Madi a Thavha, meaning Water from the mountain in Venda, is located next to a mountain stream in a hidden valley of the Soutpansberg mountain range in Northern Limpopo.
Madi a Thavha Mountain Lodge is a 4 star graded and Fair Trade certified luxury lodge situated 10 km west of Louis Trichardt/Makhado only 5 hours drive away from Johannesburg.
At our lodge we live and breathe local culture. The region forms the backdrop of the talented and creative Venda, Tsonga and Northern Sotho people. Their rich cultural legacy, mythical background, spiritual beliefs, legends and rituals are firmly rooted in their culture and traditions and are clearly visible in the unique interpretations of their art. The artists and crafters are renowned for their woodcarving, pottery and textiles. This part of the country is also famous for its big game, bio-diversity, archaeological importance and spectacular Baobab-sunsets!
Madi a Thavha is perfectly located in the middle of all these wonders. We organize visits to artists and crafters work places in the rural villages. Here you can meet with traditional dancers, singers, musicians, story-tellers and traditional healers. At the same time you see some of the plenty natural assets of the Soutpansberg and Limpopo valley.
Our philosophy is to build long-lasting relationships with our staff, artists, crafters and local communities. A supportive local network connects us to small businesses and community development projects focussing on CraftArt, social development and education. This approach enables us to arrange unique experiences for our guests.
The lodge is a popular stop-over for a night or two when travelling to the Kruger National Park, the world heritage site of Mapungubwe, the bush camps of Tuli block in Botswana or the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Our stylish guest rooms and suites have a unique local flavour and we have traditional, modern and functional art exhibited all over the lodge and gardens. Our Arts & Culture centre tells the story of how various cultural influences shaped the region. The CraftArt-shop stocks hand-picked local products and soft furnishings made in our Textile & Design studio at the lodge, all well worth a visit.
The accommodation consists of suites with self-catering facilities and guest rooms. Our well informed staff receives guests in the farm house which has a cozy lounge with fireplace, a dining room with open plan kitchen and friendly chefs serving delicious fusion-food.
Our refreshing solar-heated swimming pool and lapa with sweeping views on the surrounding mountains and cliffs are a popular relaxing area for our guests.
Madi a Thavha offers a range of activities for adults and families with children either in the comfort of the lodge, in nature or on tour in villages. The majority of our guests prefer to keep two to three days aside to explore the area on one of our guided CraftArt, cultural or nature day tours , or to explore the area on their own.
Birders can try to tick the Vhembe/Soutpansberg big five birds too. The African Broadbill and the Crested Guinea fowl, can be seen in our region and in relative close proximity to our lodge.
For energetic guests we have bicycles or circular hiking-routes at the lodge and at surrounding farms and we can arrange additional excursions on request. We also offer conference/workshop facilities for small groups in the inspiring ambience of our Arts and Culture Centre and from time to time we present interesting workshops ourselves.
Accommodation at Madi a Thavha Mountain Lodge:
Our guests are normally excited about our lodges interiors and gardens with its distinct local flavour. Art and sculptures are found around every nook and corner and soft furnishings are made in our own Design and sewing studio.
Our Guest suites are equipped to be fully self-catering with guest rooms having coffee and tea facilities. Apart from the extra beds in the suites we can comfortably accommodate 18 people in 9 separate units at our lodge.
The Nandoni room is accessible for individuals with disabilities and our interconnected paved pathways makes wheelchair navigation easy around the lodge.
A gum-pole playground close to the pool always interests adventurous children. We also have baby beds available on request.
Madi a Thavha offers the following types of accommodation - 3 Guest Suites and 5 Guest Rooms with the following facilities:
Guest rooms
All guest rooms have fans, heaters, hairdryers, coffee and tea facilities, extra blankets, mosquito nets and we offer a laundry service.
Phipidi room
With twin beds, bathroom, living area and veranda. This room is adjacent to the farm house, swimming pool and lapa and has a mountain view, television and Wi-Fi.
Sagole room
With queen size bed, bathroom and veranda. This room is adjacent to the farm house, swimming pool and lapa and has a mountain view, television and Wi-Fi.
Luvhuvu room
With twin beds, open bathroom, living area and outside terrace under the trees. Small kitchenette with microwave and fridge. Television and Wi-Fi.
Albasini room
With twin beds, living area, and open bedroom with bathroom, veranda with braai and mountain view. Television and Wi-Fi.
Nandoni room
With twin beds, bathroom and living area, veranda. Accessible for disabled people. Television and Wi-Fi.
Suites self-catering
All suites are self-catering, with fully equipped kitchens including a fridge, stove, oven and microwave. Fans, heaters, hairdryers, coffee and tea facilities and extra blankets, mosquito nets in all suites, some with braai facilities. Laundry service is available.
Limpopo suite
Self-catering suite, 2 bedrooms (twin beds) with bathrooms en-suite; one room has a bath and shower, the other only a shower. Open living and dining area with 5th bed, television and WiFi. Large kitchen, spacious veranda with dining and braai facilities and mountain view.
Fundudzi suite
Self-catering suite with one bedroom (twin beds) and bathroom, extra toilet, kitchen, large lounge and dining area, 2 extra beds in the lounge, balcony with mountain view, braai, television and Wi-Fi.
Nwanedi suite
Self-catering suite with one bedroom (twin beds) and bathroom with bath and shower, extra bed in lounge, large lounge and dining area with kitchen, veranda with mountain view, television and Wi-Fi.
Madi a Thavha offers a range of activities for adults and families with children either in the comfort of the lodge, in nature or on tour in villages. We have seasoned and knowledgeable tour guides handling our CraftArt, Communities Lifestyles or Nature tours. Energetic guests can use our thick-wheel bicycles or do hiking-routes at the lodge. We can also put together various tailor-made cycle, birding or hiking excursions in the close vicinity, on request.
Single room with double bed for 2 adults
From Polokwane (Pietersburg):
- Take the N1 to Louis Trichardt (Makhado). At the first four way stop in Makhado, turn left onto the R 522 to Vivo, follow this road for about 8,5 kilometres.
- You will drive uphill and then down again, and you will pass an airstrip sign. Just after the 100 km sign, you will see a brown tourism sign indicating Madi a Thavha.
- Here you turn right onto an untarred road. Follow the untarred road for about 2,5 kilometres and keep following the signs to Madi a Thavha Mountain Lodge, plot 17. Madi a Thavha is located 390 km from Pretoria.
Transfers available upon request.
