Colourful Limpopo deluxe
Madi a Thavha mountain lodge
Luxury suites with mountain views, layered in the vibrant colours and earthy textures of rural Limpopo. Wholesome, home cooked meals and the best of local CraftArt in our gallery, shop, and textile studio, in fact the golden thread of Limpopo's heritage runs through our entire lodge. Cycling (with own bicycles), hiking, birding and village tours to be done at lodge and surrounds.
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Guest suites
Our six luxury Guest suites each has its own special character and beauty inspired by the rich cultural heritage of the peoples of northern Limpopo.
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Lodge facilities
Lodging guests are free to visit our Cultural Heritage centre, Art gallery, Textile & Design studio, to hike and cycle around the lodge or to just laze around the pool and lapa. Meals and picnic baskets can be booked in the Farmhouse.
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Guest rooms
Two cheerful, luxury Guest rooms with exceptional Venda, Tsonga and Northern Sotho art and craft. The rooms are close to lodge’s restaurant, pool and amenities.
This was really an outstanding trip!
“The fire-place in our suite has been wonderful, you really go the extra mile at this lodge”
Hennie and Mollie Wagner (RSA)
Activities
See and experience the lifestyles of the Venda, Tsonga and Northern Sotho peoples on our village and lifestyle tours in Northern Limpopo. If you wish we add fun, creative activities and cultural performances on tour or at the lodge. The Soutpansberg region offers unique birding, hiking and cycling opportunities. You only need to bring your own bicycles since there are no bicycle rent companies in far northern Limpopo.
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Levubu valley subtropical fruit basket of Limpopo
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Venda Land of Legend tour
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Lake Fundudzi tour
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Venda life style tour
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Cultural performances
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Day walks Soutpansberg mountain
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Soutpansberg Birding trips
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Elim Art and Culture tour
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Cycling
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Visiting schools and community projects
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Creative workshop programs
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.
To Kruger National park Phalaborwa gate
To Tzaneen, Magoebaskloof and Haenertsburg
To Kruger National Park Pafuri gate
To Kruger National Park Punda Maria gate
To Mapungubwe World Heritage site
Hospitality, artistic flair, compassion in a magic setting!
"Many thanks Aart and Marcelle and success with all your development plans! "
Peter and Monique Taylor, Centurion South Africa
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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Homu Minceka White
Traditional Tsonga beaded textiles and objects, also of spiritual significance
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Tambani
Embroidering Lungano, oral Venda traditional story telling and songs
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Sophia Baloyi
Sophia learned how to use heritage based techniques and materials to make contemporary products, based on the design and colour trends for tourists and interior decorators.
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Mapuve pottery
Creating Tsonga pots also spiritual
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Sharlotte Mabunda
Beader Sharlotte Mabunda and woodcarver Thomas Kubayi makes a creative couple, supporting each other's work too.
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Handcrafted Paper
Handcrafted paper from elephant dung
Truly an afro-centric place to spend a family getaway!
"I have been to many places locally and abroad, Madi a Thavha has a unique identity with a compelling aura. Bravo!
Tau, Tumi and Rategang Mohumapelo, South Africa.
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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Ever improving staff and services at Madi a Thavha
Busy, busy always at Madi a Thavha to keep our service up and colourful. The past few months have been full of new things and excitement at the lodge again. Would you like to volunteer at Vhutshilo mountain school for vulnerable children? Madi a Thavha supports Vhutshilo mountain school for Aids orphans and vulnerable children […]
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Woza Travel journalist loved her Venda experience with Madi a Thavha
“Venda – the word itself conjures up images of python dances, sacred forests and ancient traditional beliefs. And, in a way, it is just that; magical, cultural, friendly, welcoming,” says Sarah Bergs on her recent Woza travel blog about Madi a Thava – Woza Travel focus on Fair Trade hotels, green accredited Eco lodges, Nature […]
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How to get dung floors and rural wall-art on your city wall
Soft dung-floors and colourful wall-art on traditional Venda, Tsonga and Northern Sotho homesteads are some of the most distinct characteristics of rural Limpopo. Sadly, with modern brick-and-mortar houses being easier to build and more convenient to maintain, this wonderful indigenous art-form becomes scarcer by the day. Preserving heritage in contemporary form Rural Limpopo fortunately still […]
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Want to revive your soul – become a Baobab guardian
Each November when our giant Baobabs push out their spectacular white flowers is the best time to stop the crazy world, to rejuvenate your soul in a small 20-minute peep through a window of sheer wonder. Did you know, baobabs start to flower at the tender age of 200 years and to see a flower […]
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Limpopo’s master beaders show off their skills
This year international bead-company Preciosa Ornella invited traditional African beaders to enter a competition with the aim to encourage new, quality CraftArt done in beads. The Venda, Tsonga and Northern Sotho people in Limpopo are excellent beaders and Madi a Thavha did not hesitate to help 8 beaders from Limpopo to enter the competition. Chrystal […]
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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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Subscribe to our News update
To collect travel tips and news bits from us on CraftArt and cultural happenings in northern Limpopo and our Madi a Thavha CraftArt centre at Victoria Yards in Joburg.