The Soutpansberg Mountains in Limpopo province is South Africa's northernmost range. It rises abruptly in the west near the village of Vivo and stretches east in a series of wild peaks and troughs before petering out, 130kms later, near the northern boundary of the Kruger National Park.

The Soutpansberg range derives its name from the large salt-pans found at the base of its northern slope in the west - pans which have probably been used by game and whose salt has been exploited from stone age times right up to the present. The salt pans are open to the public and well worth a visit. The highest peak, Letjume (1 747m), lies about 800m above the surrounding plains.

For the nature lover, the area abounds in game farms, natural heritage sites and nature reserves. Experience the breathtaking scenery on foot through guided hikes, self-guided walks or with a 4 X 4.

Fauna and Flora
This is a region with an amazing diversity of fauna and flora, from mountain fynbos to centuries old boababs, sacred forests to genuine "hardekool Bosveld" - it's all there. Step into the domain of the elusive loerie, or watch the majestic vultures circling the sides of the Blouberg.

The Soutpansberg is a birder's paradise with no less than 380 bird species and good birding spots are the Hanglip Picnic Spot, Pafuri Picnic Spot in the Kruger National Park and the Ben Lavin, Langjan, Blouberg and Happy Rest nature reserves. Some of South Africa's Red Data bird species occurring in the area include the blackfronted bush shrike, bluespotted dove, goldenbacked pytelia, Cape vulture, Peregrine falcon, black stork and the bat hawk.

No less than 555 tree species have been identified in the Soutpansberg. In addition, the mountain range is home to some 94 mammal species, four kinds of tortoise, 44 lizard species, 48 snake species, 1 crocodile species, 23 amphibian species and one butterfly species.

An amazing 145 tree species can be seen in the Indigenous Tree Sanctuary in Makhado (Louis Trichardt) and the Levubu Arboretum boasts 290 species. The various tree species at the Hanglip Picnic Site and Forest have been well marked. A nature reserve in which cycads are protected, the Mphaphuli Cycad Reserve lies east of Thohoyandou and boasts a hiking trail.

The largest boabab in the country, over 3000 years old, is found near Nwanedi, east of Tshipise and the famous Elephant's Trunk boabab can be seen in the Erich Mayer Park, just outside Musina.

The mountain contains 38 endemic plants and 46 (or 70%) of the 66 families of spiders, which reflects the highest diversity in South Africa in one area.

Historical Sites
South Africa's youngest and northernmost national park, the Mapungubwe National Park is situated at the historical archaeological site of Mapungubwe, which has been dated to 1000 A.D. The Park also houses the fauna and flora of the Limpopo/Shasi catchment area and is situated west of Musina close to Pontdrift. ,

Places of historical importance are Dzata Ruins, the site of the VhaVenda royal village dating back to 1 400 AD and iron furnaces dating back to 1250 AD at Tshimbubfe.

An archaeological site where gold was smelted in 1 200 AD, Thulamela is situated close to Pafuri.

The world's oldest datable rock, a piece of granite gneiss dated almost 4 000 million years old, is an impressive feature to be viewed in the Messina Nature Reserve.

People
The Venda populate most of the Soutpansberg and their indigenous knowledge in the field of wood carving, pottery, traditional healing, story telling, music and dancing is well known.

The VhaVenda culture is steeped in the spirit world and finds expression in their woodcarvings, pottery and the decoration of their buildings. Take a cultural drive through the old Venda, where surrounded by echoes of the past amazing panoramas open up - remote villages clinging to hillsides, tumbling waterfalls, deeply flowing streams shrouded by cycads and tree ferns, delicate wild flowers and dense forests.

At Lwamondo Hill, named after a clan whose stronghold it still is, a troupe of sacred baboons still keep watch. Their task was to warn the Lwamondo of any intruders by barking fiercely. The enemy would then be dispersed by a shower of rocks and arrows. The baboons are protected to this day.

Many legends were born, telling of the spirits of the water and the sacred guardians of hidden lakes and ancient burial places in the silence of the indigenous forests. Whether you go from east to west or vice versa, the spaces are wild, the people friendly and the land steeped in culture and legend.

Makhado (formerly Louis Trichardt) is the main centre of the Soutpansberg. It is a handsome rural town with wide streets, historic buildings and suburbs that stretch towards the foothills. This is a far cry from the days, 100 000 years ago, when the area was inhabited by Stone Age hunter-gatherers. They were followed by the intrepid San, the ancestors of the Venda, Shangaan and Sotho people.

The Soutpansberg is also home to the sacred lake, Lake Fundudzi, where according to Venda legend, a white crocodile lives. Lake Fundudzi is the only naturally formed lake in South Africa.

No matter what your reason for visiting the Soutpansberg of one thing you can be sure, it will be an unforgettable experience filled with breathtaking beauty, culture and history.