Limpopo: looking at Lephalale

Limpopo

Looking at Lephalale

The heartbeat of the bushveld… This is the place you head to when you seek tranquillity and escape from the usual. It’s the place where you can still observe majestic sunsets and star-gaze to your heart’s content.

Lephalale is famed for coal and hunting (a reported 63% of all hunting in SA takes place in this area), but it really is so much more with an incredibly rich biosphere, history and culture.

The attraction of Lephalale lies in its expansive bushveld beauty. While many parts of South Africa off er great bush experiences, the surrounding nature areas of Lephalale are almost untouched with views of rugged landscapes, valleys and wildnersness stretching as far as the eye can see.

Once you drive out of the main town past the coal mines and head towards the bush, there is an immediate peace that is only disturbed by the antics of the various animals you come across. The silence, which can be a bit disconcerting at fi rst, begins to feel quite comforting as your breakaway progresses.

An abundance of fauna and flora

This is the place to head to when you crave nature. The Lephalale area is part of the Waterberg Biosphere – one of 500 UNESCO recognised biosphere reserves on the planet.

Interestingly, the Waterberg Biosphere is the only savannah biosphere reserve in the world.

Mammal species in the area include: nyala, white rhinoceros, giraff e, waterbuck, oryx, eland, zebra, impala, caracal, African wildcat, brown hyena, black-backed jackal and leopard.

The area is also considered a birding paradise with over 250 bird species identifi ed including: red-billed oxpecker and white-backed vulture.

There are a variety of accommodation options from rustic and luxury game farms to camp spots. In addition to rest and game viewing, there are hiking activities, water activities and cultural tours.

Interesting facts

• Lephalale means “to fl ow". • It is situated on the Moloko

River (a tributary of the

Limpopo River) and is approximately 60km from the

Botswana border. • In 2012, a large community of baboon spiders were discovered in the area during a road project. As these species are protected under the National Environmental

Management: Biodiversity

Act, 175, a new habitat was found, and the spiders were relocated. • Lephalale is annually the fi rst area to produce watermelons sold to the general market. • The town of Lephalale was originally known as Ellisras. • Late Iron Age cattle posts belonging to the Letsibogo ceramic facies have been found in the area. • The Mokolo Dam is a popular fi shing destination. • Lephalale has one of the largest open grove coal mines in the world (Grootgeluk). • Matimba is the largest direct dry cooling power station in the world.

MAIN PIC

Zebras

TOP LEFT

Nyala

TOP RIGHT

Oryx

BOTTOM LEFT

Giraff e

BOTTOM RIGHT

Leopard