South Africa: Limpopo: Lephalale

Lephalale (previously known as Ellisras)

Location

The Lephalale area, demarcated as LIM362, is situated in the north-western part of the Limpopo Province and covers an area of 19605 square kilometres or 1 960 514,42 ha, the biggest municipal area in Limpopo in terms of geographical size.

Lephalale Town (previously Ellisras) is situated between 23°30 and 24°00 south latitude and 27°30 and 28°00 east latitude. The Lephalale area is on average 820m above sea level.

Lephalale

The word Lephalale refers to the Palala River which means “the barrier” because of its deep incision into the Palala Plateau draining from east to north-west into the Limpopo River. The Palala River, a tributary to the Limpopo River, is located almost in the centre of the Lephalale Municipal area.

Tourism

The Lephalale area offers an infinite variety of scenic contrasts from the unique Waterberg Wilderness with its extraordinary beauty which lies in its superb vistas mountain gorges, clear streams and rolling hills, all rich in indigenous species of flora and fauna and many rock art and geological sites, to the fertile plains of the Limpopo valley with its abundance of game and hunting farms.

The variety of birds, trees and grasslands are spectacular and an eco-tourist’s dream to discover. The numerous activities offered in the area are, inter alia: game drives, guided bush walks, hiking, bird watching, riding safaris, cattle mustering, hunting, fishing, 4X4 and mountain bike trails as well as boat cruises. Lephalale is also affordable big 5 country and the area caters for both international trophy as well as biltong hunters. Cultural tourism like traditional dancing and sports tourism where the tourist can enjoy his/her favourite sport is also high on the list of tourism activities. The 18 hole golf course is a hidden gem.

The Mama Tau White Lion breeding project is a very important place of interest to visit.
Given its exceptional climate, the malaria free Lephalale area is a prime area for a winter holiday destination.

Three provincial reserves are found in Lephalale, namely: Wonderkop Nature Reserve, D’Nyala Reserve as well as the Mokolo Dam Nature Reserve. Investment properties exist with regard to the abovementioned reserves. The Mokolo Dam is part of the African Ivory route which has its origin in the legendary exploits of early ivory hunters and gold traders. Today the mentioned Ivory Route is an important eco-tourism and 4X4 destination, popular with safari enthusiasts.

The very popular annual Lephalale Agricultural/Tourism Show during mid-May and the annual Bushveld festival during the first weekend of July became a showcase for tourism in our area. Lephalale is a true gateway to Botswana and Africa via four international border posts.

The Rhinoceros Museum and Living Museum at Melkrivier is the first of its kind anywhere in Africa. A museum devoted to the life and work of pioneer naturalist, Eugene Marais, is located on the same site. The Waterberg Museum is also based on the same site.

Tourism Routes

Five self-drive routes have been launched within the Lephalale area. The routes are as follows:
- Mokolo Route
- Marula Route
- Limpopo Route
- Waterberg Route
- Heritage Route

Waterberg Biosphere

The biggest part of the Waterberg Biosphere is located within Lephalale. The entire biosphere amounts to 15 000 square kilometres. The said Biosphere Reserve is the first ‘savannah’ biosphere reserve registered with UNESCO in Southern Africa. The zonation of the Waterberg Biosphere is as follows:
- Care Area(s)
- Buffer Zones
- Transition Zones

Climate and Geology

The entire Lephalale area falls in the summer rainfall region with an average of 400mm rain per annum. Lephalale enjoys an average sunshine duration of 72%. Average temperatures are – summer 32°C and winter 21°C. Lephalale is known for its hot summers and mild winters.

Lephalale is situated in a Savannah biome in terms of biological diversity. This biome is an area of mixed grassland and Bushveld trees – therefore the area is generally known as Bushveld. Indigenous trees like the majestic Baobab (Adansonia digitata), Knob Thorn, Leadwood, Marula, Red Bush willow, Acacia etc are to be found in abundance.

The subjacent geology of the Lephalale area consists of quartzite sandstone of the Waterberg Super Group in the south whilst Karoo Super Group is found to the north and east, consisting of sandstone and shale.

Large coal deposits, coal bed methane, as well as diamonds, fluor spar and phosphates are found in Lephalale. Only coal, diamonds and phosphates are currently being mined.

All rivers, including the Mokolo, Matlabas and Palala drain northwards into the Limpopo River, which forms the north western border with Botswana. The Palala River arises in the higher southern portion of the Palala Plateau and flows through it northwards into the Limpopo River. The Mokolo River also arises in the higher southern portion of the Waterberg, and flows northwards through the Palala Plateau into the Limpopo River.
Mokolo means “the surge”, which indicates the propensity of this river to floods.

The Matlabas River arises high in the western rampart in the sponge areas on the farm Mamiaanshoek on Marakele. It first flows west and then northwards through Marakele National Park. Its name means “the river of sand”. The Mogalakwena River arises just west of Modimolle, and then flows northwards around the eastern edge of the Waterberg. The name of the river means “the stronghold of the crocodile”.

“The Waterberg is like indelible ink – Once experienced never to be erased”
- Clive Walker -

Information and pictures provided by Lephalale Tourism

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