| Modjadji Nature Reserve covers an area of 300 | | | | high, and they bear cones that can weigh 34 kg! The |
| hectares is nestled high in the Lobedu Mountains to | | | | period from December to February of every year |
| the north east of Duiwelskloof (also known as | | | | sees the palm tree like plants in seed, in a wonderful |
| Modjadjiskloof on newer maps of the Province), in | | | | setting. Sometimes the whole reserve is covered |
| the Bolobedu district of Lebowa. The Modjadji | | | | over in mist, which leads to an "other world" like |
| Reserve is home to a wonderful array of cycad | | | | atmosphere. You will have marvelous views of the |
| plants, some of the largest and oldest preserves of | | | | local lowveld and Kruger National Park.There are |
| this type of flora in the world. Cycad plants are similar | | | | approximately 12km of walks throughout the cycad |
| to palm trees. The Nature Reserve is located in a | | | | forests, which will take you to the beautiful acacia |
| fitting location - right next to the home of the fabled | | | | and grassveld areas where you will come across |
| rain queens of the Modjadji tribe. The plants once | | | | animals such as blue wildebeest, bushbucks, |
| formed a staple diet of prehistoric reptiles that lived | | | | waterbucks and many different species of birdlife. On |
| in this area. The cycad of the Modjadji tribe has | | | | your walking trail you may come across monkeys |
| formed a natural forest, which is now a protected | | | | and also antelope, and there are family picnic areas. |
| nature reserve. | | | | Some of the fine tourist attractions in Limpopo |
| According to local legend, five hereditary Rain Queens | | | | include not only the wonderful cycad reserve, but |
| controlled the lands of the Bolobedu and Modjadji | | | | also the Modjadji Royal Palace. The Palace and Nature |
| over generations, and these surround the impressive | | | | Reserve are part of the African Ivory Route, which |
| cycad park. The legend is intensified that the Rain | | | | covers a total of 3.6 million hectares of national park, |
| Queen has special powers imposed upon her and she | | | | nature reserves, game farming areas and a whole lot |
| can control cloud and rainfall levels. The Queen's | | | | of history. |
| succession is passed down from daughter to eldest | | | | Heading to South Africa in the coming months and |
| daughter. The tribe are without a Queen at present, | | | | are interested in visiting Modjadji Nature Reserve? |
| as the former queen Makobo Modjadji VI died early | | | | The best way to get to the Reserve and explore |
| in 2005 at age just 27, with no heir to the throne. | | | | the surrounding areas is to avail of a top quality |
| Local tradition is that the Queen corresponds with | | | | vehicle hire. |
| her subjects through male advisers and never | | | | John writes for - an independent car hire reservation |
| marries, but is allowed to bear children. Before the | | | | website where you can book low cost car hire at |
| reigning Queen dies, her eldest daughter is appointed | | | | over 5,000 locations worldwide. |
| as the Rain Queen. | | | | Heading to South Africa on holidays? Visit |
| Cycad plants are protected in this region, and grow in | | | | Novacarhire.com's Car rentals South Africa page and |
| the safety of a protected reserve. Would you | | | | get an instant quote which will offer you the best |
| believe that some of the 29 species of these plants | | | | deals from top car rental providers. |
| in the Modjadji reserve may grow over 10 metres | | | | |