Northern Province

The Northern Province lies within the great elbow of the Limpopo River, and is a province of dramatic contrasts – from true Bushveld country to majestic mountains, primeval indigenous forests, latter-day plantations, unspoilt wilderness areas and a patchwork of farming land.

The Northern Province is the gateway to the rest of Africa. It is favorably situated for economic co-operation with other parts of southern Africa as it shares borders with Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Pietersburg is the capital city and lies strategically in the center of the province. The Gateway International Airport at Pietersburg was opened in March 1996 and is being developed as a major economic growth project to be a gateway to the rest of the continent.

The Great North Road through the center of the province strings together a series of interesting towns.

Warmbaths, with its popular mineral spa, is near the southern border of the province. Then, going north, follow Nylstroom with its table grape industry and beautiful Waterberg range; Potgietersrus; Pietersburg; Louis Trichardt, at the foot of the Soutpansberg Mountain range, and Messina, with its thick-set baobab trees.

The crossing into Zimbabwe is at Beit Bridge, where the South African section of this important route north into Africa ends.

Other important Northern Province towns include the major mining centers of Phalaborwa and Thabazimbi, and Tzaneen, producer of tea, forestry products and tropical fruits.

A new major road route will be the Maputo Corridor which will link the province directly with the Mozambique port, creating development and trade opportunities, particularly in the south-eastern part of the province. The province’s link with Maputo has been declared a "main" corridor.

The biggest section of the Kruger National Park is situated along the eastern boundary of Northern Province, with Mozambique.