Limpopo Venda
4 days, 3 nights
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 National Park and Vendaland as the main attractions. Mapungubwe is a World Heritage site, where South Africa’s earliest civilisation traded with Africa and the East over 1 000 years ago. They left behind a legacy of breath-taking gold artifacts, beads, pottery and ornaments. Legacy has it that this was the source of King Solomon’s gold.
Vendaland, the ‘land of legend’, is a beautiful country with many sacred places, such as Lake Fundudzi and the Thathe Vonde sacred forest. 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.
Tour Programme
Day 1: Mapungubwe National Park & Confluence Tour
The tour starts in Johannesburg from where we take the road northwards to Mapungubwe, the youngest of South Africa’s National Parks. We watch the sun set over the Confluence, where the Limpopo- and Sashi-rivers meet and look out over three countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Overnight Mapungubwe National park. Dinner included.
Day 2: Mapungubwe Heritage tour & Vendaland
We depart early on the 4x4 drive to Mapungubwe Hill and excavation site. We scale the steps up the hill where royalty lived 1 000 years ago. See evidence of the breath-taking gold artifacts, beads, pottery and ornaments.
We depart for Vendaland to visit the mysterious Lake Fundudzi, and Big Tree, the biggest baobab in the world (time permitting). Overnight in one of the many lodges in Vendaland or around Louis Trichardt. Dinner included
Day 3: Venda art & culture route
The Vendas are renowned artists and craftspeople. We visit beaders, potters, word-carvers and drum-makers at their homes, traversing the winding dirt roads amongst the villages and characteristic lush mountainous scenery. Opportunity to buy arts and crafts. Overnight in Vendaland or Louis Trichardt. Dinner included
Day 4: Modjadji Cycad forest en route to Johannesburg
Depart Vendaland and drive south towards Tzaneen. Visit the Modjadji Cycad forest which lies next to the kraal of the mystical Rain Queen Modjadji. There is a small interpretation centre in which more information on this legendary Queen with her rain-making powers can be obtained.
General Information:
Limpopo Mapungubwe & Vendaland comes in 3- and 4-star packages. It includes accommodation B&B (3 nights), transport, registered tour guide, meals (3 breakfasts, 3 dinners); Mapungubwe confluence and heritage tours, Lake Fundudzi, Venda art & culture tour, and Modjadi cycad forest walk. Programme can be adapted according to your needs.
Optional activities:
- Kruger National Park excursion (northernmost camp: Punda Maria)
- Venda dancers and traditional Venda meal
- Skirmishes route-presentation
- Dzata ruins and Dzata museum of the drum
- Soutpansberg hikes (magnificent ecosystem
- Pafuri and Crooks Corner-excursion (KNP).