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Thulamela Ruins

 

Description

Revisit an ancient African kingdom at the mysterious fortress of Thulamela.

For a glimpse of an early African civilisation that was an offshoot of Great Zimbabwe, go to see the intriguing ruins of Thulamela on the southern banks of the Luvuvhu River near Pafuri in Kruger National Park.

Meaning ‘place of birth’ in the VhaVenda language, the stone citadel is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds in South Africa.

Discoveries reveal a thriving mountain kingdom that was occupied by 3 000 people who traded in gold and ivory between 1200 and 1600 AD. The prolific trading community were skilled goldsmiths although they also traded in iron that they extracted and smelted from 200 local mines.

Recent excavations have uncovered the burial place of an African king and queen with beautiful gold artefacts. The royal citadel accommodated 1 000 people and surrounding the stone walls are signs of numerous dwellings dotted around the landscape.

Guided tours of Thulamela can be arranged at the Punda Maria Gate.

Thulamela Ruins Map

In and Around

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Accommodation near Thulamela Ruins

*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling distance.

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Pafuri Camp |

Pafuri Camp

North Kruger Park Safari Lodge, North Kruger Park Tented Camp in North Kruger Park
3.80km from Thulamela Ruins

Pafuri Camp is a luxury tented camp that is situated in the northern Kruger National Park. It lies within the largest private concession of the Park and offers the guest an opportunity to experience the amazing biodiversity of the area together with the true wilderness feeling of the area.

  • R1 795 p/p sharing
    R2 480 Single
  • 40 Guests
 
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The Outpost |

The Outpost

Pafuri Gate Safari Lodge in Pafuri Gate
6.96km from Thulamela Ruins

Situated in the Makuleke Region in the northernmost part of Kruger National Park, The Outpost rests high on a hill overlooking the flood plains of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers. This region, formerly known as the Pafuri region, is in the northernmost part of Kruger National Park and is bordered to the north by the Limpopo and Zimbabwe and to the East by Crooks Corner and Zimbabwe.

  • R3 250 p/p sharing
    R4 225 Single
  • 288 Guests
 
 
Pafuri Rivercamp |

Pafuri Rivercamp

Pafuri Gate Safari Lodge in Pafuri Gate
17.78km from Thulamela Ruins

Rustic tented tree house camp, on the banks of the Mutale River tributary to Limpopo just outside the Kruger Park. Located in Venda, the main camp consists of 5 private camps, from two to eight beds per camp, each with own ablutions, kitchen, braai area and river frontage.

  • R330 p/p sharing
    R380 Single
  • 36 Guests
 
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Bateleur Bushveld Camp Kruger National Park SANParks |

Bateleur Bushveld Camp Kruger National Park SANParks

North Kruger Park Self-catering in North Kruger Park
35.60km from Thulamela Ruins

Bateleur, being the oldest and the smallest of the bushveld camps, offers a unique atmosphere and superb game viewing. One of the many features Bateleur offers is a game viewing hide that overlooks a waterhole just outside the camp.

  • R1 440 Rooms/Units
  • 28 Guests
 
 
Punda Maria Rest Camp Kruger National Park SANParks |

Punda Maria Rest Camp Kruger National Park SANParks

North Kruger Park Self-catering, North Kruger Park Camping and Caravanning in North Kruger Park
35.60km from Thulamela Ruins

The camp is situated in the Sandveld region that is often described as the botanical garden of the Kruger National Park. There are numerous plant species which occur that are unique to the area.

  • R1 500 Rooms/Units
    R160 Single
  • 374 Guests
 
 
Copacopa Lodge and Conference Centre |

Copacopa Lodge and Conference Centre

Thohoyandou Lodge, Thohoyandou Self-catering in Thohoyandou
50.59km from Thulamela Ruins

Copacopa  Lodge and Conference Centre is a facility at Lambani in Limpopo 15 kms from Punda Maria gate to Kruger National Park. It has a conference centre with a 100 seater auditorium, five meeting rooms, a four bedroomed self-catering cottage, seven ensuite chalets, a 250 seater lapa, a boma and picnic spots. Guests enjoy excellent hospitality and sumptuous meals in a relaxed quiet environment.

  • R300 p/p sharing
    R1 200 Rooms/Units
    R600 Single
  • 22 Guests
 
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Sirheni Bushveld Camp Kruger National Park SANParks |

Sirheni Bushveld Camp Kruger National Park SANParks

Punda Maria Gate Self-catering in Punda Maria Gate
58.38km from Thulamela Ruins

‘Sirheni’ is a Tsonga word that means ‘cemetery’, after a type of elephant graveyard at a site near to the camp.

  • R1 220 Rooms/Units
  • 60 Guests
 
 
Shingwedzi Rest Camp Kruger National Park SANParks |

Shingwedzi Rest Camp Kruger National Park SANParks

North Kruger Park Self-catering, North Kruger Park Camping and Caravanning in North Kruger Park
80.52km from Thulamela Ruins

Shingwedzi lies in the northern part of the Kruger National Park in the heart of Mopane country. A scenic game drive along the Shingwedzi River in a south-easterly direction towards the Kanniedood Dam is one of the most rewarding drives in the Kruger National Park.

  • R1 020 Rooms/Units
    R180 Single
  • 464 Guests
 
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Aluane Guest Suites Venda |

Aluane Guest Suites Venda

Thohoyandou Bed and Breakfast in Thohoyandou
98.50km from Thulamela Ruins

Aluane introduces sensational accommodation and convenience, with contemporary décor and quality features to make your stay a memorable holiday. We offer a world of comfort, relaxation and an extra-ordinary culinary experience. The lodge is situated on a hilltop, affording a magnificent view.

  • R525 p/p sharing
    R700 Single
  • 14 Guests
 
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2Ten Hotel |

2Ten Hotel

Thohoyandou Hotel in Thohoyandou
100.76km from Thulamela Ruins

2Ten Hotel offers exceptional accommodation in the heart of Sibasa, north-east of Louis Trichardt, just 5 km from Thohoyandou CBD and Thohoyandou Stadium in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province.

  • R625 p/p sharing
    R1 440 Rooms/Units
    R850 Single
  • 98 Guests
 
 
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