Saturday, February 23, 2008

Travel Option to Limpopo in South Africa - Modjadji, the fabled Rain Queen

by: Gerald Crawford

Named after the great Limpopo River that flows along its northern border, this province is rich in wildlife, spectacular scenery and a wealth of historical and cultural treasures.

Named after the great Limpopo River that flows along its northern border, this province is rich in wildlife, spectacular scenery and a wealth of historical and cultural treasures.

Known as the Great North, Limpopo province is home to ancient lands and pre-historic secrets. This is home to Modjadji, the fabled Rain Queen; The Stone Age and Iron age relics of Makapansgat Valley and the treasures of Mapungubwe that date back to time immemorial.

Straddling the northern Kruger Park, Limpopo province boasts wildlife safaris, nature trails  untamed Africa at its finest. This is the land of wide-open bushveld, big-sky country, the ever-present thorn tree and the mystical baobab tree.

The Limpopo province also offers up Africa's wild Edens from Highveld grassland savannahs to subtropical forests to formidable mountain ranges.

South Africa's northernmost province, Limpopo, borders onto Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana thus making it the ideal entrance to Africa. The Limpopo province celebrates a rich cultural heritage and at many archaeological sites the mysteries of the past and ancient peoples are still being unearthed. Historians reveal that the first black Africans moved across the Limpopo (into what became known as South Africa) before 300 AD. The Voortrekkers arrived in the early nineteenth century and this part of the world changed forever. Numerous battles between indigenous African people and the Voortrekkers ensued. During apartheid, portions of land were divided into homeland areas. However, today the Limpopo province is united in its aim to offer the best possible welcome for its visitors.

The Limpopo climate is renowned for its hot yet pleasant summers and dry winters. Its weather is characterized by almost year-round sunshine. It can get very hot in summer (October -March), with temperatures rising to 27 :C (80,6 :F) and, sometimes, even touching the mid-30 s Celsius (mid-90 s Fahrenheit).

Biodiversity

South of Limpopo are the Soutpansberg mountains, South Africa's northernmost mountain range and one of the most diverse habitats in the country. There are 340 indigenous tree species here, an abundance of animal life and the worlds highest concentration of leopard. Ancient, gigantic baobabs (upside-down trees) guard vast expanses of mountains, bushveld, indigenous forests and cycads.

About The Author
Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and African travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: gerald@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za

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