About Us
Leshiba Wilderness is a secluded mountain-top reserve where you are free to walk guided or unguided amongst some of Africa’s most wondrous wildlife, cycle untamed terrain, track game, learn about medicinal plants, discover ancient Rock Art and take part in transformational experiences while discovering the diverse and colourful cultures of the VhaVenda, Northern Sotho and Tsonga people, and their sacred land.
Our luxury wildlife and eco tourism destination is located on top of the Soutpansberg Mountains, 36km west of Louis Trichardt, Limpopo, South Africa.
Leshiba is Malaria free, part of the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve and certified by Fair Trade in Tourism in South Africa. We are a protected wildlife reserve offering a variety of wildlife including leopard, giraffe, zebra, a variety of antelope and extensive bird species. We have been featured in Africa’s Finest by David Bristow & Colin Bell as well as on the cover of Getaway Magazine.
INTERESTING FACTS
- Leshiba Wilderness is Malaria free
- There is free Wi-Fi at all our eco-lodges at Leshiba Wilderness
- There is very limited mobile phone reception at Leshiba Wilderness
- Leshiba Wilderness is considered an important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife South Africa
- Leshiba Wilderness has crystal clear mountain water, safe to drink from the tap.
- Over 380 indigenous tree species at Leshiba Wilderness – as many as in the entire Kruger National Park
- In summer the temperatures average between 18 and 35 degrees Celsius.
- Winter temperatures range from 0 to 23 degrees Celsius.
- We are located in a mist belt, it is often clouded in early morning.
- What makes the Soutpansberg special is that it has a unique microclimate, similar to spaces like Madagascar. This has resulted in it having a wider variety of plant species in a concentrated area than anywhere else in South Africa i.e. 2500-3000 plant species in 6800 sq Kms.
- Our rainfall season is between the end of October and April. This is when the wilderness is at her prettiest and our streams / rock pools are running depending on the season’s rainfall. The rock pools are generally full during the rainy season and less so during winter months.
- In autumn and winter the wilderness is not as green but walking in the bushveld is fantastic and there is a greater opportunity to see game because the bush is not so dense.
- Soutpansberg translates to ‘mountain of salt’ and is named for the presence of a salt pan on the northern slopes of the mountain – for thousands of years this was the only inland source of salt to humans and animals in the area.
- Please note, due to our remote location, Leshiba Wilderness does not allow day visitors and has a 2-night minimum stay.
Although the Soutpansberg mountains covers less than 0.5 per cent of the surface area of South Africa, it contains: - 30 percent and more of the tree species;
- 48 per cent of the genera of flowering plants;
- 60 percent of the bird species;
- 40 percent of the mammals (25 percent of which are listed as rare or endangered);
- 30 percent of the amphibians and reptiles (seven reptile species are endemic to the Soutpansberg);
- 46 (or 70 per cent) of the 66 families of spiders.
This mountain is home to: - 19 scorpion species
- 133 ant species
- 140 reptile species
- 152 mammal species
- 309 butterfly species
- 542 recorded bird species
The mountain has an ancient history. Some of earth’s oldest red-bed rocks of 1800 million years old are found in these magical mountains. Look out for these red stones all over Leshiba Wilderness
The Soutpansberg is also known as the “Luvhondo” (the word for wall in TshiVenda ) before the Limpopo River Valley which borders Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique and forms the natural northern frontiers of South Africa.