The Soutpansberg Region, Limpopo
Lying in the northern part of the Limpopo province, bordering on both Botswana and Zimbabwe, the Soutpansberg Vhembe Region is nothing short of spectacular - the baobab, a familiar symbol that stands resolute among the magnificence of vast expanses of indigenous bush in a land characterised by the myth and legend of the vhaVenda people and awash with the vivid colour of blue skies, a prolific wildlife and seemingly endless opportunities for exploration.
Did you know? The Soutpansberg mountain range stretches 130 kilometres from the little town of Vivo in theWest to the Kruger National Park in the East. It forms part of the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve and is home to mystery, beauty and a number of nature reserves.
In the west of the Vhembe Region lie the craggy peaks that form the jagged spine of the Soutpansberg or ‘salt pan mountain', which attributes its name to the giant salt pan on the west side of this range that has been a source of salt for centuries. Cross the mountain range and one falls into the all-encompassing plains of the Limpopo Valley, which stretches across the north of the country, characterised by further glimpses of the giant baobab and recurrent mopane trees.
Through this natural basin flows the Limpopo River, the country's third most important river and a life source for the essentially hot, dry land through which it winds, giving life to more than 500 tree species, a series of farming villages and one of the world's highest concentrations of leopard. Another important river to the region is the Nzhelele, which flows from its source on the eastern slopes of the Soutpansberg to slice its way into the Limpopo just east of Musina.
Did you know? Once you've booked your hotels, game lodges or Soutpansberg accommodation, explore the destination pages below for info on attractions, activities and things to do when you visit the glorious Soutpansberg of Limpopo.
To the east lie the Lowveld and Kruger National Park, most of which falls into the Limpopo whilst to the south is the ‘land of legend', a region that lays claim to a sacred lake, holy forest where ancient ways are still revered by traditional vhaVenda culture.
The Mapungubwe and the Makapane Valley are both national heritage sites, and a feast of lion, leopard, white and black rhino, elephant, cheetah and spotted hyena - most of the continent's big game - roam here. It is rich in cultural heritage and boasts an incredible diversity of plant and animal life, but what draws visitors time and time again are the incredible unspoilt wilderness areas that seamlessly contrast with sophisticated resorts to provide warm hospitality in a destination without equal.
Find accommodation in Soutpansberg
South Africa Accommodation / Limpopo Accommodation / Vhembe Accommodation / Soutpansberg Accommodation
Lira Boutique Lodge
Lira Boutique Lodge is situated on the banks of the Nandoni Dam in Limpopo. The accommodation offers incredible views and dedicated staff. The Lo...
Mapesu Wilderness Tented Camp
Discreetly tucked away on a hillside with stunning mopane bushveld views is the Mapesu Wilderness Tented Camp. So, if you want to be spoiled whil...
Mopane Bush Lodge
Mopane Bush Lodge is a small bush retreat, graded a 4-Star luxury lodge, of African Renaissance design. Nestling in the Mopane bushveld, it is at...
Schimper View Boutique Guest House
Schimper View Boutique Guest House offers luxury accommodation in Louis Trichardt. Located in the upmarket area of Louis Trichardt, this property...
Tshivase Nature Reserve
Set in a pristine environment, Tshivhase Nature Reserve boasts unparalleled views of the Thathe Vondo Dam. The luxury lodge provides accommodatio...
The Hill Hotel
The Hill Hotel is located just 2km away from Thohoyandou Town Centre in Limpopo Province, providing the perfect base from which the beautiful lan...
Cuckoo's Nest Guest House
The Cuckoo's Nest Guest House is named after the beautiful cuckoo birds that regularly visit the area. Located approximately 5km from the centre ...
Mogalakwena River Lodge
Mogalakwena (metaphor which means 'fierce crocodile') comprises the River Lodge, Craft Art Village, Artist's Retreat and Research Centre. The Riv...
The Anza Lifestyle Lodge
Welcome to Anza Lodge, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Makhado, Louis Trichardt, where culture, nature, and luxury converge to provide a uni...
Destinations in the Soutpansberg Region
Alldays
Overnight? Alldays accommodation
The distinctly rural town of Alldays, about 120 kilometres from Musina, lies within view of the effortless Soutpansberg Mountains, providing a constant purple hue in the land of huge baobabs, incredible sunsets, soaring temperatures and a huge variety of ...
Elim
Overnight? Elim accommodation
Elim in the Limpopo, although not to be confused with Elim in the Cape Agulhas region of the Western Cape, is nonetheless also a mission station, which explains why there is often some uncertainty when the name of the little town arises.
The tiny vill...
Louis Trichardt
Overnight? Louis Trichardt accommodation
Better known as Louis Trichardt, Makhado offers accommodation near Kruger National Park, which remains one of the main tourist attractions in South Africa. Lying at the foot of the densely forested Soutpansberg mountain range, Louis Trichardt and the surr...
Makhado
Overnight? Makhado accommodation
Louis Trichardt (briefly known as Makhado): Lying at the foot of the densely forested Soutpansberg mountain range, Louis Trichardt and the surrounding area is the land of litchis, bananas, mangoes, nuts, tea and coffee - a rugged hot terrain famous for th...
Mapungubwe
Overnight? Mapungubwe accommodation
Mapungubwe National Park: The discovery of a lost civilisation: Set right up against the northern border of South Africa, uniting Botswana and Zimbabwe, lies Mapungubwe - an extensive savannah landscape situated at the meeting place of the Limpopo and Sha...
Musina
Overnight? Musina accommodation
In the land of the baobab lies a town in the northernmost section of the country, called Musina. Just 15 kilometres north of the little town that used to be known as Messina is the Beitbridge Border Post that serves the boundary with Zimbabwe. This link w...
Schoemansdal
The little town of Schoemansdal, 12 kilometres west of Makhado off the R522 en route to Vivo, began as one of the most important trading centres in the then Northern Transvaal in the time of largely renegade and shady dealings in ivory, horns, skins, salt...
Soutpansberg Conservancy
Overnight? Soutpansberg Conservancy accommodation
The Soutpansberg Conservancy, consisting of 90 000 hectares, was formed to protect an incredibly sensitive and beautiful part of the world. Drive across the arid, flat vastness of the northern Limpopo Province, and the sandstone of the Soutpansberg interm...
Thohoyandou
Overnight? Thohoyandou accommodation
The former capital of the independent homeland, Thohoyandou, meaning ‘head of the elephant' in tshiVenda, lies south of Venda on the main road between Louis Trichardt and the Kruger National Park.
Today the predominantly black community serves as the ...
Vivo
Overnight? Vivo accommodation
The Soutpansberg Mountains rise seemingly out of nowhere virtually on the doorstep of the little village of Vivo. From there they stretch east in a series of dips and troughs, petering out as one reaches the Kruger National Park, on the border between Lim...