Limpopo
Kruger's northern reaches, Mapungubwe's ancient ruins, and baobab country.
Trip Role
Ideal stay
Best for
Our take
The quieter half of Kruger country, plus some of South Africa's oldest history. Worth it for travelers going deeper.
The quieter half of Kruger country, plus some of South Africa's oldest history. Worth it for travelers going deeper.
- Trip Role
- Base
- Ideal Stay
- 3–5 days
- Best For
- Safari, archaeology, baobabs
Where to go here
Bela-Bela
The hot-spring town (Warmbaths) on the N1 — a weekend resort escape from Gauteng, not a destination for travellers.
Haenertsburg
A mist-belt village on the Magoebaskloof escarpment — pines, mist, and a South African autumn of a kind you won't see in the lowveld.
Hoedspruit
The bushveld town between Kruger and the private reserves — the safari logistics hub with a real community of guides and lodges.
Makhado
The last town on the N1 before the Soutpansberg climb and Zimbabwe — a provisioning stop and the historical Louis Trichardt.
Modimolle
A hot-spring and bushveld town on the N1 (Nylstroom) — the Bela-Bela/Warmbaths chain toward the north.
Phalaborwa
The Kruger-eve base for the Phalaborwa Gate — a hot lowveld town with a river camp and the only Kruger gate on the Limpopo side.
Polokwane
Limpopo's capital on the N1 — the practical gateway to the north, Kruger's northern gates, and Zimbabwe.
Soutpansberg
The salt-pan mountain range crossing the N1 — baobabs, Venda sacred forests, and the country's best-kept escarpment drive.
Thohoyandou
The former capital of Venda and a cultural crossroads in the far north — Venda art, sacred forests, and Lake Fundudzi access.
Tzaneen
A green subtropical town in the Magoebaskloof foothills — fruit, tea, and the most underrated escarpment drive in the country.
Also in Limpopo
- Balule Nature Reserve · Private Reserve
- Greater Kruger · Safari Area
- Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre · Wildlife Experience
- Karongwe Private Game Reserve · Private Reserve
- Klaserie Game Reserve · Private Reserve
- Lake Fundudzi · Cultural Site
- Magoebaskloof Pass · Mountain Pass
- Manyeleti Game Reserve · Safari Area
- Mapungubwe National Park · National Park
- Marakele National Park · National Park
- Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre · Wildlife Experience
- Thornybush Game Reserve · Private Reserve
- Timbavati Game Reserve · Private Reserve
- Welgevonden Game Reserve · Private Reserve
Everything we cover in Limpopo
Every published place in Limpopo, grouped by what it is.
National Park · 1
Private Reserve · 2
Mountain · 1
Waterfall · 1