Expect to see more locals exploring SA
AS MUCH as R100 million has
been invested in growing the
domestic tourism sector in
the country, Tourism Minister Derek
Hanekom said at the launch of Tourism
Month in Limpopo. The Minister added
that it was important for all South
Africans to become ambassadors for
their country.
“With this investment, we are
committed to ensuring that the
wonders we boast of, and the unique
heritage we have been endowed with,
are shared by more and more South
Africans,” he said.
In 2014, tourism accounted for close
to 10% of all employed people in
South Africa. Domestic trips increased
by 11% in 2014 to reach 28 million.
The revenue generated by Domestic
Tourism alone in 2014 was R26,8bn.
Derek said, for the country to reach
the target of 18 million domestic
tourists by 2020 as set out in the
National Tourism Sector Strategy, it
would have to work hard to make
tourism more affordable and more
accessible to all South Africans.
“We are therefore very keen to work
with the trade to make travel a reality
for millions of South Africans. All
members of the trade are encouraged
to upload their value-for-money deals
on to the Sho’t Left website and to
provide a variety of packages and
options to suit all budgets.”
Limpopo proves why ‘local is lekker’
Karolien van Rooy
Amarula Lapa
Limpopo is home to one of South
Africa’s favourite beverages – Amarula.
Visit the Amarula Lapa to learn about
the origins of the drink and sample
it in a variety of ways. Nearby is the
Amarula processing plant where the
marula fruit is brought during the
harvesting season. The Lapa itself is
open all year round for visitors and
is a great stop-over on the way to the
Kruger National Park, just 12km south
west of Phalaborwa
Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour
The Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour is
a unique and adventurous way of
exploring the Groot Letaba River
while swinging between 13 different
platforms. The trained guides are
there not only for safety but to
provide tourists with commentary
about the area and its wildlife.
From their lofty vantage point,
travellers can enjoy views of the
fauna and flora along with sparkling
waterfalls.
The Big Baobab
The Sunland Baobab tree – one
of the widest and oldest species
of its kind in the world – is
located in Limpopo. Estimated to
be around 6 000 years old, the
tree has a massive trunk that
measures 47m in circumference.
A tiny, fully equipped bar is
located inside the tree. Daytrip
fees of R20 per person are
required, but children under three
visit free. The Sunland Baobab
Jungalows offers travellers
accommodation for a longer stay
in the area. Nearby activities
include Modjadjiskloof Cycad
Forest, Magoebaskloof and the
Modjadji forests.
Legend’s extreme 19th
Legend Golf and Safari Resort
offers the world’s only extreme
19th golf hole, shaped like the
map of Africa. The hole is only
accessible by helicopter and
golfers tee off 400m up on Hanglip
Mountain. The resort’s golf course
has captured the attention of
golfing superstars as well as
celebrities. Legend Golf and Safari
Resort offers conference facilities,
safaris and accommodation,
including vacation homes, a spa
and botanical gardens.
Royal Kraal of Modjadji
The Modjadji rain queen comes
from the special village of Modjadji
just north of Tzaneen. Moshakge
Nerwick Molokwane, secretary
to the Balobedu Royal Council,
takes visitors on a tour of the
kraal, explaining the story of Queen
Modjadji in a traditional tribal setting.
Mapungubwe National Park
This region saw the rise of the first
indigenous kingdom in Southern
Africa from AD900 to 1 300.
Special areas of interest include
the Lost City on Mapungubwe
Hill, where an ancient Iron Age
community once traded with the
East. There is also an abundance
of wildlife, including elephant, lion
and leopard.
Maropeng – captivating
and close to home
AS THE official visitor centre for the
Cradle of Humankind World Heritage
Site, Maropeng has become a popular
venue for travellers seeking a cultural,
just-out-of-Johannesburg experience.
Maropeng is a unique destination
that allows visitors to embark on the
journey that human beings have taken,
at the same time replacing the hustle
and bustle of Johannesburg with wide
open spaces and breath-taking views,
says Lindsay Marshall, marketing and
communications manager and acting
gm of Maropeng. “It’s the opportunity
to experience the only World Heritage
Site in Gauteng.”
Lindsay says Maropeng is the perfect
breakaway, with opportunities to
experience the Maropeng exhibition
or do a tour through the Sterkfontein
Caves 10km away.
“We always hear people say: ‘I can’t
believe I am in Gauteng, so close to
home, yet look at this environment’,
and you realise what a special place
it is when people are captivated,” she
adds.
Just an hour’s drive from Pretoria
and Johannesburg, the Maropeng
Conference Centre offers guests some
of the best views in Gauteng along with
four-star service at the Maropeng Hotel.
The property offers a niche
conference set-up for conference
organisers, with a dedicated events
team to assist with all conference,
team-building or strategy sessions for
groups of up to 500 delegates.
Nonnie Kubeka, head of Gauteng
Conventions & Events Bureau at the
Gauteng Tourism Authority says: “The
secluded and serene environment
in the Cradle of Humankind World
Heritage Site provides a unique
atmosphere that facilitates
concentrated attention and the
effective sharing of knowledge. This
environment ignites creativity and
innovation.”
Hominid House at Maropeng has
been recently upgraded to provide
six additional private rooms and the
volleyball court and braai areas have
had a facelift.
According to Nonnie, other future
developments include picnic sites,
the experience laboratory and a
virtual lab that will have a web-cam
platform designed and supported by
National Geographic. “This will facilitate
communication between scientists and
children within the country,” she says.
“It is then hoped to expand this
platform to international audiences and
participants in other countries and it
is hoped that China, which has its own
extraordinary palaeoanthropological and
palaeontological research, will be one
of the first participating countries to be
linked in to this platform.”
“Not only is Maropeng celebrating its
10th birthday this year but September
is also Heritage Month, so we are the
ideal getaway for this time of year and
there are some fantastic promotions
coming up,” says Lindsay.
“Our fossils are cast in stone but
our events are not and we are trying to
create experiences that people will take
away with them for a long time.”
