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South Africa Travel + Tourism Guide: Polokwane

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Polokwane

capital of Limpopo province (previously Northern Province)
250km north east of Pretoria
town previously called Pietersburg
city dates back to 1886 and the Voortrekkers
commercial and agricultural centre
population around 140,000
located in the north east of South Africa
one of South Africa's safest cities

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Polokwane Game Reserve, South Africa.

Polokwane, in Limpopo province, lies on the Great North Road to Zimbabwe. The most northern of South Africa's World Cup venues it is situated just south of the Tropic of Capricorn, and is 250 kilometres from Pretoria.

The smallest host city in the competition, Polokwane will be the venue for Group One matches. The Peter Mokaba stadium, situated just to the south of the Central Business District, is presently being substantially upgraded.

The Afrikaners have had a major influence in the area and it is mostly their language you will hear spoken in the streets. Polokwane was previously known as Pietersburg, and named after Voortrekkers hero General Piet Joubert, the town was the temporary capital of the old Transvaal Republic during the Anglo-Boer War. It is now a neat and thriving agricultural and commercial centre for the area.

There are two interesting museums in the centre of the city: one containing works of photographer Hugh Exton and the second, situated in a Victorian building known as the Irish House shows the cultural history of the region.

To the south of the city, in the vicinity of the football stadium, is the fine Pietersberg Golf Club which did have Retief Goosen as its professional before his success on the professional golf circuit.

Beyond the golf club is the Polokwane Nature Reserve, over 3,200 hectares of land which is inhabited by white rhino, giraffe, zebra, all the types of South African antelope and over 200 bird species.

The Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum (Tel: 015 295 2432) is a museum and living tribal village representing the Northern Sotho people and showing metal smelting and paintings dating back to 1,000 CE, is situated along the same road 9km from Polokwane on Route 37 to Chuniespoort.

The area is rich in agricultural produce being a fine cattle breeding region and offering a diverse range of crops: deciduous fruit, coffee, cotton and maize.

Polokwane is situated mid-way between the mid section of the Kruger Park, 150 kilometres to the east, and the game parks of the Waterberg Mountain range 100 kilometres to the south west. Both park areas are home to the "Big 5" animals - lions, elephants, Black rhinos, leopards and Cape buffaloes.

By taking a roundabout route the game parks could be visited en route from Pretoria to Polokwane and on the same journey visit Warmbaths with its healthy hot mineral springs and baths – ideal for a swim in winter; and the huge Makapans Cave, just east of Potgietersrus (Mokopane), scene of a 30 day siege by Afrikaners on the local Tlou tribe which left 1500 tribes people dead from starvation.

With large numbers of nature reserves and game parks in the region there is a plentiful supply of accommodation both in the city and surrounds, not so much of the 5 star international variety but offering more of a local African feel.

Tourist Offices

Civil Square (Tel: 015 290 2010)
Limpopo Tourism & Parks Board (Tel: 015 290 7300) Mandela and Church Street junction.

Getting There

Air

Polokwane Airport (Tel: 015 288 0122) is 5km north of town and has flights from Johannesburg.

Rail

The Bosvelder train service from Johannesburg (8 hours) to Musina (7 hours) near the Zimbabwe border passes through Polokwane daily.

Bus

There are services to Pretoria (3 hours, 30 mins), Johannesburg (4 hours, 30 mins).

There are also international services to Harare, Zimbabwe (12 hours) and Lusaka, Zambia (24 hours).

Getting Around

The minibus taxi park is on the corner of Devenish Street and President Kruger Street.

Map of Polokwane - see a scrollable map of Polokwane showing the location of the soccer stadium.

Security

The South African government are aware that public safety is a major issue and are determined to increase the quantity and proficiency of the police force over the next couple of years.

Car Hire

All the major car hire companies are well represented in all major cities and at the airports. Cheaper less exclusive local companies also offer vehicles for hire.

Rent A Car With Holiday Autos

Rent A Car With Sixt

Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Town Lodge - 2 Star Hotel
Holiday Inn Garden Court Hotel - 3 Star Hotel

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Eating

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Drinking

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Internet Cafes

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Football Teams

Winners Park play in all blue at the 15,000 capacity Seshego Stadium in Polokwane and are presently in the Mvela Golden League - the second tier of South African pro-soccer.

The South African professional soccer season runs from September to May. Polokwane's World Cup stadium is the 40,000 seat Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Weather

The climate is mild in winter and daytime temperatures should average around the mid 20 degrees Centigrade mark. Night times can be cold. No, or very little rain would be expected during the World Cup.

Kevin Wilyman