Tzaneen
Close to the ground.
GPS: S 23 49.728 E 030 09.714 | pop. 50,000 | elevation 698 m/2,290 ft
Tzaneen is a sweaty city (even in the winter) with not a whole lot of sightseeing to do within the bustling city itself. But there is decent shopping (for Limpopo), a few places to catch a bite to eat and some good locations to stay overnight on your way through.
Tzaneen Museum
Tzaneen Museum displays weapons and artifacts from the region and has the largest collection of pole carvings in the country. There is also a collection of ancient pottery, which includes royal drums used by the Modjadji Rain Queen some 2,000 years ago.
Oasis Mall
Oasis Mall has a Spar, ABSA & Nedbank ATMs, a travel agent and Internet café.
Tzaneen Crossings Mall
Tzaneen Crossings Mall has clothing and department stores, a Shoprite and a Nedbank and FNB bank.
Tzaneen Mall
Tzaneen Mall has a Pick 'n Pay, Woolworths, Game, clothing stores, and a Nedbank ATM.
Satvik Backpackers
Satvik Backpackers is a rustic but tranquil backpackers just outside of town with campsites, a dorm, piping hot outdoor showers, and a few en suite chalets. It is located right on the dam where you can go fishing and there are a few paddleboats and a braai area on the edge of the water.
Silver Palms Lodge
Silver Palms Lodge has standard rooms with TV and AC surrounding a large pool. Several rooms have clear glass showers awkwardly placed right beside the TV and bed.
Fairview River Lodge
Fairview River Lodge is a 4-star resort with thatched roofed chalets decorated in a Afro-colonial style. The chalets are surrounded by tall trees overgrown with vines, and a 12-hole golf course (the final six holes were still under construction at the time of research). They offer both self-catering and fully equipped luxury chalets. There is a full bar and formal restaurant (mains R55-100) at the main lodge, with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking a banana plantation.
Downtown Restaurant
Downtown Restaurant is a quality restaurant and also happens to be one of the few non-hotel affiliated restaurants in town that is open in the evening. You can have your choice from a selection of pizza, pasta, seafood, salads and steak, while taking in views of the dam and gum tree plantations against a backdrop of the mountains.
Ashley's Continental Café
Ashley's Continental Café is a quiet café with outdoor seating in a well-manicured garden. It serves up a good English breakfast and has salads, gourmet sandwiches and full meals.
Tino's
Tino's is a restaurant that also does takeaway. It has salads, seafood, burgers, pies and good pizza and beer. They deliver in the city when they aren't too busy.