Polokwane is a fast-growing and modern city with excellent infrastructure and amenities. It offers many different attractions with a number of museums and historical sites presenting the history and cultural heritage of the northern territory. Many beautiful historic buildings such as the Irish House, which houses the Polokwane Museum, and the home of coach magnate Doel Zeederberg, who pioneered a passenger stage coach service between the then named Pietersburg and Bulawayo in 1894, can be seen in the city. The Roman Catholic Church dating back to 1934 is considered one of the province's finest pieces of architecture.

Polokwane is also a city of art and culture. Apart from its extensive art collection, the city has more public sculptures per capita in its parks than anywhere else in South Africa. Many may be seen on the Civic Square. The sculpture featuring a family group of giraffe has become an icon of the city.

Polokwane was the first city to unveil a bust of Ex-president Nelson Mandela that was officially authorised by him. The city's sculpture collection is also unique in that it features a group statue of 'Boere orkes' musicians, as well as a kwela mouth organ player.

The Polokwane Game Reserve conserves one of the last remaining, undisturbed examples of a very localised vegetation type known as the Pietersburg Plateau false grassland. Within this vegetation type there are several interesting plant communities ranging from Acacia thickets to open red grass plains. It is around these open grasslands that  one finds a very localised bird species known as the short-clawed lark. Another interesting feature is the mountain aloe forest on the northern
slope of a low ridge.

Significant landmarks in the area include the impressive University of the North and the Zion City at Moria.This is the seat of the Zion Christian Church, an entirely black denomination with the largest
following in South Africa. During Easter Weekend each year, millions of followers congregate here.

Despite its position on the Tropic of Capricorn, the climate is superb because the city lies on a plateau thirteen hundred metres above sea level. Moderate temperatures permit outdoor living all year round.

A new attraction in Polokwane is the Meropa Entertainment and Casino Complex with its gambling tables, slot machines, as well as attractions such as a bird, reptile and butterfly park
and traditional cultural village.

Polokwane, today encompassing the vibrant community of Seshego, boasts excellent accommodation, an airport and a friendly population.

ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS

The Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-air Museum 9 km from the town on the Chuniespoort Road, features a traditional and a modern-day Northern Sotho village environment, preserving the
architectural and cultural styles of these fascinating people. Experience the traditional ways of life and watch demonstrations of the making of handcrafts. A curio shop and tea garden are on the premises.

The collection of 800 art works in the Polokwane Art Museum is one of the most extensive in South Africa and features many artists from the Limpopo Province.

Places of historic interest include the Concentration Camp Cemetery, the Eersteling Monument which marks the site of the first gold crushing and gold power plant in the country (18 km south of the town on the N1), the English Fort of Marabastad where the Boers forced a siege of 140 soldiers for 104 days in 1880 and old horse rails from the days of horse-drawn carriages near the Post Office in Landdros Mare Street.

An interesting memorial is found in the Library Gardens. All guns confiscated at the end of the Makgoba War in 1893 were melted into a mass of metal. During the building of the golf course in 1975, the molten mass was discovered and erected as a gun memorial.

A host of reserves are found in and around the town. The Polokwane Game Reserve adjacent to the city is one of the largest municipal- owned game reserves in South Africa. It offers more than 21 game species and a one-day hiking trail over 20 km with overnight accommodation. The Polokwane Bird and Reptile Park houses many interesting species and has snake demonstrations. A wonderful variety of birds (over 280 species) can be seen at the Polokwane Bird Sanctuary where hides and picnic spots are also available. The Moletzie Bird Sanctuary is highly acclaimed for its excellent work in the protection of the rare Cape Vulture.

The Gemco Arts, Crafts and Curios Centre, just south of the city on the N1, houses a brilliant collection of semi-precious stones, ivory and other jewellery. The fascinating manufacturing stages of semi-precious beads such as tiger-eye can be viewed.

Polokwane district is considered one of the premier hunting destinations in South Africa and there are several taxidermists in the city. Adventure options are also available in Sekhukhuneland on the R37 to Chuniespoort and Lydenburg. This remote region is an area of great scenic beauty where
traditional African customs are still practised in the mountain strongholds of the Drakensberg escarpment. The area offers superb 4x4 routes through unusual and dramatic mountain
country.