The Limpopo provincial government has developed new tourism routes aimed at encouraging tourists and locals to visit those attractions that are “off the beaten track”.

The Footsteps of the Ancestors and Art of the Rocks routes, which are not as well-known as the others, have been developed to increase tourist flow to the Mapungubwe National Park.

The park is a world heritage site that was the seat of an early trading empire older than that of Great Zimbabwe.

Another route, the African Ivory Route, will be improved with three new camps added to the nine that already operate there.

This includes 3.6 million hectares of national parks, nature reserves and game farms stretching across the province.

Provincial director general, Dr Nelly Manzini, said efforts were also being made to improve facilities for locals, who take their families or friends on day-trips to local dams.

“We have conducted a feasibility study to help us develop the family and recreational cluster,” Manzini said.

She said the study would help develop five dams as tourist attractions in the province, namely Rust de Winter, Doorndraai, Nsami, Tzaneen and Ebenezer dams.Manzini said while the commercialisation of these dams slowed as a result of land claim processes, steps were being taken to ensure job creation and black economic empowerment (BEE) shareholding in any development.

“If this cluster is successfully completed, there will automatically be an increase in tourism and tourism investment and opportunities for locals to discover their own beautiful province.”

She added that low-cost recreational areas and camp facilities will also be developed at Limpopo’s eight provincial nature reserves.

For locals who love music and entertainment, Limpopo has just finished building the Dzata drumming museum near Thohoyandou, while plans are afoot to establish the museum as South Africa’s first drumming academy.

“The use of advanced technology in the museum and training of museum guides will ensure a high quality product,” Manzini promised.

A Heritage Management Plan and an Indigenous Knowledge Resource Centre will further support attempts to promote cultural heritage.

“Sites such as Lake Fundudzi, Shiendeulu, Tswime and Thathe Vondo have to be packaged and community awareness of tourism can be increased,” she concluded.