Province · Kruger, Mpumalanga e Limpopo

Limpopo

Limpopo, in the north: the northern side of the Kruger, with Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa, the ancient kingdom of Mapungubwe, the baobabs and the Waterberg mountains.

In the photo: Mapungubwe

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

The province

Get to know Limpopo

Limpopo is the northernmost province of South Africa, bordering Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It has savannas, baobabs, mountains and much of Kruger National Park, as well as private safari reserves.

The Kruger side in Limpopo is visited from Phalaborwa, a town next to one of the park gates, and from Hoedspruit, a base for the neighboring private reserves, such as those of the Greater Kruger. The landscape is drier and more open than the southern part of the park, with mopane trees and baobabs.

At the far north, Mapungubwe National Park preserves the ruins of an African kingdom that traded gold and ivory about a thousand years ago, a World Heritage Site. From the top of Mapungubwe Hill you can see the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, where South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe meet. The golden rhinoceros found there is one of the country's symbols.

To the west, the Waterberg is a biosphere reserve of mountains and savannas, with safari reserves. In the east, the Venda region has sacred lakes and forests, and near Tzaneen lies the Queen of the Rain's cycads forest, Modjadji. The capital is Polokwane.

When to go

From May to September, in the dry winter, vegetation is lower and animals tend to gather near water, which makes safaris easier. From October to April it is very hot, rains in afternoon showers and the savanna turns green. Limpopo is 5 hours ahead of Brasília.

Getting there

Hoedspruit (HDS) and Phalaborwa (PHW) have airports with flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town, close to Kruger gates. Polokwane (PTG) also receives flights from Johannesburg. By car, Hoedspruit is about 5.5 hours from Johannesburg, and Mapungubwe about 6 hours.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Limpopo

What is the difference between the Kruger in Limpopo and in Mpumalanga?

The Limpopo side, in the central and northern parts of the park, is drier and more open, with baobabs and less traffic. The south, in Mpumalanga, is more visited and has more roads.

What is the Greater Kruger?

The Kruger National Park together with neighboring private reserves, without fences between them, where animals roam freely. Many are near Hoedspruit.

What to see in Mapungubwe?

The ruins of the ancient kingdom on the hilltop, the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, and the landscape of baobabs and sandstone rocks.

When to go to Limpopo for safari?

From May to September, in the dry winter, when vegetation is lower and animals concentrate near water.

Tap a province to see its destinations. Limites: South African Municipal Demarcation Board / OCHA ROSEA / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.