Limpopo Business 2016-17 edition
The 2016/17 edition of Limpopo Business is the eighth issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2007, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to the Limpopo province. Limpopo is unique in terms of its abundant natural and human resources, and is also one of the key drivers behind the South African economy. This edition of Limpopo Business is officially endorsed by the Office of the Premier of Limpopo.
The 2016/17 edition of Limpopo Business is the eighth issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2007, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to the Limpopo province.
Limpopo is unique in terms of its abundant natural and human resources, and is also one of the key drivers behind the South African economy.
This edition of Limpopo Business is officially endorsed by the Office of the Premier of Limpopo.
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OVERVIEW<br />
Outdoor pursuits<br />
National parks: The Kruger<br />
National Park covers nearly<br />
20 000 square kilometres and attracts<br />
more than a million visitors<br />
annually. It has six ecosystems,<br />
1 982 species of plants, 5<strong>17</strong> species<br />
of birds and 147 species of<br />
mammals – including each of the<br />
“Big Five”: lion, leopard, African<br />
elephant, African buffalo and<br />
rhinoceros.<br />
The Marakele National Park<br />
is situated on the Waterberg escarpment<br />
in the south-west of<br />
the province, relatively near to<br />
Gauteng. The Sterkstroom River<br />
runs through it and it is home to<br />
elephant, rhino and rare vultures.<br />
Adventure tourism: The<br />
mountains of the Waterberg, the<br />
Soutpansberg and the northern<br />
reaches of the Drakensberg offer<br />
opportunities for abseiling, caving,<br />
kloofing and rock-climbing.<br />
White-water rafting and tubing<br />
are other popular activities, especially<br />
in the <strong>Limpopo</strong> Valley and<br />
in the Olifants and Blyde canyons<br />
in the east of the province.<br />
Mountain biking is a favourite<br />
pastime in the Magoebaskloof<br />
area, while quad-biking can<br />
be found in several parts of<br />
the province.<br />
Hunting: The centre of hunting is the north-western town of Lephalale,<br />
with other northern towns like Alldays, Vivo, Musina and Dendron near<br />
to private game farms on which hunting is undertaken. This lucrative<br />
activity is strictly controlled by the Professional Hunters’ Association<br />
(PHA), with certain restrictions in place to protect the long-term future<br />
of the environment. The PHA estimated the value of the industry in 2010<br />
at R7.6-billion. A Thabazimbi game auction in 2012 achieved a turnover<br />
of R69.8-million, but the individual price achieved in 2009 for a single<br />
buffalo bull (R3.4-million) is an indication of the potential of this market.<br />
Birding: The Blouberg Nature Reserve is an excellent site for Cape<br />
Vultures, containing one of the largest breeding colonies. Four birding<br />
routes criss-cross the province, illustrating the diversity of birds<br />
found in the province’s varied terrain. More than 600 bird species have<br />
been recorded.<br />
ANNUAL EVENTS<br />
<strong>Limpopo</strong> Marula Festival, Phalaborwa (February)<br />
Polokwane Show and Music Festival (March)<br />
Kiwifruit Festival, Magoebaskloof (April)<br />
Zion Christian Church gathering, Moria (Easter)<br />
Thabazimbi Tourism & Game Expo. Potato Festival, Vivo (May)<br />
Ellisras Bushveld Festival. Polokwane Arts Festival (June)<br />
Musina Show (July)<br />
Oppikoppi, music festival, Northam. Trout Festival, Haenertsburg<br />
(August)<br />
Magoebaskloof Spring Festival (September)<br />
Biltong Festival, Mokopane (October)<br />
Mapungubwe Arts and Cultural Festival, Polokwane (December)<br />
ONLINE RESOURCES<br />
<strong>Limpopo</strong> Department of Economic Development,<br />
Environment and Tourism: www.ledet.gov.za<br />
<strong>Limpopo</strong> Tourism and Parks: www.golimpopo.com<br />
<strong>Limpopo</strong> Wildlife Resorts: www.lwr.co.za<br />
Open Africa. www.openafrica.org<br />
Polokwane Show: www.polokwaneshow.co.za<br />
South African Golf Tourism Association: www.sagta.co.za<br />
South African National Parks: www.sanparks.co.za<br />
South African Tourism: www.southafrica.net<br />
Tourism Enterprise Partnership:<br />
www.sahiddentreasures.co.za<br />
Tourism Grading Council of South Africa:<br />
www.tourismgrading.co.za<br />
79 LIMPOPO BUSINESS <strong>2016</strong>/<strong>17</strong>