Pontdrif is a border crossing between South Africa and Botswana [1] on the Limpopo River in Limpopo. The borderpost is situated just west of Mapungubwe National Park.
The crossing is impassable to vehicles when the Limpopo is in flood; an open steel cage cable car carries pedestrians across the river for a fee of R30 or P30 (May 2014).
South Africa | Botswana | |
---|---|---|
Region | Limpopo | Tuli |
Nearest town | Alldays | |
Road | R572 | |
GPS Coordinates | 22°13′01″S29°08′23″E / 22.21697°S 29.13966°E | 22°12′51″S29°08′18″E / 22.2141°S 29.1383°E |
Telephone number | +27 (0) 15 575 1056 | |
Fax number | +27 (0) 15 575 1047 | |
Business hours | 08:00 - 16:00 | 08:00 - 16:00 |
The Limpopo River rises in South Africa and flows generally eastward through Mozambique to the Indian Ocean. The term Limpopo is derived from Rivombo (Livombo/Lebombo), a group of Tsonga settlers led by Hosi Rivombo who settled in the mountainous vicinity and named the area after their leader. The river is approximately 1,750 kilometres (1,087 mi) long, with a drainage basin 415,000 square kilometres (160,200 sq mi) in size. The mean discharge measured over a year is 170 m3 per second at its mouth. The Limpopo is the second largest river in Africa that drains to the Indian Ocean, after the Zambezi River.
South Africa occupies the southern tip of Africa, its coastline stretching more than 2,850 kilometres from the desert border with Namibia on the Atlantic (western) coast southwards around the tip of Africa and then northeast to the border with Mozambique on the Indian Ocean. The low-lying coastal zone is narrow for much of that distance, soon giving way to a mountainous escarpment that separates the coast from the high inland plateau. In some places, notably the province of KwaZulu-Natal in the east, a greater distance separates the coast from the escarpment. Although much of the country is classified as semi-arid, it has considerable variation in climate as well as topography. The total land area is 1,220,813 km2 (471,359 sq mi). It has the 23rd largest Exclusive Economic Zone of 1,535,538 km2 (592,875 sq mi).
Limpopo is the northernmost province of South Africa. It is named after the Limpopo River, which forms the province's western and northern borders. The capital and largest city in the province is Polokwane, while the provincial legislature is situated in Lebowakgomo.
Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park is a 35,000 km² peace park that is in the process of being formed. It will link the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, Kruger National Park in South Africa, Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary and Malipati Safari Area in Zimbabwe, as well as the area between Kruger and Gonarezhou, the Sengwe communal land in Zimbabwe and the Makuleke region in South Africa.
Musina, also known as Messina, is the northernmost town in the Limpopo province of South Africa. It is located near the confluence of the Limpopo River with the Sand River and the border to Zimbabwe with a population of between 20,000 and 40,000. Iron ore, coal, magnetite, graphite, asbestos, diamonds, semi-precious stones and copper are mined in the region.
The R37 is a provincial route in South Africa that connects Polokwane with Nelspruit (Mbombela) via Burgersfort and Lydenburg.
The R71 is a provincial route in Limpopo, South Africa that connects Polokwane with the Kruger National Park via the major towns of Tzaneen and Phalaborwa.
Beitbridge is a border town in the province of Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe. The name also refers to the border post and bridge spanning the Limpopo River, which forms the political border between South Africa and Zimbabwe. The border on the South African side of the river is also named Beitbridge.
Thuli Parks and Wildlife Land is a protected area in south-western Zimbabwe. It comprises four areas within the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Estate and covers the entire west bank of the Shashe River within the Thuli Circle.
The Shashe River is a major left-bank tributary of the Limpopo River in Zimbabwe. It rises northwest of Francistown, Botswana and flows into the Limpopo River where Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa meet. The confluence is at the site of the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area.
Guijá District is a district of Gaza Province in south-western Mozambique. The administrative center of the district is Caniçado. The district is located at the south of the province, and borders with Chigubo District in the north, Chibuto District in the east, Chókwè District in the south, and with Mabalane District in the west. The area of the district is 4,207 square kilometres (1,624 sq mi). It has a population of 75,303 as of 2007.
The Thuli River, former name Tuli River, is a major tributary of the Shashe River in Zimbabwe. It rises near Matopo Mission, Matobo District, and flows into the Shashe River near Tuli village.
The Motlatse River, Blyde River, or Umdhlazi River is a river in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces of South Africa. It has a northwards course in steep-sided valleys and ravines of the Mpumalanga Drakensberg, before it enters the lowveld region of the Limpopo province. It has its ultimate origins at around 2,000 m altitude in the Hartebeesvlakte conservation area, to the north of Long Tom Pass. It runs through the Blyde River Canyon.
The Crocodile River is a river in South Africa. At its confluence with the Marico River, the Limpopo River is formed.
Limpopo Valley Airfield is an airport serving the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, an area of public and private game reserves in eastern Botswana. The airport is owned by Mashatu Game Reserve with a superseded ICAO code of FBLV.
The border between Botswana and South Africa is 1,969 kilometres (1,223 mi) long. More than 90% of the border follows rivers, including the Nossob, Molopo, Marico and Limpopo.
The border between South Africa and Zimbabwe is 225 kilometres (140 mi) long, and follows the median line of the Limpopo River.
Beitbridge is a town in Musina Local Municipality in the Limpopo province of South Africa.
Stockpoort is a border crossing between South Africa and Botswana in the Limpopo province. On the Botswana side the post is known as Parr's Halt. The Limpopo River separates the border posts.
The Soutpansberg Military Area (SMA) Headquarters was situated in Messina in the Northern Province of South Africa. The size of the area for which the SMA was responsible for was approximately 4,040 square kilometres (1,560 sq mi).