Play and feel colourful Limpopo!
Activities
Do you like to play? If you like to feel, taste, hear and experience colourful Limpopo, this interactive way is probably cut out for you. We offer guided village tours, creative activities, cultural performances and excellent birding and hiking opportunities in the Soutpansberg and surrounds. Sitting central in Northern Limpopo, Madi a Thavha mountain lodge is also a popular stop close to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mapungubwe, Kruger Park North and the subtropical green belt of Levubu and Tzaneen.
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Venda life style tour
The lifestyle tour offers a mixture of modern and traditional life in predominantly TshiVenda-speaking areas. It goes through rural villages and end up in Thohoyandou, meaning Head of the Elephant, the capital of Venda and surroundings. See how and where most rural Venda households grind their maize meal Follow the N 1 to the north and […]
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Cycling
Madi a Thavha is one of the lodges tipped by the local cycling clubs as “cycle friendly accommodation” in the area. The Soutpansberg has lots of exciting opportunities for serious and fun cyclers . Soutpansberg is a superb cycling destination Here are endless trails for all grades of riding. The local Mountain cycling club, has […]
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Visiting schools and community projects
We like to share our involvement with social development and education projects with our guests and offer them the opportunity to visit them.Guests can visit the children of our staff at the houses of their relatives in Tshiozwi by car or mountain bike. The children love showing their living environment and villages. Vhutsilo Mountain school […]
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Day walks Soutpansberg mountain
Apart from our own three short circle routes at Madi a Thavha, hiking through local villages can be arranged for those who like to experience culture in a more inter-active mode. Boabab circle route at Madi a Thavha The one-and-a-half-hour circular Baobab-route up the mountain is quite popular. Our local Boabab expert, dr Sarah Venter measured […]
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Venda Land of Legend tour
This tour takes visitors to the north of Venda with its amazing Baobab trees, quaint villages, raw beauty and famous artists. If you have time also see the biggest Boabab tree in the region and the modern Oprah-school with its eco-friendly design in the deepest of the Venda mountains. Head North-East through Nzhelele valley in […]
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Soutpansberg Birding trips
There are rare birds in Limpopo, high on birders’ covet and bucket lists – this is only region in South Africa where you can, if you are lucky and persistent, see the Mottled Spinetail. Birdlife SA guide Madi a Thavha Mountain Lodge offers guided birding trips to Birding hot spots of choice with Samson Mulaudzi, a […]
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Lake Fundudzi tour
Lake Fundudzi, Phiphidi waterfalls and the indigenous Thathe Vondo forest are some of the most sacred sites of the Vhavhenda people and an integral part of their spirituality. Rather consult a tour guide The tour to the sacred Lake Fundudzi and Thathe Vondo forest can be done as a day trip, starting at Madi a […]
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Levubu valley subtropical fruit basket of Limpopo
The fertile Levubu valley with its subtropical crops like avocados, bananas, litchis, guavas and macadamia and pecan nuts is often described as the fruit basket of Northern Limpopo. The Levubu valley runs east to west along the southern foot hills of the Soutpansberg mountains going east between Louis Trichardt and the Kruger National Park’s Punda Maria […]
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Creative workshop programs
The talented artists and crafters of Limpopo are also first-rate teachers. A few days working with a master in a rural village can be a life changing experience. Relaxed, creative atmosphere and patient teachers The artists and crafters of Northern Limpopo are not only talented people but also excellent teachers. They like to share their […]
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Cultural performances
Swinging entertainment with local performers. Few peoples can sing and dance like the Africans with their inborn rhythm and captivating ability to fill the air with their strong voices and rich harmonious songs.
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Elim Arts and Culture tour
This tour introduces you to colourful Elim and surrounding villages where we visit the workshops of a wide variety of artists and crafters. Here we advise guests to make use of the services of a local tour guide, since many places are not that easy to find. Daily township life in Tshikota and Indian shops […]
Our tour guides
Musa Matchume Marcelle Bosch Alfred Ramolefo Samson Mulaudzi
A ‘feel good’ experience!
This lodge’s involvement in the social, cultural and natural assets of their region is truly a big step forward to sustainable tourism from every point of view. To stay at Madi a Thavha is a feel good experience too!"
Hano Boekhold – Tanzania
Routes
Sitting central in Northern Limpopo Madi a Thavha mountain lodge make for a popular stay over very close to Botswana, Zimbabwe and for the more adventurous 4x4 drivers also close to Mozambique. We are well-situated to do wonderful day trips to Mapungubwe, the two most northern gates of the National Kruger Park, Pafuri and Punda Maria and the subtropical green belts of the Levubu valley and the Wolkberge in Tzaneen.
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To Kruger National Park Punda Maria gate
Enjoy our hip, rural region. See wonderful and original art along the road. Experience the vibe of Thohoyandou on your way to Punda gate. First stop Elim. This is a route from Madi a Thavha Mountain Lodge to the Punda Maria gate of the Kruger National park, approximately 150 km east of our lodge along […]
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To Kruger National park Phalaborwa gate
Traversing Limpopo from Bosveld to Lowveld via vibrant Elim, the Tsonga open air museum in Letsitele and Kaross’ brilliant embroidered works. A photographer’s dream, the whole route. The scenic route from Madi a Thavha to Phalaborwa gate. From Madi a Thavha, first ensure your camera-battery is loaded and ready. You drive to vibrant Elim first. There you […]
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To Kruger National Park Pafuri gate
Boababs galore on this unusual and scenic rural route to Pafuri, the most northern gate of Kruger National Park. One of only two border posts (for 4×4 adventurers) to Mozambique is also tucked in at ‘Crooks corner’ where South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique’s borders intersect. Scenic route through the mountains and valleys of Venda land. […]
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To Tzaneen, Magoebaskloof and Haenertsburg
Enjoy more of the green, subtropical parts of Limpopo. Lush Tzaneen and Magoebaskloof in the Wolkberge From Madi a Thavha go to and drive through Louis Trichardt / Makhado. When you get to the N1 turn to the right/south direction Polokwane. Drive for 38 kilometres on the N 1 and just before the Capricorn Tollgate turn […]
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To Mapungubwe World Heritage site
Golden rhino, ancient civilizations, big game and award winning architecture at Mapungubwe World Heritage site confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe,where many generations left their footprints; from Iron age peoples to San hunters, earlier Venda tribes, ivory hunters and settlers. Where two wide African rivers and three robust countries meet. At the confluence of the […]
Thank you all at Madi a Thavha, it was a wonderful stay and more!
"It was an experience – it is great to understand more fully the cultural side of Limpopo and its people."
Gary Clare, Georgie, Tonie Harris, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
Arts & Culture centre
Rural artists live close to earth. Connected to the worldwide web and being grounded in the culture of rural communities, paved the way to an exciting rural-hip style developing in the far north of South Africa – one that draw from the rich cultural heritage of the north yet also engages with modern mediums and universal politics. Our lodge is infused with this vibe, by design and by passion.
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Mogalakwena Craft Art
Contemporary embroidery work expressing Northern Sotho rural stories
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Nyeleti Maluleke
Colorful necklesses, bracelets and earrings inspired by ancestors
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Azwi Magoro
A master, roots of his heritage expressed in finest detail
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Mishack Raphalalani
Culture, religion and oral history feature strongly in master's sculptures
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Kheila Ngobeni
Beading secrets from the royal kraal
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Hlamarisa Vuma
Rich tradition of beading in rural Tsonga communities, high skills levels too
Just as beautiful as the region so lovely the lodge.
"Here we’ve seen ‘real Africa’ for the first time. The hike in the mountain was lovely too".
Hans Mirjam, Els, Bas, The Netherlands
Madi a Thavha News update
The mountains and valleys of Northern Limpopo has many surprises and delightful experiences to offer; a colorful spread of cultural heritage, CraftArt and extraordinary biodiversity awaits visitors who like to explore. With our News Update you can keep your finger on the pulse of special treats, tours, workshops and new discoveries in the vibrant North. Enjoy and thank you for visiting! Find more articles here »
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We love seeing our people grow and glow
One of the best things in life is to witness people grow. At Madi a Thavha we are fortunate that we have seen a couple of men and women grow their inherent potential to become confident young leaders. Tebocho attended Access to Markets for Profit Workshop Tebocho Mathase, manager of the Madi a Thavha Textile […]
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2nd year as Limpopo Craft Flagship focus on marketing
In September, we enter our second year as the National Arts Council’s Craft Flagship in Limpopo. During year two, more focus will be on marketing. Madi a Thavha is busy building a showroom in Parkhurst where Limpopo artists can exhibit and we are currently identifying places and events in Joburg and other big cities where […]
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Madi a Thavha a finalist in Limpopo tourism award
Madi a Thavha was one of three finalists in the lodge category of the Lilizela awards in Limpopo. We attended the award ceremony together with Mopane Bush Lodge and Blyde River Canyon lodge at Zebula lodge and Spa in Bela-Bela. Although we did not win, the staff feel very motivated to enter the competition next […]
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Still weak but Thomas Kubayi much better
It has been a few months since friends from all over the world rallied to get well known Limpopo artist, Thomas Kubayi the treatment required to save his life. Thomas hugely appreciate every single one’s generosity, he returned home confident that he would soon be able to resume work. However, his condition returned and worsened […]
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Exporting Limpopo’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent Baobabs in one go
Cultural heritage is a big thing in Northern Limpopo and so is our magnificent Baobab trees, see how we are marrying the two and export them both. Vendas have high regard for their cultural heritage Woodcarver and herbalist David Murathi is a VhaVenda man. Venda people have a high regard for their traditions, customs and […]
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Madi a Thavha’s staff are great, growing and creative
This year, five of our staff members entered items for the National Craft award competition of the Innibos Art Festival in Mpumalanga. We are so proud of them. The Innibos craft awards were also the culmination and wrapping up of this year’s National Art’s council programme for 2016-17 meant to develop and promote Limpopo’s crafters. […]
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Three Limpopo crafters selected for prestigious Innibos Craft Awards 2017
Madi a Thavha mountain lodge is all about rural hip fused with luxury, 4-star accommodation in the heart of colourful Limpopo. This year we assisted 32 Limpopo crafters to enter the prestigious Innibos National Craft Awards. Three made it to the top 50 list Three of our 32 entries made it to the shortlist of […]
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