Modjadjiskloof, Valley of the Olifants
Lying at the foot of the escarpment in Limpopo is a little town formerly known as Duiwelskloof or Devil's Gorge.
Today, the town is named Modjadjiskloof in tribute to the Rain Queen, Modjadji - the traditional mystic ruler of the Balobedu people who live in this beautiful, heavily wooded part of the country, where tranquil forest drives consistently hint at the mysticism that surrounds the legendary Rain Queen. The hereditary queen of the Balobedu, Modjadji or Rain Queen, has special powers bestowed on her that grant her the ability to control clouds and rainfall.
The succession is matrilineal and the Queen's eldest daughter automatically steps in to take on the mantle. The Balobedu are without a reigning queen at present as the former queen Makobo Modjadji VI died at only 27 years of age, in 2005, leaving no heir to the throne. Tradition holds that the queen communicates to her people via male councillors and indunas. She gives up any appearances at public functions and never marries. Instead, she bears children by her close relatives and is cared for by her ‘wives', sent from many villages in Ga-Modjadji. Upon approaching her death, she takes poison after appointing her eldest daughter as her successor.
The Modjadji royal palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions, located as it is close to the Royal Modjadji Nature Reserve, where some of the oldest and largest cycad specimens in the world form part of a unique and natural forest.
The reserve is a treasure, not only for the giant specimens that stand as high as 13 metres and bear cones that weigh up to 34 kilograms, but also for the sheer beauty of the mist that often overlays the area and lends it an atmosphere of otherworldliness.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
We had a nice stay in December 2014 at Tremisana Game Lodge. I can't forget the monkey that drank a juice from the glass whilst we were in the breakfast area. We laughed our lungs out.
Lizeka Masilela (Brakpan)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options

11 Raptors Lodge
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Phomola Manor
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Amafu Forest Lodge
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Maninghi Lodge
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Royal Game Guest House
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UmDeni Africa One
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444 on Taaibos Bush Villa
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Muweti Bush Lodge
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Things to do in the area

Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour
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Mosaic at Alon Farm
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The Big Baobar
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Self Drive Tzaneen to Haenertsburg
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Noteworthy attractions

Kruger National Park
The largest game reserve in South Africa, the Kruger National Park is larger than Israel. Nearly 2 million hectares of land that stretch for 352 ...

Kruger National Park Tours
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Hans Merensky Golf Club
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Balule Game Reserve
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Hans Merensky Nature Reserve
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Kapama Game Reserve
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Karongwe Game Reserve
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Klaserie Game Reserve
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Manyeleti Game Reserve
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