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Polokwane / Pietersburg
The Voortrekkers under the leadership of Andries Potgieter founded the
town (Pietersburg) on the farm Sterkloop in 1884 providing 150 erven
covering 2 200 morgen. Pietersburg has enjoyed a long history of
prosperity and has grown rapidly given its proximity to Gauteng and the
rich agricultural district surrounding it.
The town of Pietersburg / Polokwane earned city status on 23 April 1992
and is now the major centre and capital city of the province, indeed for
the country's entire area north of Gauteng.
The city of Pietersburg / Polowane holds an enviable position. Its
proximity as a major centre near the neighbouring countries of Botswana,
Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland make it a strategically located,
fully equipped destination, and it is within convenient distance from
the
Kruger National Park and
Magoesbaskloof.
Pietersburg / Polokwane boasts excellent
accommodation,
fine weather and a busy, friendly population, making it the ideal
business or getaway destination in the geographic and economic heart of
the Limpopo Province.
Activities
Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum
This museum depicts the traditional and modern-day culture and lifestyle
of the Bakone people.
Bush Craft
Curious and handmade goods made by local craftspeople can be purchased
at this pleasant trading store.
Cheune Crocodile Farm
Croc feeds and frequent talks provide a fascinating counterpoint to the
sight of these impressive beasts.
Concentration Camp Cemetery
An idyllic cemetery housing the graves of the victims of nearby
Anglo-Boer War concentration camp.
Eersteling Monuments
The site of the country's first gold crushing site and its first gold
power plant are marked by monuments.
Farmyard
A wide assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables, confectionery and other
delights.
Gazebo
A charming gazebo built in 1924 in the Civic Square.
Hugh Exton Photographic Museum
Photographer Hugh Exton took 23 000 glass negatives capturing the first
5 years of the town on celluloid.
Hunting
Polokwane is considered the premier hunting destination in South Africa.
Makapansgat Caves & Limestone Works
A look at ancient human habitation in the area.
Melted Guns
All guns confiscated at the end of the Magoeba War in 1893 were melted
into a mass of metal. Upon the building of a golf course in 1975, this
was found and is now considered a gun memorial.
Pietersburg / Polokwane,
capital of Limpopo, is the largest metropolitan complex in the north
and a major economic centre. Its proximity to the neighbouring countries
of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland, as well as its
convenient distance from the Kruger National Park and Magoebaskloof,
makes it a perfect gateway and good destination in itself.
Polokwane, the vibrant capital of the province, is one of the fastest
growing cities in the southern hemisphere. Founded in the gold rush days
of the 1880s, it has witnessed Stone Age nomads, Iron Age settlements,
European migrations, wars and political upheaval. For the tourist in
today’s peaceful times, it promises an abundance of fascinating
historical sites and attractions.
The historical and cultural attractions of the region are equally
varied. They embrace San rock art, a host of legendary characters who
made history in the region, the Voortrekkers who arrived here to escape
an oppressive regime in the Cape and their conflict with the locals who
considered this magical region their home and weren’t always eager to
share it. Visitors will gain insight into the tapestry of human drama
that unfolded on this land through archaeological evidence unearthed and
preserved, the legacy left by the San in their rock art and relics
preserved in the many museums and memorials of the region
The region is home to fascinating and diverse people. It is the centre
for local African culture in which the coming together of carefully
preserved social traditions and indigenous identity has taken place. One
of the most notable archaeological and historical sites in the country
is found at Makapan’s Valley in the region. Here the sediments, fossils,
bones and artefacts found in the caves have revealed a unique record of
hominid habitation and evolution dating back 3,3 million years. The
valley which has stood at the frontier of palaeontological and
archaeological research for much of the twentieth century has been
declared a National Heritage Site.
The African Ivory Route which has its origins in the legendary exploits
of early ivory hunters and gold traders runs through the Capricorn
region. Today the route is an important ecotourism and 4X4 adventure
destination much sought after by safari enthusiasts. Traversing rugged
mountainous terrain and stunning wilderness areas, the route will appeal
particularly to the person drawn to the African wild. Today good roads
traverse the scenic Capricorn region where once wagons and stage coaches
negotiated precipitous declines, and these, together with an excellent
tourism infrastructure that includes fine accommodation establishments,
encourage tourists to explore and linger in the area.
Out of the vast expanses of Bushveld wilderness, roamed by an abundance
of wildlife species, rise titanic mountain ranges trimmed with
indigenous forests, tranquil streams and spectacular waterfalls. Much of
the Limpopo Province, particularly the Kruger National Park and other
game and nature reserves, is unspoilt, providing sanctuary to large
varieties of African flora and fauna.
The Limpopo Parks, provide sanctuary and habitat for a variety of
African mammals, special plant species as well as water catchments and
wetlands of international status, it is these landscapes and the
Province's untamed wilderness that provide a nature enthusiast with a
variety of nature based tourism activities which include:
Middestad Centre
With a host of shops, chain stores and fast foods outlets this is a
shopper's shangri-la.
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