Roundtrip from Polokwane visiting Tzaneen
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 14-02-2025
Route Summary From the winding roads of Magoebaskloof to the tranquility of the Agatha Forest Reserve and the cultural experiences at the Bakone Malapa Museum, it's a journey you won't soon forget.
Make sure you are well prepared, have enough fuel and a camera to capture the beautiful moments!
I rate this route with 5 stars.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
10h 42m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
261.02 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review You start your ride in Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo. After refueling, buying drinks and snacks for the road and a final check of your bike, you drive east on the R71 to Tzaneen. The ride starts quietly, through vast plains and rolling hills.
After about 60 kilometers you will reach the famous “Magoebaskloof”, one of the most iconic routes in this region. The road winds through dense forests, along steep cliffs and offers breathtaking views over the valley. This is a paradise for motorcyclists, with its winding roads and fresh mountain air. Take the time to stop at one of the lookouts, such as the “Magoebaskloof Lookout”, to enjoy the panoramic view.
On the way you can stop at the shop “Biltong & Boerie”, where they sell the authentic Biltong and Boerie. Biltong is a form of air-dried, cured meat and is related to beef jerky. The difference lies in the production process. Biltong is air-dried, which gives it a unique texture and taste, while jerky is heated to at least 71 °C (160 °F). Boerie or Boerewors is a sausage made from coarsely minced beef, pork, lamb and or goat, and if available antelope such as springbok or oryx.
In Tzaneen, a charming town surrounded by tea and citrus plantations, is a good place to rest, have a bite to eat or a drink before continuing. From Tzaneen you drive south to the Agatha Forest Reserve, an area known for its dense forests and peaceful atmosphere. The road winds through green tunnels of trees, where the sunlight plays through the leaves.
In the Agatha Forest Reserve you will find the Agatha Crocodile Ranch, a fascinating attraction that is definitely worth a visit. Here you can learn more about these prehistoric creatures. You can see crocodiles up close, learn about their behaviour and even take a guided tour. It is an interesting stop for a short educational experience. The entrance fee is R145.00 (€7.60) per person. The road to the ranch is a well-maintained gravel track.
After your visit to the crocodile farm we drive north back to Tzaneen and take the R528 south along the course of the Groot Lebata River. More than 20 large dams have been built in the Groot Letaba River basin. The Tzaneen Dam and the Middle Letaba Dam are the two largest dams in the Limpopo Province. Other large dams in the basin are the Ebenezer Dam, Magoebaskloof Dam, Nsami Dam and Modjadji Dam. The road winds through a beautiful forested area and along the way you have occasional views of the river and the vineyards.
A must-do along the way is the Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour. This adventure takes you high above the ground, where you glide between the trees on a zip-line. It’s a unique way to experience the rainforest and add an adrenaline rush to your ride. Enjoy views of the spectacular Groot Letaba River Gorge. The tour includes awe-inspiring zip-line and platform lookouts over three giant waterfalls, each tumbling 20 metres into the sparkling river below. Trained guides provide interesting facts about the fauna, flora and ecology of the area. The cost is R795.00 (€41.70) and can be booked online, although booking is advised.
You continue the journey via Haenertsburg, where you can refuel if necessary, via Ga-Molepo to Tshwene You drive on the D558 through the Black Forest, this road is partly unpaved, but good to drive on. From Tshwene we take the R37 northwards back to Polokwane.
On the way back to Polokwane a visit to the Bakone Malapa Open-Air Museum is a must, experience the hospitality and culture of the BaSotho people. They welcome visitors and introduce you to their customs and give you an insight into a much older way of life. The cultural village has been reconstructed in a style that was typical of about 250 years ago. You can learn how to make fire, how to brew beer and how to grind maize. Demonstrations of woodcarving, pottery, basketry and beadwork. There is a shop selling their products. Entrance fee is R8.00 (€0.42).
After a day full of adventure and impressions you drive back to Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo with a vibrant mix of people and culture. Polokwane has great restaurants, art galleries, museums, jazz clubs and shopping malls. It is also called the gateway city, because it is a stepping stone to a variety of natural attractions, from mountains to wilderness areas, of which you have experienced a part today. Enjoy your stay in Polokwane.
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Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
South Africa
About this region
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. Its nine provinces are bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 miles) of coastline that stretches along the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean; to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini; and it encloses Lesotho. Covering an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres (471,445 square miles), the country has over 62 million people. Pretoria is the administrative capital, while Cape Town, as the seat of Parliament, is the legislative capital. Bloemfontein has traditionally been regarded as the judicial capital. The largest and most populous city is Johannesburg, followed by Cape Town and the busiest port city in sub-Saharan Africa, Durban.
Archaeological findings suggest that various hominid species existed in South Africa about 2.5 million years ago, and modern humans inhabited the region over 100,000 years ago. The first known people were the indigenous Khoisan, and Bantu-speaking peoples who expanded from West and Central Africa later settled in the region 2,000 to 1,000 years ago. In the north, the Kingdom of Mapungubwe formed in the 13th century. In 1652, the Dutch established the first European settlement at Table Bay, and in 1795 and 1806, the British occupied it. The Mfecane, a period of significant upheaval, led to the formation of various African kingdoms, including the Zulu Kingdom. The region was further colonised, and diamonds and gold were discovered, bringing a shift towards industrialisation and urbanisation. The Union of South Africa was created in 1910 out of the former Cape, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River colonies, becoming a republic in 1961. Though a system of non-racial franchise had existed in the Cape, it was gradually eroded, and the vast majority of Black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994.
The National Party imposed apartheid in 1948, institutionalising previous racial segregation. After a largely non-violent struggle by the African National Congress and other anti-apartheid activists both inside and outside the country, the repeal of discriminatory laws began in the mid-1980s. Universal elections took place in 1994, following which all racial groups have held political representation in the country's liberal democracy, which comprises a parliamentary republic and nine provinces.
South Africa is a multi-ethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions; it is often referred to as the "rainbow nation" to describe the country's multicultural diversity, especially in the wake of apartheid. As a middle power in international affairs, South Africa maintains a significant regional influence. In addition to that, the country is a member of BRICS+, the African Union, SADC, SACU, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the G20. A developing, newly industrialised country, South Africa has the largest economy in Africa by nominal GDP. It is tied with Ethiopia for the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, and is a biodiversity hotspot with unique biomes, plant, and animal life. Since the end of apartheid, government accountability and quality of life have substantially improved. However, crime, poverty, and inequality remain widespread. Having the highest Gini coefficient of 0.63, South Africa is considered one of the most unequal countries in the world, if not the most unequal.
Read more on Wikipedia
Archaeological findings suggest that various hominid species existed in South Africa about 2.5 million years ago, and modern humans inhabited the region over 100,000 years ago. The first known people were the indigenous Khoisan, and Bantu-speaking peoples who expanded from West and Central Africa later settled in the region 2,000 to 1,000 years ago. In the north, the Kingdom of Mapungubwe formed in the 13th century. In 1652, the Dutch established the first European settlement at Table Bay, and in 1795 and 1806, the British occupied it. The Mfecane, a period of significant upheaval, led to the formation of various African kingdoms, including the Zulu Kingdom. The region was further colonised, and diamonds and gold were discovered, bringing a shift towards industrialisation and urbanisation. The Union of South Africa was created in 1910 out of the former Cape, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River colonies, becoming a republic in 1961. Though a system of non-racial franchise had existed in the Cape, it was gradually eroded, and the vast majority of Black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994.
The National Party imposed apartheid in 1948, institutionalising previous racial segregation. After a largely non-violent struggle by the African National Congress and other anti-apartheid activists both inside and outside the country, the repeal of discriminatory laws began in the mid-1980s. Universal elections took place in 1994, following which all racial groups have held political representation in the country's liberal democracy, which comprises a parliamentary republic and nine provinces.
South Africa is a multi-ethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions; it is often referred to as the "rainbow nation" to describe the country's multicultural diversity, especially in the wake of apartheid. As a middle power in international affairs, South Africa maintains a significant regional influence. In addition to that, the country is a member of BRICS+, the African Union, SADC, SACU, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the G20. A developing, newly industrialised country, South Africa has the largest economy in Africa by nominal GDP. It is tied with Ethiopia for the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, and is a biodiversity hotspot with unique biomes, plant, and animal life. Since the end of apartheid, government accountability and quality of life have substantially improved. However, crime, poverty, and inequality remain widespread. Having the highest Gini coefficient of 0.63, South Africa is considered one of the most unequal countries in the world, if not the most unequal.
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