Limpopo: loving it

We are already planning our trip back, but even though there was lots we didn't see, and Nim's car broke down (and is currently in Polokwane), it was a glorious holiday. I have decided that active holidays are the way forward. We managed to get in at least one walk a day, at least one hour long, and often 2 to 3 hours.

Madi A Thavha was our first stop. We are not sure if this means blood from the mountains, or water from the mountains, as there seem to be different interpretations. Either way, it was soul quenching stuff. This guest farm is fair trade accredited, up against the South side of the Soutpansberg, luscious, and beautifully presented. We rented a self catering cottage attached to the main lodge building. Very cute. The farm is only 10kms from Makhado/ Louis Trichardt and just lovely. From there (Makhado) we managed to get in a long walk (3 hrs ish) in the Hanglkip reserve at the top of the town of Makhado, that ended up being a surprise through indigenous forest, with a culmination up a staircase onto a valley. Really spectacular.

One day we also followed Marcelle, one of the lodge owners, to some local sculptors and crafters. Lucky who does this christian stroke venda stuff, David Murati who had some great big scupltures, as well as lots of smaller, cheaper stuff. Then the car packed in. I did manage to buy a large pot from the pot factory near Elim, which is quite an experience in itself. I made up for it by spending big at the craft shop at Madi a Thavha which benefits from Marcelle networks and great eye. She sources from all the crafters in northern Limpopo so the money ends up going to a good cause.

We managed to get a hire car and drove that to Kurisa Moya, which is always spectacular. There was a group of 8 of us for the weekend, with lots and lots of grazing, which luckily was slightly (but not entirely) offset by lots and lots of walking there too.

I will post some pics this weekend when i can lay my hands on them.

The dogs were totally blissed out, although we are still pulling ticks off them. They are in a minor depression now we are home. I know how they feel.