Animal Parks
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Polokwane (Pietersburg) Luminous butterflies, crooning songbirds, preening parrots and parading peacocks greet you as you enter Wild Thingz.
The jungle-like park at Meropa Casino and Entertainment World is home to numerous species including birds of prey, cranes, and parrots.
Eagles cast imperious stares and wide-eyed owls peer down as you venture into their domain. You could spend hours here watching the spectacle.
Creepy crawly aficionados and kids will love the reptile house where you can see anacondas, pythons, mambas and other deadly critters.
Wild Thingz is open Tuesday to Sunday and offers bird shows at 10:00, 11:00 and 15:00 daily and a snake demonstration at 16:00. Entrance is R10 for adults, R5 for children.
+27 (0)15 290 5400
Galleries and Museums
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Polokwane (Pietersburg) 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.
Nature Reserves
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Polokwane (Pietersburg) 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
Popular Attractions
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Mokopane (Potgietersrus) Rich in biodiversity, the scenically stunning Makapansgat Valley and Caves play a significant role in the Cradle of Humankind.
The numerous cave system draw palaeontologists from around the globe to view fossils that date back over three million years, revealing the stories of this once tropical paradise.
Our early ancestor, the ‘ape-man’ Austalopithecus africanus, is one of the fascinating finds.
See the oldest site at Makapansgat Limeworks. The Cave of Hearths has evidence of human occupation from the Early Stone Age and the Hyena Cave has remains of early hyenas.
Today vervet monkeys, baboons and bush babies clamber in the treetops, searching for the same edible fruits and plants that early man gathered.
Contact the Arend Dieperink Museum in Mokopane for guided tours of the Makapansgat Caves starting at the museum. +27 015 491 9735
Things to do near
Capricorn
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Galleries and Museums
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Polokwane (Pietersburg) (0.9 km from Capricorn) 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.
Galleries and Museums
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Polokwane (Pietersburg) (1 km from Capricorn) 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
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Polokwane (Pietersburg) (2.8 km from Capricorn) 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.
Galleries and Museums
in
Polokwane (Pietersburg) (7.2 km from Capricorn) 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.
Animal Parks
in
Polokwane (Pietersburg) (8.3 km from Capricorn) Luminous butterflies, crooning songbirds, preening parrots and parading peacocks greet you as you enter Wild Thingz.
The jungle-like park at Meropa Casino and Entertainment World is home to numerous species including birds of prey, cranes, and parrots.
Eagles cast imperious stares and wide-eyed owls peer down as you venture into their domain. You could spend hours here watching the spectacle.
Creepy crawly aficionados and kids will love the reptile house where you can see anacondas, pythons, mambas and other deadly critters.
Wild Thingz is open Tuesday to Sunday and offers bird shows at 10:00, 11:00 and 15:00 daily and a snake demonstration at 16:00. Entrance is R10 for adults, R5 for children.
+27 (0)15 290 5400
Nature Reserves
in
Polokwane (Pietersburg) (8.4 km from Capricorn) 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
Popular Attractions
in
Mokopane (Potgietersrus) (41.9 km from Capricorn) Rich in biodiversity, the scenically stunning Makapansgat Valley and Caves play a significant role in the Cradle of Humankind.
The numerous cave system draw palaeontologists from around the globe to view fossils that date back over three million years, revealing the stories of this once tropical paradise.
Our early ancestor, the ‘ape-man’ Austalopithecus africanus, is one of the fascinating finds.
See the oldest site at Makapansgat Limeworks. The Cave of Hearths has evidence of human occupation from the Early Stone Age and the Hyena Cave has remains of early hyenas.
Today vervet monkeys, baboons and bush babies clamber in the treetops, searching for the same edible fruits and plants that early man gathered.
Contact the Arend Dieperink Museum in Mokopane for guided tours of the Makapansgat Caves starting at the museum. +27 015 491 9735
Popular Attractions
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Haenertsburg (51.9 km from Capricorn) 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.
Hiking Trail
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Haenertsburg (54.2 km from Capricorn) Starting from the village of Haenertsburg, the circular Louis Changuion Trail meanders through picturesque grasslands and indigenous forest. The views are sublime, the fields are strewn with pretty wildflowers and there’s a stream to wade in.
Conveniently situated picnic spots enable visitors to spend time taking in the beauty of the afro-montane grassland on this outlying section of the Drakensberg. Look out for the Wolkberg Zulu Butterfly, Methuen’s Dwarf Gecko and the blue swallow between September and April.
Purchase a map from the Atholl Arms, Haenertsburg Tourist Bureau or Magoebaskloof Hotel.
Duration: 4 – 5 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: 11 km
Popular Attractions
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Haenertsburg (55.4 km from Capricorn) Set on a pristine property, Cheerio offers enthusiatic fly fishermen 3 dams to cast their flies in.
This is stricly fly fishing only, which means no bait or spinners allowed. The resort offers beginner rods for rental, as well as a stock of flies for purchase.
Popular Attractions
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Haenertsburg (55.5 km from Capricorn) 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.
Popular Attractions
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Haenertsburg (55.5 km from Capricorn) This ruin of the old Cyril Jackson Observatory was built by the world famous astronomer of the same name. It was built on his farm called Hilltop and finished in 1955. It had a retractable roof. The Haebertsburg skies are still very good for stargazers today.
Galleries and Museums
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Mokopane (Potgietersrus) (58.5 km from Capricorn) Definitely worth a stop, the Arend Dieperink Museum houses a valuable cultural and historical collection of Sotho and Voortrekker artefacts.
Inhabiting an elegant old stone school building, the museum tells the story of the region from early humankind at Makapan’s Cave, the Anglo Boer War and recent times.
Vintage farm implements, tractors and wagons are showcased outdoors. Inside are a few of the incredible archaeological finds discovered at Makapan’s Cave including the three-million-year-old human predecessor, Australothipicus africanus.
Do try the mampoer, a locally brewed ‘moonshine’ along with freshly baked bread – available on request.
Tours to Makapan’s Cave depart from the museum by prior arrangement +27 (0)15 491 9735.
Hiking Trail
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Magoebaskloof (59.8 km from Capricorn) The Magoebaskloof Hiking Trail offers hikers the choice of several hike duration options that range from two to five days. The three-day 50 km circular trail winds through extensive indigenous forest and pine plantations, and past waterfalls, pristine mountain streams and pools.
Expect your jaw to drop at the magnificent scenery. Look out for bushbuck, bush pigs, Samango monkeys, and amazing birdlife, particularly in the Grootbosch Forest. The five-day option needs a high level of fitness to complete the trail. Family hikers should consider the less demanding two-day route.
Duration: 2 – 5 days
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Distance: 50 – 63 km
Hiking Trail
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Magoebaskloof (60.1 km from Capricorn) The Lesodi Trail
starts opposite Sandford Heights Tea Room near the Magoebaskloof Hotel. The two-hour walk meanders through beautiful indigenous forest and passes magnificent examples of strangler fig trees, most notably the Cathedral Tree.
The entire Magoebaskloof Forest resonates with birdsong and is a wonderful place for birding. Samango monkeys clamber in the treetops. Rare birds to look out for are the Narina trogon and Cape parrot.
Picnic spots and braai facilities are available but bring your own firewood. Grab a map from Sandford Heights Nursery and Magoebaskloof Hotel before setting off into the forest.
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate