Vhembe is the Limpopo province's northernmost region and comprises a heady mix of dramatic mountain scenery and vast tracts of wilderness along the Limpopo River Valley. They call Vhembe 'the land of legend' because of the fascinating culture of the Venda people who live here, and its many historic heritage sites.

Vhembe is a land of legend indeed. You can visit sacred lakes, ancient ruins and historic mountains. You can check out cave paintings, royal palaces and visit South Africa's first city of gold − Mapungubwe World Heritage Site, set on the banks of the Limpopo River. It was a flourishing empire that dates back to the 12th century.

The people of Mapungubwe traded with Arab traders from present-day Mozambique and other African kingdoms to the north and the west.Vhembe district borders Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and is also the gateway to the northern parts of the Kruger National Park, part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, along with Mozambique's Parc Nacional do Limpopo (Limpopo National Park) and is the world's biggest animal kingdom.

Vhembe includes the Soutpansberg Mountains - South Africa's northernmost range - and vast tracts of wilderness along the Limpopo River Valley. Vhembe includes the towns of Louis Trichardt (Mukhado), Musina and Thohoyandou, and the land of legend is also famed for its thousands of baobab trees - source of much folklore and icon of Limpopo province.

Lying in the foothills of the Soutpansberg mountains, Louis Trichardt is an agricultural centre, and a good base from which to explore the land of legend. Take a guided tour along the Ribolla Route visiting the studios and workshops of local crafters, sculptors, potters and weavers, scattered around the historic village of Elim.

Travellers can also take a tour of some of the important historical places of the Venda people, including Thathe Vondo Holy Forest, the sacred Lake Fundudzi and the Dzata Ruins which were once the capital of the Venda people, ruled by the great Thohoyandou, whose name means ‘head of the elephant'.

A guided tour to Thulamela in the northern Kruger National Park gives one a fascinating insight into the lives of an ancient culture. A hillside of stone walls and ruins tells the story of people who settled here in the 15th century.
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The majestic and awe inspiring Soutpansberg stretches 130 kilometers from west to east through the Limpopo region and takes its name from the large natural salt pans that lie at its north western basin. They are also a key area to understanding the early relationships between Khoi, San and Bantu cultures, because of the abundance of rock art that lives on in caves and overhangs here.

The Soutpansberg mountain range is South Africa's northernmost range.
Specialists believe that these salt pans were the main reason for such a gathering of people in these mountains, who probably used the Soutpansberg as refuge from the surrounding dry plains. Since prehistoric times these pans have supplied communities with salt and during the 19th century were one of the main sources of salt. The pans are still mined today.

The Soutpansberg is the gateway to Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique and attractions such as the Mapungubwe National Park, the Kruger National Park and the game reserves of the Tuli Block in Botswana. It rises abruptly in the west near the village of Vivo and stretches east in a series of wild peaks and troughs before petering out near the northern boundary of the Kruger National Park.

Nature lovers can book a trained bird guide for a tour of the beautiful natural forests of Roodewal, Entanbeni and Hanglip where more than 540 species of birds can be found, including the African Broadbill, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Pink-throated Twinspot and Pel's Fishing Owl.

If feathered friends are not your thing then perhaps a day of retail therapy on the Open Africa Ribolla Art Route would be more to your to your liking. Kuvona and Ribolla tour guides will introduce the world-renowned Venda sculptors. Purchase a Jackson Hlungwani or a Noria Mabasa original before they are snapped up by European galleries.

If soaring vistas speak to your soul, put on your hiking boots and head for the hills, mountains, gorges and waterfalls. The avid hiker could walk forever in the spectacular wilderness areas of the Soutpansberg where one can enjoy open spaces, see abundant wildlife, plenty of birds and baobabs.

Visit the lost kingdom of Mapungubwe - rediscovered after a thousand years. Take a look at the legendary Golden Rhino, glass beads and trading pieces found here from as far afield as China.

Mapungubwe World Heritage Site has a tree-top walkway along the Limpopo River with spectacular views overlooking Zimbabwe and Botswana over sandstone outcrops which glow golden in the setting sun.

There are still way more gems to be seen in the Soutpansberg. Take a trip to the Ben Lavin and Blouberg Nature Reserves or visit South Africa's only patch of Brachystegia Woodland at Gundani Campsite. Go on the Soutpansberg Skirmishes Route and follow in the steps of Breaker Morant and the Bushveld Carbineers. Take a journey into the land of legends and visit Lake Fundudzi - the only naturally formed lake in South Africa and the Thathe Sacred Forest or stand in awe of the San rock art. Experience a 4x4 adventure or appreciate the giant Baobab at Sagole. Visit the Venetia Diamond Mine or the salt pans which gave the area its name.

Anytime of the year is good to go to this region. Vhembe is an all-year-round destination due to its warm climate. Summer (October to February) days can get very hot. It could be characterised as a subtropical climate with pockets of hot semi-arid areas. Summers are warm and often humid and accompanied with afternoon thunderstorm. Winters which occur from June to August are characterised by mild afternoons and cool evenings, known to be extremely dry, with almost no precipitation. Clear skies and exceptionally low humidity at this time of the year cause temperatures to plunge close to freezing at night.