BREATHTAKING GAME RESERVE 

In the north of South Africa's Limpopo Province and where two huge rivers meet, lies an ancient land with a fascinating past. It is a place of endless open spaces and wondrous wildlife, a place that stirs the imagination and always asks you to return. This is where a game reserve lies of approximately 2500 Hectares (including the riverine frontage) with the approve rights to 53 by 1.1 hectare river frontage stands and three resort stands. Situated on the Limpopo River opposite the Tuli of Botswana. Approximately 500 kilometer from Johannesburg and 440 kilometer from Pretoria and to fly from Wonderboom, takes one hour and 15 minutes.This is a 2500 ha reserve that is separated from Botswana's Tuli Block only by the Limpopo river. It is home to large herds of the Tuli elephants, great herds of antelope and a variety of predators, including Africa's big cats - the lion, leopard and cheetah. It has some 370 bird species, magnificent old and massive trees, huge skies and dramatic vistas.

It is an unpolluted land where the silence drums in your ears, telling you that this is wild Africa.Huge sausage pods and mopane trees on the banks of the Mogalakwena river close to its confluence with the mighty Limpopo form the shady backdrop of Bivack's Hippo camp.Hippo camp is a 4-star bush lodge that sleeps 16 people in luxury. The chalets surround the mopane-seed shaped pool. An extensive wooden deck leads to the bar and lounge (with satelite television) and then on to a separate jacuzzi deck. There is a well-equipped kitchen and dining area where Hippo's chef prepares sumptuous bush meals.Access to the reserve is through a code-operated sliding gate. The reserve is not bordered by any roads. The property has 14 kilometer of river frontage from the Limpopo and Mogalakwena rivers. There is no crime or land claims in the area and no crossings take place from Botswana's Tuli Block.The reserve has the approved rights to rezone 53 stands of 1.1 hectare on the river banks of the Limpopo and Mogalakwena rivers. Apart from the Hippo camp, two more resort stands have also been approved, also on the river banks.

The reserve is self sustained by income generated from the camp which enjoys a four star graded status by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, income from Africa Nature Training, who specialises in training for field guides (rangers) and income from game capturing.The reserve borders the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Park which will include Botswana's Northern Tuli Game Reserve. Part of this park is Mapungubwe National Park, which is one of the youngest in the SANParks portfolio and was officially opened in 2004.The Mapungubwe cultural landscape in the park was declared a World Heritage site in 2003.There is Mapungubwe hill, an ancient chunk of ochre sandstone with sheer cliffs battered by history. Mapungubwe was occupied for less than a century, from around AD1220 to AD1290. The attraction of gold, as well as ivory, rhino horn and animal hides led to the creation of a increasingly extensive trading network with Arab merchants plying the east coast of Africa.

Below Mapungubwe's southern terrace you can almost taste the tang of history. It's easy to imagine the whistles of the goatherds further down the valley, the acrid smoke of the smelting fires, the menace of the armed soldiers guarding the pathway leading to the summit. The royal citadel was easily defended from would-be intruders. A narrow cleft in the southern face, presided over by an ancient rock fig, provides the only access to the plateau. Today, a pathway with 146 concrete and wooden steps leads to the top. The Mapungubwe summit of today is a barren, abandoned place. But there is a lot to be learnt from what the royals left behind. Stone cairns mark where some of the 23 graves discovered here were located. Most people are convinced that there was a king of Mapungubwe and that his remains are buried close by, but nobody knows where. And will the secrets of Mapungubwe ever be revealed?

It seems unlikely. (Information on Mapungubwe was extracted from "wild" magazine, Summer 2007)The development becomes even more viable when one considers factors such as:*the surrounding area has been earmarked as South Africa's new premier conservation hotspot, where wild dogs, lion, elephants and cheetah will once again roam freely across the borders, it is located in a low malaria risk area, architectural and estate property guidelines; movable assets which include a game viewing vehicle, four by four tractor, quad bike, trailers, workshop equipment (an asset register is available) existing liquor license, water rights, trade mark, website, newsletters; the possibility of selling shares; estimated value of 53 stands to be over R60 000 000.00 alone! - thus an excellent investment.Contact Anika on 082 560 3241 for more information.