The Soutpansberg (salt pan mountain) is a range of mountains in the far north of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The range runs west to east for 140km and in some places is 30km wide. The nearest main towns are Makhado in the south and Musina, north of the range is close to the Zimbabwean border.
The Soutpansberg is blessed with diverse fauna and enormous clusters of indigenous forest, rainfall is high here, the rivers and streams supporting the surrounding fertile valleys. Many game farms and crop growers border the mountain slopes where typical subtropical fruit is grown in the rich soil and wild animals thrive on the plains. The Soutpansberg is an impressive range of mountains, when approached from Makhado, you are greeted by the 2.5km high silver cliff face of Hangklip (hanging lip) that appears insurmountable.
The mountains were named after a salt pan located near the town of Vivo. The pan has a brine spring that has served as a source of salt to man and animal for thousands of years. A few ancient rock art sites were discovered nearby.
Top 6 reasons to visit Soutpansberg
1. The Mapungubwe and Makapan Valleys are both heritage sites, the former an ancient gold city with fascinating archaeological finds, the latter with its historically significant cave. Both valleys have Big 5 (lion, rhino, elephant, leopard and buffalo) reserves for game drives.
2. The 20km Hangklip hiking trail is a 3-day trail through indigenous forest and stays in well-appointed overnight huts with comfortable beds and wood for fires.
3. The University of Venda campus in Thohoyandou (head of the elephant) has an interesting art gallery displaying carvings, paintings and pots created by students and local artists. The artwork has much cultural significance.
4. The regal baobab is a fascinating tree, it supports a micro ecosystem with all manner of bird, insect and mammal living off parts of the tree. Known as the ‘upside down tree’, there is a 3000 year old specimen to be found on the road passing Sagole Spa.
5. In an area where a 10-year old rain queen will soon rule the Bolobedu people and folklore determines much of the tribal way of life, it would be remiss not to experience the local cultures and traditions. Take a formal tour of the cultural villages in the Vhembe region to find out more.
6. The Meropa Casino and Entertainment World in Polokwane is fun for the entire family. The hotel complex has a casino, health spa, a cultural village, mini golf, go-karts and WildThingz, an animal rehabilitation and education centre.
Transport
Polokwane International Airport is the nearest international airport in the Soutpansberg area. The airport has car rental agencies, as does Polokwane city and Musina. Tour operators in the main towns offer shuttle services, enquire with your host.
Did you know?
Very few towns in southern Africa are located on the Tropic of Capricorn, here in the Soutpansberg you are on the line but how will you know? Stand outside at 12 noon and if you can’t see your shadow, the sun will be directly overhead. This only occurs in two places bordering the tropics, Capricorn in the south and Cancer in the northern hemisphere.
Lake Fundudzi is an ancient lake that features highly in the religion of a number of local Venda clans. They believe the lake is protected by a giant python God who determines the state of their annual crop. When angered, the creature is pacified through the pouring of sacrificial beer into the lake. Permission is required by the local chief to visit, and only certain sections of the lake, as most areas are regarded too sacred.
