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THE SOUTPANSBERG REGION
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The Soutpansberg, Limpopo: Deriving
its name from the remarkable mountain range that stretches for roughly 200 kilometres in
an east to west direction, the Soutpansberg region lies dominated by these craggy peaks of
origin. The ‘Tha vhani ya muno’ (mountain of salt) - a land mass that rises from
the bushveld like an avenging angel - derives its name from the large salt pan to the
north-west of the range that for centuries has served as a source of salt.
Largely undiscovered by tourists, the Soutpansberg region is a mass of sweeping plains of
indigenous bush on whose stark openness the baobab tree serves as a powerful symbol of
effortless beauty. The impressive panorama of mountain provides a relief of indigenous
rain forests that overwhelm the slopes and offer incredible views. The many forest trails
provide a lovely alternative to the blue-haze of heat that hangs over the bushveld. |
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SOUTPANSBERG DESTINATIONS
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  Best explored at
leisure, the picturesque town of Louis
Trichardt lies in one of the loveliest regions of the country, the Soutpansberg. This
historic town serves a thriving farming community. Vast cattle and game ranches occur in
the area, and citrus, subtropical fruit, nuts and vegetables are produced on .... Louis
Trichardt Info » |
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 Thohoyandou is the
former capital of the independent homeland and the proud heart of the VhaVenda people.
It's name means "head of the elephant" in tshiVenda. The town is the commercial,
administrative and legislative centre for the district. It is a bustling centre of
commerce, well served with ... Thohoyandou Info
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 The northernmost
town in the country serves an extensive game ranching area, but is perhaps better known
for copper mining which has been carried out here since prehistoric times. Musina has many
recreational facilities, including a golf course set among mopane and baobab trees ... Musina
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Alldays |
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| Alldays is a small town serving as the centre
for a large area of private game and hunting farms. Characterised by beautiful bushveld, a
profusion of game and excellent resorts. Being a hunters' paradise, trophies of the
different species of game are available on many of these farms. There are also
taxidermists in the area. |
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SOUTPANSBERG ATTRACTIONS
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| South-east of Louis
Trichardt, the Ben Lavin Game reserve is well stocked with game, including a variety of
large mammals. Some 238 species have been recorded. Facilities included 40 km of roads for
game viewing, four walking trails, hides at waterholes and an environmental awareness ....
Ben Lavin
Nature Reserve » |
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 Lake Fundudzi,
surrounded by mountains, is venerated by the Venda people, as the area was originally
settled by powerful medicine men. The Venda believe that the spirits of the medicine men
still inhabit the region. They also believe that the lake is the home of the python god of
fertility. No one washes or ... Lake Fundudzi » |
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MAPUNGUBWE
NATIONAL PARK |
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 Mapungubwe is South Africa’s first kingdom, a highly complex society
that marked the heart of a pre-Shona kingdom between 1050 AD and 1270 AD, only to be
abandoned in the 14th century. The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape - the virtually untouched
remains of the palace sites, the ... Mapungubwe National Park » |
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 Limpopo Hiking Trails: Limpopo is wild and
enigmatic. It boasts long stretches of untamed wildermness with thorn and Baobab trees,
magical mountain ranges and is also home to the Big 5. It is named after the great Limpopo
River that flows along its northern border and contains a .... Limpopo Hiking Trails
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THE BAOBABS |
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These giant trees grow mainly in the hot,
semi-arid areas north of the Soutpansberg mountain. Legend has it that in a frivolous
mood, the gods planted Baobabs upside down with their roots exposed to the sky. The baobab
tree (Adansonia digitata) is one of the trees in Africa with the longest life
span. The average age of the Baobabs found in the northern parts of Limpopo are between
300 and 500 years old. Near Sagole, a rural village in the north east of the province, a
baobab specimen can be visited that is 3,000 years old and measures 43 metres in
circumference at base.
Baobabs are among the most useful plants to both animals and humans. With its own distinct
ecosystem, Baobabs swarm with life as it provides shelter and sustenance for various
creatures. Elephants browse the leaves and strip the bark for food and moisture.
Baboons feast on the fruits of the tree while birds
(and bees) nest in the holes in the trunk, as most of the old trees are hollow inside.
Fruit bats and bush babies pollinate the flowers that only last for 24 hours before
falling to the ground to become food for various antelope species. |
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