More ideas for your December holiday: Limpopo

The Limpopo province offers a diverse range of things for the whole family and for the boy in every man with 4×4 trails, hiking trails and many more.
See some of South Africa’s greatest history in these parts of the country.
Makapansgat Valley
Numerous caves in the Makapansgat valley hold fossils that date back to 3.3 million years before the present, linking directly to the history at the Cradle of Humankind and also displays an incredible diversity of life. 
This series of caves form a national monument and intentions are that it should soon become a World Heritage Site. 
Primates in the shape of baboons and vervet monkeys make this their playground, whilst bush babies or galagos come out at night to forage for food. 
Nowhere is the biodiversity of early times in such rich display as in the caves of the Makapansgat Valley. 
During a search of limestones in a mining operation in the 1920s, a large number of fossil bones were blown out of a particularly large cave in the area. 
It was not fully investigated until 1947, when it was confirmed that there were remains of Australopithecus africanus or early man.
The Modjadji Cycad Reserve
The 530 hectare Modjadji Nature Reserve, situated in the Bolobedu district of Lebowa, north-east of Duiwelskloof, contains one of the most fascinating populations of plant life seen in South Africa. 
Once the main diet of the prehistoric mammal-like reptiles that lived here, the Modjadji cycad forms a unique natural forest which can be viewed in its prehistoric state thanks to its strict protection by succeeding generations of Modjadji (‘rain queens’).
The lands of the Modjadji tribe, a matriarchal society that has produced five rain queens (only women are allowed to enter the village), surround the reserve. 
It is here in the Modjadji Nature Reserve that visitors can view the largest concentration of a single cycad species in the world. These protected plant species not only grow in profusion in the area, but are giants in the genus of 29 species.
December to February sees many of these strange plants in seed, with a superb setting. 
Rhino Museum
As a testament to its emphasis on eco-tourism and conservation, the Waterbergboasts Africa’s only Rhino Museum, devoted entirely to the conservation of rhinoceroses. 
The species, that has roamed Planet Earth for more than 30 million years has been brought to the brink of extinction in less than 30 years. 
The Rhino Museum highlights the evolutionary history, habitats and landscapes, the rhino wars, illegal trade and use of rhino horn and conservation efforts to preserve rhinos. 
Considering that both black and white rhinos almost became extinct, that there are only four major populations of rhino surviving in Africa today (Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa).
South Africa has the highest population of both species and a visit to this museum is certainly worthwhile. 
The objective of the Rhino Museum is to make as many people as possible aware of what has befallen the species, what we are trying to do about it, and why it is important to ensure that rhinoceroses do not become extinct.
Baobabs
The giant Baobab trees grow mainly in the hot, semi-arid areas north of the Soutpansberg mountain. 
Legend has it that in a frivolous mood, the gods planted Baobabs upside down with their roots exposed to the sky. 
The baobab tree is one of the trees in Africa with the longest life span. 
The average age of the Baobabs found in the northern parts of Limpopo are between 300 and 500 years old. 
Near Sagole, a rural village in the north east of the province, a baobab specimen can be visited that is 3,000 years old and measures 43 metres in perimeter at base. 
Baobabs are among the most useful plants to both animals and humans. 
Limpopo Hiking Trails
Limpopo has many geological sites, some of which are caves containing ancient rock arts. 
It also has an abundance of game reserves which offer awesome hiking trails through this exquisite land. 
Limpopo offers some of the most awesome wilderness hiking trails in the world. 
The Blouberg and the Wolkberg region are wild and practically untouched. 
Hikers are given the awesome opportunity to explore these spectacular mountain regions and deep, sometimes uncharted caves. 
The Magoebaskloof area boasts magnificent mountain scenery with tumbling waterfalls, isolated rock pools and lush indigenous forests. 
The trail offers several options from 2 to 5 days in duration. 
Trail huts along the route are in old forestry buildings or modern purpose-built wooden chalets. 
4×4 Trails in Limpopo
The Mabote River Camp near Mokopane offers an adrenaline pumping 4×4 trail in four parts, winding though the beautiful rocky sandstone formations in the Waterberg. 
This is where fish eagles call and black eagles nest. 
There are escape routes over some of the challenging sections, making this a versatile option for all skill levels. 
Cool down after the drive in the rock pools at the shimmering waterfalls or enjoy game drives on a nearby farm. 
The difficulty of this South African 4×4 trail is graded as 3 and it should take you approximately 3 hours to complete. 
Enjoy camping or sleeping in self-catering chalets and chat about your day’s 4×4 adventures with friends and family around the campfire. 
This trail is designed to enable any 4×4 enthusiast to experience the pleasure of four wheel driving in conditions that will satisfy both the first timer and the experienced driver.