Country Breaks: Limpopo Venda
Where is it:
The far northern part of the Limpopo-province, on the banks of the Limpopo-river.
What it is:
The Limpopo province is extremely rich in natural, historical and cultural attractions. This tour focuses on the far northern parts with Mapungubwe and Vendaland as the main attractions. Mapungubwe, with its characteristic shaped hill, is the site of South Africa’s earliest civilisation – one that traded with Africa and the East over 1 000 years ago. They left behind a legacy of breath-taking gold artefacts, beads, pottery and ornaments.
Legacy has it that the ruins were the source of King Solomon’s gold. Vendaland, the ‘land of legend’, is a beautiful country with many sacred places. It is home to the Venda-people who are known for their fascinating cultural traditions and ceremonies for example the famous domba dance (an initiation dance by Venda maidens). The Vendas are also known for their artistry, especially their wood-carvers, beaders and potters.
The Lembas, also called the ‘black Jews of Africa’, live among the Vendas. According to DNA-tests their origin can be traced back to the Levi-priest-tribe of Israel. Legend has it that they are descendents of the love-child of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba who presumably fled to Africa (with the sacred Ark) and settled in Ethiopia. From there a splinter-group (the Lembas) moved further south and settled among the Vendas, though still retaining Jewish facial features and many Jewish traditions.
Day 1: Mapungubwe Game Reserve
What to see/ do/ experience:
Confluence tour
Watch the sun set over the Confluence, where the Limpopo- and Sashi-rivers meet and see three countries: South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Day 2: Mapungubwe/Vendaland
What to see/do/experience:
Mapungubwe Heritage tour
Includes a talk at the interpretation centre and scaling the steps up the hill where royalty lived 1 000 years ago. See evidence of the breath-taking gold artefacts, beads, pottery and ornaments.
Vendaland
Visit the mysterious Lake Fundudzi, the Big Tree (biggest baobab in the world); Phiphidi Falls and the sacred ancestral Thathe Vonde-forest. Traditional Venda-dances and Venda-meal.
Day 3: Soutpansberg
What to see/do/experience:
Venda art & culture route
The Vendas are renowned artists and craftspeople. Visit beaders, potters, woodcarvers and drum-makers at their homes and meet famous Venda artists.
Pioneer history-presentation
Dinner-talk and Skirmishes museum on the dramatic battles and legendary characters of the region.
Day 4: Rain Queen Modjadji
What to see/do/experience:
Modjadji Nature Reserve
Walk through the ancient cycad forest which lies next to the Royal Kraal of the mystical Rain Queen Modjadji.
Learn more about this living legend in the interpretation centre.
Depart home.
Download Limpopo Venda Tours brochure