Makhado named after the vhaVenda leader who ruled the area for many years, is situated in a highly fertile, rapidly growing agricultural area where litchis, bananas, mangoes and nuts are produced.
The town has become one of Limpopo's premier business and tourist destinations and is the perfect springboard from which to visit the Songozwi sacred burial site of the vhaVenda, as well as Makhado's 'office', a secluded cave from where the chief conducted his campaign against the Voortrekkers.
The Voortrekkers first settled at the Salt Pan, then later at the site now known as Schoemansdal. Together with Commandant Andries Hendrik Potgieter it was agreed to build a Town. Trichardt subsequently left and he and his wife died of malaria after an arduous trip.
Eventually in 1848 the Zoutpansbergdorp was established under the leadership of Commandant Schoeman. The remains of these structures can be seen at the Schoemansdal Open Air museum. The Church of the Covenant was built after the battle between early settlers and the Vendas and the white building stands in striking contrast to the Blue Mountains in the distance.
Louis Trichardt (Makhado) is an important commercial, industrial and residential centre in the Northern Region, a true 'gateway' to Africa – only one hour’s drive from the Zimbabwean border at Beitbridge.
Limpopo Province is renowned for its arts, crafts and design. There are acclaimed crafters and artists, traditional dancers, storytellers, gardeners, and singers to be seen on the Ribolla Open Africa Route, in traditional Shangaan and Venda villages where visitors can stay overnight at rondavels or in luxury accommodation in nearby lodges. Here one can experience the culture and traditional way of life of the people of this region and the history of Louis Trichardt, also known as Makhado. Louis Trichardt (Makhado) is an important commercial, industrial and residential centre in the Northern Region, a true 'gateway' to Africa, and to know all about the beautiful place. – only one hour’s drive from the Zimbabwean border at Beitbridge.
The well-known town of Louis Trichardt (formerly Trichardtsdorp) is situated at the foot of the densely forested Soutpansberg mountain range in Limpopo. It derived its name from the Voortrekker leader Louis Trichardt, who refused to live under British rule in the Cape and arrived in this area in 1836. There was also another group of trekkers under the leadership of Hans van Rensburg who travelled with Louis Trichardt; however the Van Rensburg group decided to head on to Sofala (near current Beira), Mozambique, but the entire party was killed en route.
