Things to Do in Bandelierkop

Mashovhela, also traditionally known as “the place where the drums can be heard”, is the second most sacred place in Venda folklore. This sacred site is still used occasionally by sangomas in rain-making ceremonies. A few years ago the sangomas beat their drums - shortly after which Venda had the heaviest rains and most devastating floods in living memory.!According to Venda lore, the legendary and powerful King Thohoiyanda had a mystical drum, Ngoma Lungundo ('drum of the dead'). As his enemies approached this drum was beaten and his foes just dropped dead.One night, King Thohoiyanda and the sacred drum mysteriously disappeared from his royal kraal. Neither were ever seen again. It is believed he disappeared into the Western Soutpansberg, where Mashovhela Lodge is situated.Tradition has it that it is this sacred drum that can sometimes be heard in the echoes from the rock cliffs of Mashovhela Pool.Come and listen for the drum beating at Mashovhela.

Drink a pint inside the widest tree in the world! The legendary Sunland Baobab in Modjadjiskloof is internationally celebrated for being the widest of its species in the world. These magnificent trees evoke impressions of quintessential Africa, and if they could speak - many a fascinating tale could be told.Locals believe this baobab could be as old as 6000 years. Feasibly, it is most likely 1000 years old. Carbon dating from samples taken inside the hollows of the tree indicates that the tree was scorched by fires in 1650, 1750-1780, 1900, 1955 and 1990.Old baobabs eventually become hollow inside, and the Sunland Baobab has wonderful caverns within its incredibly wide girth. In 1993, the owners of Sunland Farm cleaned out the hollows and found artefacts of Bushmen and first white settlers.The spacious caverns were then turned into a pub and wine cellar - the famous Baobab Tree Bar and Wine Cellar! The ‘Baobar’ can accommodate up to 60 people. This unusual landmark has since become a popular tourist destination in the Limpopo Province. In spring, the Sunland Baobab produces beautiful, large flowers and attracts a variety of birds - including two pairs of owls.

Serenely situated on the scenic Hans Merensky Dam, Tzaneen Country Club is an undiscovered challenge for the serious golfer. The course is alleged to be one of the fairest tests of golf around and should have the high and low handicapper alike urging to book the next round. Rolling fairways and punishing but fair roughs merge to present a ‘shot makers’ ideal challenge. A well stocked bar with a cosy fireplace creates a friendly setting for socialising after many rounds. Tzaneen Country Club hosts some of the major tournaments on the PGA Winter Tour. Local and visiting golfers gather here every May for a weekend of golfing and good times at the annual Koraalboom Tournament.

Can you hear the drum beat; can you feel the earth spin? Venture off the beaten track 50km north-east of Louis Trichardt on the R523 between Thohoyandou and Makhado and you’ll find the Museum of the Drum and Dzata ruins. The rural peacefulness of the place makes it hard to believe that this was once a thriving community. This significant archaeological site is the remains of the royal kraal of the Venda kings and dates back six thousand years to 1400. Here you can learn about the rich art culture of the Venda and their famous domba dance at the Museum of the Drum. The building houses a replica of the enormous holy drum, reputed to have magical powers that incapacitate enemies. Entrance to the Museum of the Drum and Dzata ruins is free.

Visit South Africa's own natural  Jurassic Park, the Modjadji Cycad Forest, which has the largest concentration of a single cycad species in the world. This stunning 530 hectare reserve is home to some of the oldest and largest cycads in the world - some up to 13 metres high and bearing cones weighing in to up to 34 kilograms.Mysteriously situated near the home of the fabled Modjadji Rain Queen in the misty Lobedu Mountains, it's an awesome place to go walking or to chill out with a picnic basket. Between December and February these living fossil plants are in seed. When the mist lifts there are sweeping views over the cycad forest to the Lowveld and the Kruger National Park. Well constructed walks meander from the cycad forest to the acacia and grass lands below. Here you can spot large game such as blue wildebeest, waterbuck, nyala, impala and bushbuck. There's a good chance of seeing monkeys, dassies and bushpigs too. The birding is fantastic with over 170 species recorded.

Situated in the Magoebaskloof between Haenertsburg and Tzaneen, the picturesque George's Valley is renowned for its beauty and friendly inhabitants. It’s a perfect stop over en-route to the Kruger National Park or for family holidays and weekend getaways. Known as the adventure hub of the Limpopo, George's Valley Gorge is a magnet for adrenaline junkies with a variety of thrills ranging from mild to wild. Try the magnificent Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour and experience the exhilaration of sliding through the forest on a two-hour Tarzan and Jane adventure! Magoebaskloof Adventures also offer awesome kloofing, abseiling, quad biking, fly-fishing, tubing, horse riding, a 4x4 course and mountain biking.

Situated near the dense forests of the Magoebaskloof, the roaring Debengeni Falls is a magical spot for picnicking or swimming in the crystal pool. Named for the deeply carved pool, Debengi means ‘place of the big pot'. Right in the middle of hiking country, it’s also renowned for some rare species of birds. One of these is the colourful Grey Wagtail, a regular summer visitor to this pool. An endemic bird that will get twitchers excited is the Bush Strike – only found here and in the Woodbush Forest nearby. Other beautiful birds to tick off are the Chorister Robin and green Narina Trogon.

Enjoy delicious cocktails and sun-downers when taking some time out in the bushveld of the Tzaneen area. The themed Le Toues le Treq bar with its Rosa le Rouge painting is situated at Tzaneen Country Lodge.

Grab the whole family and soak up the countrified charms of this quaint little dairy farm. Winners of the Eat In 'Best Organic Producer' 2008 award for their organic produce, Wegraakbosch Organic Cheese Dairy is well worth a visit. Take a tour, taste and watch cheese being made in the traditional way – it’s so good! Cows are milked by hand and curds are stirred in a big copper cauldron over a fire. Kids will love checking out the chickens, ducks and geese while the older folk are stocking up on organic cheese and dairy products. You’ll find a tempting array of yoghurt, feta, ricotta, cottage and other hard and soft cheeses. Tours are an hour long and cost R50 for adults. Afterwards take a stroll around the farm and find a good picnic spot.

Tramp through the Sacred Forest of Magoebaskloof Easily one of the most stunning trails in the Limpopo, this four-day hiking trail will take you through the mountainous eastern fringe of the Soutpansberg. The trail winds past a number of revered sites and the burial grounds of Venda chiefs. A mystical atmosphere permeates the lush indigenous forest. Keen birders should keep a look out for glimpses of rare narina trogons and Knysna loeries. A highlight is the spectacular views of the sacred Lake Fundudzi, a place so protected that special permission has to be obtained from the VhaVenda people to visit it. Overnight camps are fairly basic but provide shelter and toilets. Contact the Louis Trichardt Tourism Office for details +27 (0)15 516 0040.

Cuddle a baby crocodile and count all 68 teeth If you’re feeling brave you could even feed the big toothy predators. Situated on a scenic avocado farm outside Tzaneen, Agatha Crocodile Ranch is a definitely worth a visit. On offer are adventurous daily tours, an opportunity to touch a baby crocodile and also to feed the enormous adults. Tours include a fascinating talk about the behaviour, conservation and breeding of the Nile crocodile, followed by a feeding show and guided tour of the breeding dam and enclosures. Who’s your daddy? Of all the 220 Nile crocodiles on the ranch, Rufus is the biggest at 4.2 meters long and is probably 49 years old. Daily tours and feeding shows are between 09:00 – 16:00, Monday to Sunday. Tours last one and a half hours and promise lots of thrills. Agatha Crocodile Ranch also features a local art gallery and curio shop. +27 (0)15 307 4398

One of South Africa’s largest natural lakes, Lake Fundudzi is situated near the northern part of the Soutpansberg. Visitors need special permission from Venda leaders to go there which makes its allure even more powerful. The lake and its surrounding lush forests, waterfalls and mountains is imbued with a mystical and spiritual atmosphere. The area contains the burial grounds of Venda chiefs and the lake is believed to be the home of the great python fertility god who decides on the success of the Venda crops. There is a wonderful viewpoint that overlooks Lake Fundudzi and the Sacred Forest. The best option is to take a tour with the locals or hike the Mabudashango Hiking Trail. The four-day trail takes hikers through dense forest, awesome mountain scenery, gorgeous waterfalls, streams and pools with rich birdlife. Swimming in the lake is out of the question because of numerous large crocodiles!

Conveniently situated across the road from the Hugh Exton Photographic Museum and Civic Centre, Polokwane Museum is an excellent spot to while away a few hours. Occupying a lovely late Victorian shop built in 1906; the building was beautifully restored in 1986 and is now a National Monument. Here you can discover the secrets of this city and surrounding region as well as Stone Age and Iron Age artefacts. A highlight of the museum is a display depicting the colourful traditional cultures of Limpopo people. Complete your trip back in time and stroll across the street to the Hugh Exton Photographic Museum for an insight into the gold rush days of Polokwane's beginnings.

Take a trip back in time and catch glimpses of yesteryear at the Hugh Exton Photographic Museum. Boasting a 23 000-strong cultural and historical photo collection taken between 1892 and 1945, the museum is well worth a visit. Valuable original glass negatives capture the fascinating first few years of the town’s history on celluloid taken by photographer, Hugh Exton. The collection unlocks the mysteries of Polokwane’s bygone era with of images of architecture, industry, clothing, trade and famous town residents. The museum is housed in the beautiful 1890s Dutch Reformed church. Bookings are essential. +27 (0)15 290 2186

Get airborne on an adrenalin pumping trip above three waterfalls and the Great Letaba River Gorge! Zip into the magnificent Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour and slide through the forest on a two-hour arboreal adventure. The impressive foefie slide cables are linked to 13 platforms above the river, waterfalls and indigenous forest floor. See the beauty of this spectacular area from a vantage point high above the river. Qualified guides ensure safety and chat knowledgeably about the birds, animals and plants. Families, nature lovers and thrill seekers shouldn’t miss this incredible zip slide experience. +27 (0) 83 866 1546 www.magoebaskloofcanopytour.co.za

The Peter Mokaba Stadium in the Limpopo Province is another excellent spin-off from South Africa’s successful 2010 FIFA World Cup bid, hosting four first-round matches. The newly-built structure comfortably seats 46 000 people and is equipped with stylish international standard facilities. Polokwani (Pietersburg) is the largest city in the Limpopo Province, an area of untamed wilderness possessing the quintessential spirit of Africa. The Big Five, Kruger National Park, the magical Modjadji Forest and countless exciting outdoor activities attract people from all over the globe.

Meet, touch and feed the friendly animals at Mangela Animal Touch Farm Jacob the donkey and the miniature ponies Maya, Misty, Pepe and Inca are waiting for small visitors with crunchy apples and carrots. Mangela Animal Touch Farm also has ostriches, emus, pot-bellied pigs, goats, ducks, chickens, rabbits and more!Pony rides are available with supervision by friendly and helpful staff. The crew at Mangela pride themselves on their management of the animals and the environment. There is no better way for children to safely learn about them. Mangela also specialise in children's parties with different themes, birthday cakes and kiddies gift boxes available together with a jumping castle, jungle gym, self-drive toy cars and other fun activities. Mangela Animal Touch Farm, Tea Garden & Curio Shop offers activities and fun for kids and adults alike.Need to know? Mondays to Fridays 9:00am to 5:30pm Saturdays & Sundays 9:00am to 5:30pm.

Tzaneen Convention Centre combines outstanding conference facilities with state of the art equipment and luxury accommodation.The venue caters for the special needs of business, incentive groups and corporate meetings. The management and staff are specialists in this field and will consult and assist in the planning of conferences and packages. Five different venues can accommodate up to 500 people, making Tzaneen Country Lodge and Tzaneen Convention Centre an axcellent choice to conference. Whether you’re holding a sales convention, board meeting or informal get-together with associates, your comfort and success are paramount. We pride ourselves in our professionalism, quality of service and enthusiasm and arrange every detail including accommodation, decor and dining. Tzaneen Convention Centre guarantees our clients exclusivity and a high level of personal service.Tzaneen Convention Centre hosts many functions, events and themed parties filled with excitement, fun and satisfaction. We offer a personalised and professional service for all events and flexible packages to suit both your budget and personal style.All our staff, most of whom have been with us from the inception of the Tzaneen Country Lodge and the new Tzaneen Convention Centre are warm and friendly and will do everything possible to ensure that your function runs smoothly – giving you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the surroundings. With your dedicated events co-ordinator you can be assured of the best service possible.Since each and every function is tailor-made to your requirements - arrangements for special dietary requirements, specialized liquor requests, children’s entertainment and supervision – are our pleasure.Live entertainment, DJ’s, flower arrangements and a chocolate fountain are, to name but a few, some of the services catered for by Tzaneen Convention Centre. With exquisite food, funky décor, fabulous service and lovely lodgings – this is the place to be.

The stylish Bakone Malapa Museum is a wonderful place to experience the rich culture of the BaSotho people. The Bakone, a highly sophisticated subgroup of the Northern Sotho tribe, will give you a warm welcome and enthusiastically share their contemporary and traditional customs. The guides are superb story tellers and the village becomes alive as they take you on a journey through their traditional way of life. Considered a living museum, the Bakone tribesmen practise long-standing traditions to explain the traditions of Africa’s people. Another reconstructed village like it is the open-air Tsonga Museum near Tzaneen. Bakone Malapa is built in the style used by the northern Sotho 250 years ago and demonstrates the daily life of the Bakone clan. Two homesteads exhibit and explain fire making, maize grinding and beer brewing in the traditional manner. Handcraft demonstrations include pottery, basketry and bead work. Most of these locally-made creations are sold from the onsite craft shop. And that’s not all – the museum and cultural village has a bird sanctuary, wildlife reserve, hiking trails and outdoor recreation areas.

Not only does Polokwane Nature Reserve have a healthy rhino population, it also features a number of fabulous walks and hikes. With over 21 species of mammals, this small reserve outside Polokwane is well worth a stop. Enthusiastic birders come here to check out the isolated eastern population of the Short-clawed Lark. The reserve is known as an excellent place for bushveld, thornveld and grassveld birding with over 300 bird species recorded. Keep your eyes and ears open for the Tinkling Cisticola, Northern Black Korhaan, Shelley´s Francolin, Double-banded Courser, Burchell´s Sandgrouse, Bushveld Pipit, Great Sparrow, African Wren-Warbler and Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler – all found here. You have a good chance of spotting breeding raptors including the African Hawk-Eagle, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Secretary Bird, Wahlberg´s Eagle, Greater Kestrel and Gabar Goshawk. The reserve offers a neat camping and caravan site as well as chalet accommodation. Opening hours are 07:00 – 16:30 +27 (0)15 290 2331