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.
Our six luxury Guest suites each has its own special character and beauty inspired by the rich cultural heritage of the people of northern Limpopo.
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.
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.
“The fire-place in our suite has been wonderful, you really go the extra mile at this lodge”
Hennie and Mollie Wagner (RSA)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.
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 Mapungubwe World Heritage site
To Kruger National Park Punda Maria gate
To Kruger National Park Pafuri gate
To Tzaneen, Magoebaskloof and Haenertsburg
To Kruger National park Phalaborwa gate
"Many thanks Aart and Marcelle and success with all your development plans! "
Peter and Monique Taylor, Centurion South Africa
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.
Childcare volunteers in the far Northern Limpopo, sew and bead as extra income.
Acclaimed master potter Rebecca Matibe is a perfectionist
Kenneth likes to carve fishes and crocodiles but actually "I am the king of the birds" he laughs, "because this is what my surname Nonyama means".
Embroidering Lungano, oral Venda traditional story telling and songs
Known for huge sculpted marimbas, drums and wooden sculptures
Exquisitely rich embroidered, reshuffled and remixed CraftArt of Tsonga heritage
"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.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 »
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.