Letsitele

Letsitele is a small farming town in the Greater Tzaneen area of Limpopo's Mopani District, set in the Letsitele Valley along the Letsitele River, a tributary of the Letaba. The valley is one of South Africa's major citrus areas, with around 60 citrus farms, and also produces mangoes, avocados, bananas, litchis, tomatoes and macadamias. It is a quiet stop on the route from Tzaneen towards Gravelotte, Phalaborwa and the Kruger National Park.

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History

The town takes its name from the Letsitele River, whose name is usually translated from Northern Sotho as 'valley of the dead', a reference to the malaria that made the valley deadly until the 1930s. Malaria-control work based at the research station in Tzaneen (later the Siegfried Annecke Research Institute) opened the valley up to farming. The first Crown Grant in the area went to settler E.T. Elliot in the early 1900s on the farm Eiland, and the valley grew into one of the country's leading citrus-export districts.

Getting there

From Tzaneen take the R71 east for about 24 km to the R529 junction, then turn south onto the R529 into Letsitele (roughly 25-30 km in total). From Polokwane it is about 110 km via the R71 over Magoebaskloof and through Tzaneen. From Phalaborwa it is about 75 km west along the R71 past Gravelotte. The R529 also links Letsitele north to Giyani.

Weather & climate

Hot, subtropical Lowveld climate with summer rainfall (mainly November to March) and warm, dry winters. Summers are very hot and humid; winters are mild and sunny. Citrus blossom scents the valley in spring.

Things to do

Hans Merensky Nature ReserveA 5,000 ha reserve on the Great Letaba River, proclaimed in the 1950s, with walking trails, game viewing and close to 300 recorded bird species. Much of it can be explored on foot.
Kaross Studio VisitVisit the studio where Kaross embroiderers' work is finished and sold, and have something at the cafe. The embroidery shows scenes from local life in bright, detailed stitching. kaross.co.za
Letaba River Boat Cruises at Letaba JunctionBoat cruises on the Letaba River are booked through Letaba Junction Lodge, where hippos and crocodiles are often seen from the riverbank. letabajunction.co.za
Waterbuck Nature TrailWalking trail in a provincial nature reserve in Lowveld woodland, listed as Letsitele's local hiking option.

Things to see

Letsitele Citrus ValleyDrive through one of South Africa's main citrus-growing valleys, with orchards of oranges, grapefruit and lemons as well as mango, avocado and macadamia farms.
Tsonga Kraal Open-Air Museum (Muti wa VaTsonga)A full-size reconstruction of a traditional Tsonga homestead, with an indoor museum covering Tsonga history, language, art and music. Allow about an hour. explore.golimpopo.com/listing/muti-wa-vatsonga-open-air-museum