Thohoyandou

Thohoyandou is the administrative capital of the Vhembe District in the Limpopo province and previously served as the capital of the former Venda bantustan. The town was purposefully established in the late 1970s and named after King Thohoyandou, whose name means 'head of the elephant' in the Venda language. The region is the cultural heartland of the Venda people, characterized by lush subtropical vegetation and highly fertile soils. The local economy revolves around the intensive cultivation of bananas, mangoes, avocados, and macadamia nuts. Thohoyandou is also home to the University of Venda, a significant academic institution in the region. Geographically, the town is located near the Soutpansberg mountain range and serves as a major gateway to the Punda Maria gate of the Kruger National Park. The city remains a lively center for traditional Venda art, woodcarving, and music, reflecting its deep historical and cultural roots.

Nearby cities

Polokwane

The capital of the Limpopo province is the largest urban center in northern South Africa.

Phalaborwa

Known as 'The town of two summers', it is situated right at the central gate of the Kruger National Park.

Mokopane

Formerly called Potgietersrus, the town is surrounded by one of the richest agricultural areas in the country.

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Sabie

Sabie is a picturesque forestry town on the banks of the Sabie River, surrounded by spectacular waterfalls and dense pine forests.

Tzaneen

The second largest town in Limpopo is situated in a lush, green, fertile region producing tropical fruits.

Hazyview

A key hub for adventurers, the gateway to Kruger National Park and the scenic Panorama Route.

Graskop

Graskop is a charming small town on the Panorama Route, famous for spectacular viewpoints like God's Window and the Graskop Gorge Lift.

Hoedspruit

Hoedspruit is a major safari hub located between Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon, renowned for its wildlife conservation …

History & landmarks

Skukuza

Skukuza is the bustling administrative capital and largest rest camp of the Kruger National Park, situated on the banks of the Sabie River.

More places

Thulamela Ruins

The Thulamela ruins are a stone-walled archaeological site associated with the Late Iron Age and the Zimbabwean culture.

Venetia Diamond Mine

The largest producer of diamonds in South Africa, currently transitioning from open-pit to underground mining.

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Foskor Phosphate Plant

A major producer of phosphate rock and phosphoric acid, essential for agricultural fertilizers.

Palabora Copper Mine

South Africa's main producer of refined copper, originally famous for having the widest man-made hole in Africa.

Mapungubwe

Mapungubwe was a pre-colonial urban settlement and African kingdom that flourished south of the Limpopo River.

Kruger National Park

One of Africa's largest game reserves, famous for the 'Big Five'.

Makapansgat

Makapansgat is a significant paleontological valley with an extremely long record of human occupation spanning millions of years.

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Modikwa Platinum Mine

An independently managed platinum mine on the eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex.