a gateway to the Soutpansberg's baobab country and the Mapungubwe World Heritage site to the west. There's no tourism reason to stay; the honest use is provisioning for the border or the turn-off to Mapungubwe.
What we love
Nothing that competes with the Soutpansberg above it or Mapungubwe to its west.
What to know
The Soutpansberg pass on the N1 north is the scenic section. The Mapungubwe turn-off is west via the R522. Stock up — the far north is thin.
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