LIMPOPO AND NORTH WEST REGION
The Limpopo and North West Provinces are two of South Africa's lesser known regions, they do however contain much of interest to the tourist and some excellent wildlife parks.
Limpopo is South Africa's northernmost province, lying within the great curve of the Limpopo River. It is a region of contrasts, from true bushveld country to majestic mountains, primeval indigenous forests, unspoilt wilderness and patchworks of farmland.
The province borders the countries of Botswana to the west, Zimbabwe to the north and Mozambique to the east. In the eastern region lies the northern half of the magnificent Kruger National Park, a nature reserve teeming with African wildlife in a total area roughly the size of Israel.
Limpopo is in the savanna biome and named after the river which forms the border with Zimbabwe and Botswana. Limpopo is an area of mixed grassland and trees generally known as bushveld. A summer-rainfall region, the northern and eastern areas are subtropical with hot and humid summers and mist in the mountains. Winter is mild and mostly frost-free.
Rich in natural beauty, culture and wildlife, Limpopo has a thriving tourism industry. In addition to the Kruger National Park, there are 54 provincial reserves and several luxury private game reserves.
North West Province lies in the north of South Africa on the Botswana border, fringed by the Kalahari desert in the west, Gauteng province to the east, and the Free State to the south.
North West has a number of major tourist attractions, including the internationally famous Sun City, the Pilanesberg National Park, the Madikwe Game Reserve and the Rustenburg Nature Reserve.
The landscape consists of largely flat regions of scattered trees and grassland. The Magaliesberg mountain range in the northeast extends about 130 kilometres from Pretoria to Rustenburg, while the Vaal River forms the province's southern border.
Both Limpopo and North west Province have game reserves which lie in the malaria free and low malaria risk areas of South Africa in particular Madikwe, Pilanesberg and Marakele.
The best time to visit is during the dry and sunny winter months from April to October although with good roads and flight connections these provinces can be visited at any time.