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South Africa » Rixile Bush to Beach Route

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Rixile Bush to Beach Route

One of the boldest and most exciting cross-border initiatives currently unfolding in Southern Africa is the development of transfrontier parks and transfrontier conservation areas. At the forefront is the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a total area of 35 000km², which brings together some of the best and most established wildlife areas on the subcontinent. The opening of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and a new border post at Giriyondo in the Kruger National Park, stimulated the idea to develop another Rixile Route. Rixile, meaning dawn of the day, has been used as a brand for three exiting tourism routes in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The latest of these, the Bush to Beach Route, links South Africa to Mozambique through a unique experience in the newly proclaimed transfrontier conservation area.

The route starts at Phalaborwa, and leads through the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, to the towns of Massingir, Chókwe and Xai-Xai, before heading north to the tourism centres of Inhambane and Vilankulo. A new concept in tourism, the bush to beach experience provides travellers with the opportunity to have the best of both worlds. You can spend a few days in one of Southern Africa’s most renowned game parks, before reaching the pristine beaches of Mozambique, which offer activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, angling and whale-watching.

 

Useful Links

http://www.phalaborwa.co.za
http://www.krugerpark.co.za
http://www.limpopotourism.org.za
http://www.palabora.co.za
http://www.mozambique.mz
http://www.mozambiquetourism.co.za
http://www.peaceparks.org
http://www.dolimpopo.com
http://www.limpopopn.gov.mz/index_en.asp
http://www.vilankulo.com

Suggested Reading List

A History of Mozambique. M. Newitt. 1995. C. Hurst & Co. Publishers. ISBN 185065171X

Lonely Planet Mozambique. M. Fitzpatrick. 2007.  Lonely Planet Publications. ISBN 9781740591881

A Complicated War: The Harrowing of Mozambique. W. Finnegan. 1993. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520082663

Culture and Customs of Mozambique. G.O.  Ndege. 2006.  Greenwood Press. ISBN 9780313331633

Mozambique, 4th: The Bradt Travel Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. P. Briggs. 2007.  ISBN 9781841621777

Nearby routes

Hlanganani Route

The Hlanganani route is situated in the northernmost part of South Africa, in Limpopo (previously known as Northern Province), on the north-west border of one of Africa’s finest parks, the Kruger National Park.

Kamoka Route

The region in which this route is located is known as the Cultural Heartland, which is one of the seven registered tourism regions of Mpumalanga province. The general route area is located about 100km north-east of Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city situated in Gauteng, which is the smallest but richest province in the country.

Kruger to Canyons Route

Located in the Kruger to Canyon Biosphere, this route includes the towns of Graskop, Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa. It aims to contribute to the conservation of the biosphere.

Land of Legend Route

The Land of Legend Route, true to its name, offers a platform to explore sacred lands, rippling rivers and awe-inspiring nature sites. Based in Thohoyandou, it is within close range of the Kruger National Park, but deserves more than a stop-over.

Ribolla Open Africa Route

The route, named after the uniquely shaped mountain in the Makhado District, showcases the artistic talents of many of its inhabitants, as well as dancers, storytellers, gardeners and singers.

Rixile Culture to Kruger Route

The route, situated in the Limpopo province of South Africa, meanders between the small town of Giyani and Phalaborwa, the only town with a gate into the Kruger National Park.

Route of Lost Kingdoms

Follow a trail of myths and legends from the ancient stone wall site of Thulamela to the Mapungubwe World Heritage site in Limpopo Province.

Seraki Blouberg Route

This route lies at the foothills of the Blouberg Mountain in Limpopo and offers an experience that can only be found in Africa. A range of projects with authentic arts and crafts, as well as accommodation in a pristine setting can be found. Vistors can go on adventurous hikes, see cultural and natural heritage and interact with 'real' people.

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Sub-routes

Due to the size of this route, it is split up into further sub-routes. Please click on a sub-route below to navigate further.

  • Phalaborwa Route
  • The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park Route
  • Massingir Route
  • Chokwé Route
  • Bilene, Xai-Xai and Chidenguele Route
  • Inhambane Route
  • Vilankulo Route

Accommodation

African Lily Lodge | African Lily Lodge offers comfortable accommodation in Phalaborwa.
Aquatico Ocean Lodge - Tofo | Aquatico Lodge is located 2.5km from Tofo village. Guests are accommodated in A-frame, thatched, self-catering cottages. Each cottage sleeps four people on two levels.
Arimagham Guesthouse | At this guesthouse, all rooms have been individually decorated and have en-suite bathrooms, television and air-conditioning.
Arti-farti Backpackers | Arti-Farti Backpackers offer laid back affordable accommodation in the heart of the Bushveld.
Baobab Beach | Baobab Beach caters for travellers who want to spend an affordable holiday in a tropical paradise like Mozambique.
Basambilu | This facility offers accommodation facilities, as well as a bar/restaurant, lapa and a swimming pool.
Bed in the Bush | Bed in the Bush is a four-star facility that offers lovely accommodation in spectacular surroundings.
Bel - Himoye Cultural Centre | This centre serves as a venue for traditional song and dance groups to perform and they also serve traditional African food in addition to curios, and arts and crafts that are sold.
Boikhutsong Guesthouse | Boikhutsong offers comfortable, fully equipped rooms with meals available on request. Guests can also buy arts and crafts and local curios at the guesthouse.
Bothabelo B&B | Bothabelo B&B offers luxurious and peaceful accomoodation only 3km from the Kruger National Park.
Campiso de Aguia Pesqueira | This camp offers ten very neat individual camping sites, all with views of the Massingir Dam.
Casa Guci | The German owned and managed holiday resort Casa Guci lies on the outskirts of Vilanculos, approximately 750km north of Maputo.
Casa Rex | Casa Rex overlooks the Bazaruto Archipelago and offers accommodation and an a la carte restaurant.
Chongoene Lodge | This lodge is tucked away in the bushes behind the beach and is thus isolated from the busy beachfront.
Coconut Bay Resort | Coconut Bay offers a range of accommodation and a restaurant that serves all meals.
Complexo Palmeiras | Palmeiras is particularly popular with water sports enthusiasts, such as jet-ski's, water-skiing and parasailing.
Complexo Praia de Sol | Established ten years ago, Praia do Sol Beach Resort has grown from six tents to a resort catering for 45 guests.
Covane Community Lodge | This lodge offers one chalet with a double and two single beds, two traditional houses with two single beds and five camp sites. All units are self catering.
Daan and Zena’s B&B and Self-Catering | Daan and Zéna’s B&B, one of the oldest, funkiest and definitely thé most colourful B&B accommodation establishments in Phalaborwa.
Elegance Guesthouse | A lovely guesthouse in Phalaborwa.
Elephant Walk Accommodation and Tours | Elephant Walk is a very popular B&B and backpackers visited by guests from all over the world. It is only two minutes away from the entrance gate to the Kruger National Park at Phalaborwa.
Forever Resorts - Impala Inn | This hotel is situated only three minutes from the Hans Merensky Country Club, one of Africa's unique golf courses, where a variety of wildlife can be seen during your 18-hole game.
Hans Merensky Hotel and Spa | Hans Merensky Hotel and Golf Estate is set in the Limpopo Province Bushveld and offers travellers, golfers and wildlife enthusiasts a unique African experience.
Island Rock Resort | The resort offers accommodation in casitas equipped with a small kitchen, but no electricity, stove, fridge, linen, or tables and chairs.
Jangamo Beach Resort | Jangamo Bay offers two bedrooms, four and six bed cabanas, eight and ten bed villas as well as camping barakas.
Kaia Tani | Kaia Tani Guesthouse is situated in the heart of Phalaborwa. Lush gardens with abundant birdlife surround this African themed guesthouse.
La Lechere Guesthouse | La Lechere Guesthouse offers a luxury and peaceful haven situated only 5km from the Kruger National Park. This 4-star guesthouse breathes a contemporary African ambience and offers the perfect bush experience.
Laguna Camp | This camp, consisting of bungalows, a campsite and a restaurant, is situated on the dunes overlooking the lagoon.
Lake View Resort | Lake View Resort is located 7km beyond from the Chidenguele Village and offers a spectacular sea view.
Lantana Lodge | At Lantana Lodge, in the heart of Phalaborwa, the owners, Willie and Salome Williams together with their friendly staff, pride themselves on the personal attention given to visitors to ensure that they will leave as friends with fond memories of a pleasan
Loerie Lodge Corporate Guesthouse | Loerie Lodge is situated on a double property and consists of two types of accommodation. The mixture gives you the choice of several combinations and all are air-conditioned en-suite with colour televisions, M-Net and DSTV.
Machampane Wilderness Trails Camp | Machampane Wilderness Camp is nestled on the banks of the Machampane River.
Masorini Bush Lodge | This lodge offers either self-catering A-frames with en-suite bathroom and a large patio with kitchenette, and braai facility (barbeque), or lodge chalets with en-suite bathroom and private patio.
Montego Bay Campsite | Montego Bay is a rustic campsite with reed chalets and a terraced campsite under the shade of milkwood trees.
Mufasa Lodge | This lodge offers thatched chalet self-catering or bed and breakfast accommodation. All accommodation units are en-suite and towels and linen are provided.
N'kwazi Lodge | N'Kwazi Lodge offers a setting that blends the graciousness, elegance and vast spaces of Mozambique with all the modern amenities you need.
Nhafudo II | Accommodation with conference facilities and a swimming pool.
Nhambavale Lodge | Nhambavale Lodge offers fully serviced and fully catered 'Machop' style, double- and single-bed chalets.
One Stop Lapa | One Stop Lapa has been operational since 2007 and offers overnight facilities in eight double rooms.
Palmeiras Lodge | Palmeiras is a self-catering lodge with boma and fully fitted kitchen.
Paraiso de Chidenguele | Paraiso de Chidenguele offers self-catering, thatched chalets with timber decks. Each chalet sleeps four, six or eight people.
Phalaborwa Country Manor | This prestigious Manor is ideally situated in the centre of Phalaborwa also known as 'The Town of Two Summers' 3km from the airport and the Kruger National Park gate.
Ponsada de Chokwè | A restaurant, bar and accommodation facility in Mozambique.
Raintree Cottage | Raintree Cottage has eight bedrooms, individually and tastefully decorated in Victorian interiors, with private entrances from the veranda.
Royal Game Guesthouse | This guesthouse has been awarded a gold accreditation by SATOUR. They were also awarded a four star grading from the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa in November 2003.
Sammy Mchabe Tour Guiding | Sammy is a trained tour guide that take visitors on cultural tours of the area.
Sefapane Lodge and Safaris | Located only 1km from the Kruger National Park in Phalaborwa, Sefapane Lodge & Safaris offers tourists a luxury base from which to explore the famous game park and all the highlights of the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces.
Shona-Langa Resort | Shona-Langa Resort is situated on the banks of the Olifants River where a variety of game can be sighted. Sightings can range from elephant, leopard, lion, hippo, crocodile, giraffe, buffalo, impala and waterbuck, to mention but a few.
Smugglers | Smugglers is situated in Vilanculos and offers comfortable, clean mid-range accommodation in a refreshing oasis of palm trees and lush gardens.
Sunbird Lodge | A lovely lodge in Phalaborwa offering comfortable accommodation.
Tambotie Guesthouse | Tambotie Guesthouse consists of two spacious double rooms with private bathrooms, air-conditioning and televisions in each room.
Uncle Tom’s Guesthouse | Uncle Tom's provides safe parking and a lock up gate and also have a swimming pool and braai (BBQ) facilities.
Vilanculos Beach Lodge | Vilanculos Beach Lodge provides accommodation for up to 39 guests in eleven chalets.
Xai-Xai Beach Resort | This resort offers accommodation for the Holiday Club, but is currently building extra accommodation that they plan to open to the public.
Xai-Xai Caravan Park | This campsite is situated under shady milkwood trees with views of the long white beach, protected by a reef.

Activity and Adventure

Africa Unlimited Tours cc | Africa Unlimited’s expeditions, safaris and tours are for travellers who want to experience true African bush, beach and wildlife.
Big Blue | Big Blue is the largest mainland charter company in Vilanculos and the preferred operator for trips to the Bazaruto Archipelago.
Dolphin Dhow Safaris / Taxi | Dolphin Dhow Safaris caters for the special needs of tourists with custom made trips.
Jumbo River Safaris | A houseboat like this is ideal for game-viewing as the game concentrates on the river bank to come and drink water.
Mozambique Horse Safari | Mozambique Horse Safari specializes in custom-made horse safaris and day rides along the Vilanculos coast in Mozambique.
My African Dream Safari Tours and Adventures | My African Dream Safari is a tour operator operating from the Kruger Park Gateway Airport.
Pavilion Tomar | Pavillion Tomar is a locally owned disco with restaurant facilities.
Sailaway Dhow Safaris | Sailaway have provided dhow sailing safaris to the Bazaruto Archipelago since 1997. Their knowledge of the area will ensure that you benefit from the very best experience during your safari.
Select-A-Safari | Select-a-Safari specialises in river safaris on the Olifants River that consist of a three hour trip where many types of wildlife can be seen, including the “Big 5”.
Tofo Scuba | It is the stated objective of the staff and management of Tofo Scuba to provide to their customers the highest standard of quality and service as it relates to scuba diving and scuba diver training.
Tsonga Open-Air Museum | The Tsonga Open-Air Museum, as it is today, is an attempt to show as many of the traditional building styles of the North Tsonga as possible.

Food & Beverage

Amarula Lapa | Amarula Lapa is accredited as a five star establishment by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. In addition to tasting Amarula Cream, they offer food products, beverages and tobacco products.
Bar Ponto Final | This local bar serves beers, cold drinks, water and wine.
Complex Paraiso Chissano | This club specializes in local music and serves soft drinks and alcohol.
Dino's Beach Bar | Dino's is a beach/sunset bar and restaurant that plays music and serves good local cuisine.
Dona Soraya | Dona Soraya is a restaurant that can accommodate up to 200 people.
M3 Bar | M3 Bar is a restaurant and bar with occasional live music. They specialize in international, local and Italian cuisine.
Restaurante Kapulana | This restaurant has a bar with television and seats approximately sixty people.
Snack Bar Flor | Snack Bar Flor serves cold drinks, wine, beer and other basic goods in a quiet garden setting.
Tre Jacare Restaurant | Tre Jacare serves meals and also has a bar and disco attached.

Arts & Crafts

Afrikania Pottery | Afrikania is a pottery business based in Phalaborwa.
Chivirikani African Experience | Chivirikani is a community owned project that specialises in the manufacturing of grass handbags, notebook covers and lamps. They also do beadwork and sewing.
Local Curios | Nansi sells his curios in front of Complexo Halley in Praia do Xai-Xai. Curios range from tables to jewellery.
Mmutle and Culture | Petrus makes a variety of animals and other items such as bowls and walking sticks.
Njombo Community Project | The Njombo Community Project started off with fifteen unemployed women that do sewing and embroidery.

Tourism and Environment

Jan-Maak-`n-Plan - Local Tours and Curios | Jan offers local tours of Xai-Xai, pointing out the interest points and local shops and restaurants.
Palabora Foundation | The foundation is the sustainable development arm of Palabora Mining Company and it’s corporate social investment programmes are directly aligned with the core business of the mine.
Tourism Information Office | A local tourism information office.

Services

Bollanoto Tourism Centre | This centre is able to provide tourists with information on a range of activities in and around Phalaborwa.
Leka Gape Shelter/Organisation | As a non-profit organisation, Leka Gape mostly cares about socially disadvantaged people in one of the poorest regions of South Africa.
Namakgale Tourism Information Centre and Tour Operator cc | The aim of this business is to promote Ba-phalaborwa and Giyani areas, specifically focussing in on local culture.
Sure Turn Key Travel | A company that offers a wide range of travel solutions.
Turn Key Tours | Turn Key Travel is located at the Kruger Park Gateway Airport and offers a wide range of services.

Full printable contact list

Contact

Do you have any queries about this route? Please contact us using the details below.

Rosa-Leigh Kruger

  • Tel: +27 15 781 3620
  • Email:

Enquire about this route by using the contact form below:



Photos

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Verbatim

SA has 22500 species of plants, more than the two biggest nations on Earth combined; 40% more than the USA (which is seven times the size of SA); and the Cape Peninsula alone has more species of plants than the whole of Europe.

– See South Africa

– James Clarke, journalist

Did You Know?

The Augrabies Falls are 191m high – the sixth-highest waterfall in the world.

– See Kalahari Oasis Route

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