The Soutpansberg Region has established 13 meanders, each presenting a unique aspect of the region.
Tropic of Capricorn Meander
The Tropic of Capricorn meander is the most southerly Meander in the Soutpansberg Region and stretchesfrom the Tropic of Capricorn in the south to Makhado. (Louis Trichardt) in the north
Elim – Giyani
The Meander starts 17 km south of Makhado (Louis Trichardt) on the N1 and travels mainly through tranquil rural areas. Elim has the oldest hospital in the province. The Elim Hospital was established in 1875 by Swiss missionaries and was once the prime centre for medical supplies to people north of Pretoria. The meander allows a scenic drive through lovely rural areas.
Southern Slope
The Southern Slope Meander enchants with its rich fauna and flora. Following the R522 south of the Soutpansberg Mountains to the west of Makhado (Louis Trichardt), visitors can visit Schoemansdal, which was vacated in 1867 and today houses an open-air museum where the structures of the first Voortrekkers can be seen. The meander also includes the Kranspoort Mission and Buysdorp, which is located against the foot of the majestic Soutpansberg Mountains.
Northern Slope
This Meander takes one 50 km along the northern slopes of the Soutpansberg Mountains, to a wealth of attractions, including the oldest producing salt pans that date back as far as 1836.
Levubu Subtropical Fruit Basket
Levubu has the province’s most beautiful and fertile sub-tropical farms where fruits, such as pineapples, mangos, litchis and many more, are cultivated. Enjoy the abundance of nature!
Thohoyandou – Arts and Crafts Meander
The former capital of the Venda homeland is still the commercial centre of the Venda community. Meet the people and see how they live.
Alldays
Road R521 leads to the town of Alldays and to Pontdrif, which is the border post between South Africa and Botswana. Alldays is home to many private game and hunting farms.
Mapungubwe – Venetia Mine
Mapungubwe is South Africa’s fifth World Heritage Site and lies in the Vhembe-Dongola Transfrontier Park. Visit the ruins by prior arrangement and enjoy game-viewing along the way.
Musina – Masekwaspoort
Between Masekwaspoort and Musina visitors travel through spectacular bushveld and mopani veld. The area has several game farms.
Mopane
The area through which this route travels is well known for mopane trees (Colophospermum mopane) and the mopane worm (Gonimbrasia belina). The mopane worm, which is really a type of caterpillar, has a high protein content and when dried it can be stored for a long time. It is considered a culinary delicacy by the people of the area.
Tshipise
The Tshipise Route includes the hot pools of the Tshipise Holiday Resort and the lovely sites of that area, as well as the Nwanedi National Park, various resorts and the “Big Tree”. The meander ends at the Pafuri Gate in the far north of the Kruger National Park.
Tunnels
The Tunnels Route provides an interesting travel alternative in the form of a series of tunnels between Makhado (Louis Trichardt) to Masekwaspoort. In-between the tunnels, you will be able to enjoy the natural undisturbed scenery.
Nzhelele
The Meander winds through many villages on the road to Sibasa and takes visitors past Dzata Vha Venda where they can observe the culture and customs of the past.
