African Ivory Route

Baobab tree, Limpopo

© South African Tourism

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Thousands of years ago, elephant migratory routes criss-crossed the paths of ivory, gold and slave merchants in the northernmost parts of South Africa.

This wild land, bordering Botswana, Zimbabwe and the northern reaches of the Kruger National Park, is a land of prehistoric secrets and rich archaeological sites that offer Stone Age and Iron Age relics.

Named by legendary hunters who stalked the herds once common here, the Ivory Route in South Africa has been brought back to life with a new spirit.

The Ivory tourist route arcs through 54 nature reserves, mountains and across sandveld plains, and includes the legendary rediscovered trading civilization of Mapungubwe, nearly a thousand years old.

The Ivory Route of South Africa is a place where elephants are granted right of way and the gargantuan ‘upside down' trees stand sentinel over mystical and outlandish landscapes. This is where an ancient Rain Queen's spirit guards exotic, sacred forests of 800-year-old cycads.

Every effort is being made to keep or return the Ivory Route to a wild state. Simple 4x4 tracks wind past thorn trees and baobabs to connect traditional villages with luxurious tented safari camps.

The Ivory Route in South Africa also links to the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Project. There's a wild dream that one day wildlife will be able to follow the old migratory routes right across the frontiers between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

You could take advantage of a number of organized tours, but there's also the option of a self-drive package. Experienced guides are available at many of the camps.

This is such a large slab of South Africa that it offers the opportunity to tailor-make a journey, focusing on archaeology, history, culture, birding or wildlife.

And there's something new behind each giant baobab.