Polokwane Tourism Information

Quick Facts: Polokwane

• Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum in Polokwane- Pietersburg / Polokwane is located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
• As Limpopo's capital city, Pietersburg / Polokwane is a major urban centre in this region of South Africa
• Polokwane is the biggest and most important centre located north of Gauteng
• In 1886, the town of Pietersburg was established in honour of the Voortrekker leader Petrus Jacobus Joubert
• In 2005, the South African government changed the English name of the city from Pietersburg to the Northern Sotho name of Polokwane
• Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum in Polokwane: traditional and modern-day lifestyle of the Bakone people is demonstrated
• Eersteling Monuments: the site of South Africa's first gold crushing site
• Polokwane Bird and Reptile Park
• Polokwane Game Reserve
• Moletzie Bird Sanctuary in Pietersburg / Polokwane
• Modjardji Rainforest near Polokwane: home to the largest concentration of indigenous cycads in the world
• Cheune Crocodile Farm

Distance to Airport: 10 km

Distance to City: 2 km

Introducing Polokwane

The city of Pietersburg / Polokwane is located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.  Being the capital of the Limpopo Province,  Pietersburg / Polokwane is a major urban centre in this region of South Africa, the biggest and most important centre located north of Gauteng.  Pietersburg / Polokwane is home to more than 800 000 inhabitants.

History of Pietersburg / Polokwane in South Africa

In the 1840s, Voortrekkers under the leadership of Andries Potgieter established the town called Zoutpansbergdorp which was set 100 km to the north west.  After the termination of this town due to clashes with the local tribes, a new town was founded in 1886 which was given the name Pietersburg in honour of the Voortrekker leader Petrus Jacobus Joubert. This town officially became a city on April 23, 1992. 

In 2005, the South African government declared the official English name of the city to be the Northern Sotho name of Polokwane. Pietersburg / Polokwane was the site of the ANC national conference which saw Jacob Zuma take over as head of the party.

Museums, momuments and memorials in Pietersburg / Polokwane, Limpopo Province

The Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum in Polokwane showcases the traditional and modern-day lifestyle of the Bakone people. The museum is centered on a traditional village still occupied by members of the tribe, who sell various crafts to tourists.  Within the museum complex one can find archaeological sites with remains of the iron- and copper-smelting installations, as well as rock paintings which date back to around 1000 B.C.

The Eersteling Monuments in Pietersburg / Polokwane is the site of South Africa's first gold crushing site and its first gold power plant is marked by monuments.

Tourism in and around Pietersburg / Polokwane, South Africa

The city of Polokwane in the Limpopo Province of South Africa provides access to various nature and wildlife viewing opportunities.  The Polokwane Bird and Reptile Park is home to over 280 species of birds. The Polokwane Game Reserve which is located on the outskirts of the city is home to many South African species of wildlife, birdlife, and plants in an unspoiled bushveld environment. The Moletzie Bird Sanctuary in Pietersburg / Polokwane protects rare birds like the Cape Vulture. The Modjardji Rainforest near Polokwane features  the largest concentration of indigenous cycads in the world, while the Cheune Crocodile Farm provides a place to learn about the life of crocodiles.