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Province: Limpopo Province
Region: Soutpansberg Region

Towns: 
Alldays  |  Makhado (Louis Trichardt)  |  Musina ( Messina)
Thohoyandou

Tourist Routes/ Meanders
The African Ivory Route

The Soutpansberg Region is named after the impressive mountain range that stretches for some 130 km from west to east through the region. The area incorporates endless expanses of undulating indigenous bush characterised by the remarkable form of the baobab, wonderful wildlife, a profusion of birds and exciting adventure opportunities.

The region boasts one of the most varied natural, geological, archaeological and cultural systems in the world and a fascinating history dating back many centuries to when the San roamed the
veld and left us their artworks on rocks in caves. These were the times when Arabs and Indians sailed their dhows down south and traded beads and ceramics for the gold and ivory of the ancient
African kingdoms ensconced in their fortresses at Mapungubwe and Thulamela.

New cultural groups gradually moved in and the history of the VhaVenda and Shangaan became intertwined with that of the Voortrekkers to create a wonderful historical tapestry. Tales abound of the colourful characters who inhabited the area: Popi, who united the VhaVenda nation and later became known as

Thohoyandou; Joao Albasini, the Portuguese trader who became headman of the Shangaans; the renegade Coenraad de Buys whose descendants still live in Buysdorp; BveKenya Barnard, the master poacher of the perilous Ivory Trail; and Voortrekker leader Louis Trichardt, after whom the principal town was previously named. Today the town is called Makhado, after the VhaVenda leader who ruled in the area for many years.


NATIONAL PARKS
The Soutpansberg region is famous for its many Nature Reserves, National Parks, game farms and other conservation areas. The wide variety of habitat is represented in the many nature reserves and national parks. This is Africa at its best. Experience the wild animals in their natural habitat and the many cycles of nature.

Messina Nature Reserve
This reserve with several water holes allows excellent game viewing and bird watching. 

Nwanedi National Park
Situated on the R525 a few kilometers east of Tshipise. 

Mapungubwe National Park
The youngest national park, and unique in that it is a joint project between the governments of South Africa and Botswana, a true trans-border park. A unique arrangement makes it possible for visitors to tour the national park without any checkpoints inside the park. A true representation of the good relations that are possible between different nations. The park is developed around the historic archaeological site of Mapungubwe. 

Kruger National Park
Access this world famous National Park through the Punda Maria gate on the R524 through Thohoyandou or through the Pafuri gate on the R525. 

Langjan Nature Reserve
This reserve was established to preserve the only remaining herd of gemsbok in the area. Today this nature reserve houses many antelope and other species of wild life. Situated on the R521 between Vivo and Alldays it is worth a visit. 

Blouberg Nature Reserve
Situated on the Blouberg (Blue Mountain) and near Vivo, this nature reserve will delight you with its untouched and unspoiled natural area. .

MEANDERS
The Soutpansberg Region is divided into 13 Meanders or Routes for your convenience. You can see the different Meanders on the Meander Map. Each of the Meanders presents a unique portrait of this mysterious land and is clearly marked with different colors. 

1.TROPIC OF CAPRICORN MEANDER
This Meander stretches from the Tropic of Capricorn in the south, to Louis Trichardt further north. It is the most southerly Meander in the Soutpansberg Region. The Soutpansberg Region is easily accessible from the Gauteng (Johannesburg International Airport) area. The N1 National Road stretches from Johannesburg and Pretoria to the Beit Bridge border post in the north. After a four-hour drive, enter the Soutpansberg Region at the Tropic of Capricorn 50 kilometers north of Pietersburg. Pietersburg is the largest city in the Northern Province and its capital. C

2.ELIM - GIYANI
This Meander on the R578 starts 17 kilometers south of Louis Trichardt on the N1. This picturesque Meander will take you to the oldest hospital in the Northern Province - the Elim Hospital. As early as 1875, a Swiss missionary settled in the Soutpansberg where the Elim Hospital was to be established. At the start of the previous century, Elim Hospital, under the administration of the Swiss Missionaries, was the prime center for medical services to people north of Pretoria. The road to Giyani, the capital of the previous Gazankulu homeland, is through some of the most rural parts of the region.

3.SOUTHERN SLOPE
The Southern Slope Meander on the R522 is the transport link south of the Soutpansberg Mountain to the west of Louis Trichardt. Take a picturesque tour through this part of the region, which is blessed with a rich variety of fauna and flora. Visit Schoemansdal, a reconstructed small frontier town, which was vacated in 1867. It is now an open-air museum where the remains of structures from the first Voortrekkers can be seen. Pay a visit to the Kranspoort Mission station that was erected in memory of Rev. MacKidd who did missionary work amongst the Buys people in 1863. Buysdorp, where the descendants of the famous Coenraad de Buys still lives, is a sleepy town against the slopes of the Soutpansberg mountain. 


4.NORTHERN SLOPE
The Northern Slope Meander on the R523 offers a wealth of attractions and winds for approximately 50 kilometers along the northern foothills of the Soutpansberg Mountain. The famous saltpans, are the oldest producing saltpans in the province, and were used for salt collection as far back as 1836. 


5.LEVUBU sub Tropical Fruit Basket
The turnoff to Levubu on the R534 will delight you with some of the most beautiful sub-tropical farms where fruits such as pineapples, mangos, pecan nuts, macadamia nuts, bananas, litchis and avocado pears are cultivated. 

6.THOHOYANDOU - Arts and Crafts Meander
Thohoyandou, the former capital of the independent homeland of Venda is still the commercial centre for the Venda community. Thohoyandou offers a rare experience of the Africa where cultural values are still strong and bond people together to create this delightful town. Feel the deep rhythm, the pulse of this strong people. Click here and experience their unique art at the various arts and craft centres. Follow the R524 to the Punda Maria gate of the world famous Kruger National Park. 

7.ALLDAYS
On the far western side of the Soutpansberg region is the road (R521) to Alldays, and further on to Pontdrif, the border post between South Africa and Botswana. Alldays is the center for a large area of private game and hunting farms. 

8.MAPUNGUBWE - VENETIA MINE
Along the Limpopo River, stand the ruins of the Mapungubwe people. This colony was well established in 950 AD. They lived as crop farmers and cattlemen. Ivory trading took place. The craftsmen who worked with the ivory were sophisticated and they made ivory bracelets of outstanding quality. Various gold objects were found on the site. 

9.MESSINA - MASEKWASPOORT
Welcome to the Messina Meander. 
The N1 from Masekwaspoort to Messina travels through spectacular dry bushveld with unique Mopani veld. The veld is adapted to extreme drought and can survive with little rain. Most of the land is being utilised as game farms. Conservation is high on the agenda in this area. 


10.MOPANE
Home of the Mopane tree (Colophospermum mopane) and the equally famous Mopane worm (Gonimbrasia belina), a delicacy in this area. The caterpillars have a high protein content, are dried and can be stored for months. This Meander is ideal for those who love to stay in this unspoiled piece of Africa. 

11.TSHIPISE
Various very special attractions await the visitor on this Meander. Special places such as the Nwanedi National Park, various lodges, a resort, the site of the "Big Tree" and the Meander ends at the Pafuri gate of the Kruger National Park. You must take your time in this forgotten land and learn the nature of this wondrous piece of Africa. 

12.TUNNELS
Welcome to the Tunnels Meander.
Lieutenant Wylie came to South Africa during the Ango-Boer War (1899-1902) and served as 2nd Lieutenant in the engineer's section of the British Military Forces. Two tunnels were built and opened by Dr H.F. Verwoerd in 1961 to replace the difficult and often dangerous pass. Today the visitor can travel from Louis Trichardt to Masekwaspoort through the tunnels to get a glimpse of the spectacular natural beauty of this rugged and unspoiled piece of nature. 

13.NZHELELE
This Meander will transform you and take you back into the dim past. Visit the Dzata Vha Venda ruins and experience first hand the culture and customs of the past. The Meander winds through various small friendly villages on the road to Sibasa, an important economic center close to Thohoyandou.