Albasini Dam

About Albasini Dam

The biggest body of water in the area, Albasini Dam lies east of Makhado (Louis Trichardt), just south of the Entabeni State Forest.

Named after João Albasini, a slave trader and elephant hunter the remains of whose trading post lies close to the new Phabeni Gate in the Kruger National Park, it dams the Luvuvhu River, which rises in the Soutpansberg Mountains and flows for almost 200 km before joining the Limpopo River in the Kruger and flowing on to Mozambique.

Did you know? The continuously flowing river is a vital supply of water to Limpopo and Albasini is but one dam amongst another six smaller dams.

The Albasini supplies the area's sub-tropical fruit farmers with a consistent source of water. But more than a mere water supply the Luvuvhu River, and its partner river in the area, the Levhubu River, is lined with riverine forest and semi-deciduous mixed forest making both river edges a bird watching haven alive with birds. Albasini dam is unsurprisingly a highlight on the Soutpansberg-Limpopo Birding Route.

Around the edges of the dam in particular, best done by boat, you can catch regular sightings of the white backed night heron and African finfoot as well as plenty of water birds. Head to the DWAF (Department of Water Affairs) picnic site right on the water front close to the dam wall.

There is also a large section of sour bushveld across which one can drive or walk on a network of roads where there is plenty of opportunity to sight lowveld bird life.

Fishing is good for carp and barbel (head to Beja Hengel paradys, a fishing paradise), and the dam is good for swimming, canoeing and hiking.