Tom Burke

Tom Burke, Waterberg

Tom Burke, a wee town in the middle of Bushveld country, lies just north of Rietfontein Village at the intersection of the N11 with the R572. This far north, Tom Burke lies virtually on the border with Botswana, and aside from a police station and perhaps a little corner shop, there are not many signs of life.

Essentially this part of the Limpopo is divided up into game farms and safari lodges, and you come here to escape from it all, to experience the bush, and to see game. Tom Burke and its accompanying grasslands lie north west of Polokwane in the land of tented safaris and bush style camps.

The little town does, however, manage to fall into the Limpopo route, which follows the Limpopo River from Alldays via Maasstroom, Swartwater, Tom Burke, Beauty, Stockpoort and Buffelsdrift. The pretty area is dominated by baobab trees, agriculture, birding and lodges, and well worth the drive.

The main attraction for coming this far north is obvious - unspoilt African bushveld and a beauty that is breathtaking, the views are so incredible.

There is also the glorious stillness and quiet that comes with real, open bushveld that is so difficult to describe, but once experienced is reason to return. Visits to this part of South Africa never fail to haunt, and give one a taste for open space and grasslands, unbeatable sunsets and the sounds of the African bush. This is Africa at its best.