With a heady average winter temperature of 26 degree C, Phalaborwa is known as the ‘town of two summers’. The town lies at the centre of the Valley of the Olifants, and is the gateway to the central and northern Kruger National Park. In fact, it’s only 2kms from the centre of town to the Phalaborwa gate!
Better than the South 
It was the Ba-Phalaborwa people that started mining metals here hundreds of years ago. Copper of remarkable purity was produced as early as the 8th century. The Ba-Phalaborwa travelled south to see if the proverbial grass was greener, but were met with hostile tribes and malaria. On their return, they called their original place Phalaborwa, which means ‘better than the south’.
The town itself was established in 1958 around the mining of copper, vermiculite and phosphate. The open cast copper mine of the Phalaborwa Mining Company (PMC) is one of the largest in the world and considered to be the widest man-made hole in Africa. The hole is an impressive 1846m wide and approximately 898m deep!
Copper, Vermiculite and Phosphate
The Foskor Mine Museum also makes for an entertaining glimpse into the history of the mining industry, as well as their local community arts and crafts projects.
The Masorini Iron Age Museum within the Kruger is also a fascinating spot. This was an Iron Age archaeological site occupied by the Mojela, a sub-group of Sotho speaking baPhalaborwa people. They traded metal, food and ivory products with other communities across the Lowveld and as far as the Mozambican coast. The village has been partially restored and you can wander around the huts on the terraced hillside, imagining what life then was like then.
Gateway to Game
Travel in any direction from Phalaborwa and you’ll soon be in the great African wilderness. To the west lie the Selati, Balule and Tinshaba – massive Big 5 game reserves.
To the east, and bordering the town, is the Kruger National Park which is evolving into the largest game reserve in the world – the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. The gate was opened in 1961 and sees some 200 000 visitors pass through annually.
The north is bounded by Silonque, Letaba Ranch Game Reserve and the Letaba River. To the south lies the magnificent Olifants River, which cuts through the world-class Klaserie and Timbavati private game reserves.
Gateway to Golf
Early morning golfers often encounter elephants, giraffe, hippo and cheetah, as they tee off at the famous Hans Merensky Country Estate and Hotel in Phalaborwa.
The estate is most famed for its challenging 18 hole, par 72 championship golf course, designed by Bob Grimsdell. The Kruger National Park stretches along the eastern boundary of the estate and playing golf amongst wild animals is an everyday occurrence.
The estate offers excellent accommodation, restaurants and pubs, swimming pools, gym, floodlit tennis courts, squash courts and an equestrian centre!
The Heart of African Culture 
Located at the centre of the tourism region called the Valley of the Olifants, Phalaborwa is an ideal base from which to explore the scenic delights of surrounding attractions like the realm of the Rain Queen at Modjadji village, the world’s biggest baobab and the misty mountains of Magoebaskloof.
Take a cultural tour to experience African traditions like tribal dancing and musical performance. Have your fortune told by a sangoma or traditional healer, nibble on a mopani worm – a local delicacy – or drink traditional Marula beer.
Magical Marula
From the mythical Marula or Elephant tree (Sclerocarya birrea) comes the creamy Amarula Liqueur. Only 10kms from Phalaborwa is the Amarula Lapa, where you can see how this magical drink is made, and go on a tasting tour.
A Day-tripper’s Delight
There are plenty of exciting day-trips from Phalaborwa.
Into some shopping? Then visit the Bollonato Tourism Centre, which is also home to the Heritage Museum, for authentic crafts and history. The Hlanganani Arts & Crafts centre is a unique project. The centre is staffed by previously disadvantaged locals who now produce assorted crafts and gifts.
Walk with orphaned animals at Tshukudu Game Farm. And don’t be surprised when you see a cheetah jumping onto the bar counter! Go elephant back riding at Kapama Private Game Reserve and visit their cheetah breeding project. At the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre you can learn about how wildlife is rescued and released back into the wild. And don’t forget to check out the enormous crocodiles at Swadini Reptile Park.
Elephant Hall
Head into the Kruger and visit the Elephant Hall at Letaba Camp, which shows the history of these amazing pachyderms. Experience the romance of a sunset cruise down the majestic Olifants River. Enjoy the thrill of a guided night drive into the Kruger National Park. The wild at heart can try micro-lighting, 4x4 adventures and hot air ballooning over the bush.
From Phalaborwa, you can do it all!
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