# Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Mopani District, Limpopo Province

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/limpopo/mopani/ba-phalaborwa/

Local municipality · Mopani District 

# Ba-Phalaborwa

Ba-Phalaborwa is a local municipality of South Africa in Mopani District, Limpopo Province. It had an estimated **160,569 people** in 2020 on 7,489 km² (about 21 per km²). 42 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 358 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 160,569people (2020)
- 7,489km²
- 358mapped services
- 415 mtypical elevation

## How many people live in Ba-Phalaborwa?

Ba-Phalaborwa had an estimated **160,569 people** in 2020 — 15.1% of Mopani District, 68th of 190 local municipalities. There are 1,045 women for every 1,000 men (below the Mopani District figure of 1,167). Spread over 7,489 km², that is about **21 people per km²**, 120th of 190 local municipalities.

32.1% of people are children under 15 and 4.5% are 65 or older; the median age is about 25 years (it is 24 across Mopani District). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 58 children and older people.

0–4 ****18,118**

5–9 ****16,966**

10–14 ****16,491**

15–19 ****13,910**

20–24 ****13,924**

25–29 ****13,868**

30–34 ****14,908**

35–39 ****12,829**

40–44 ****9,642**

45–49 ****7,305**

50–54 ****5,847**

55–59 ****5,302**

60–64 ****4,156**

65–69 ****3,075**

70–74 ****2,076**

75–79 ****1,237**

80+ ****915**

Source: [Statistics South Africa 2016 Community Survey Population via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-zaf).

## Where is Ba-Phalaborwa?

Ba-Phalaborwa lies in [Mopani District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/limpopo/mopani/), [Limpopo Province](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/limpopo/), [South Africa](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/). It borders 5 other local municipalities: [Bushbuckridge](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/mpumalanga/ehlanzeni/bushbuckridge/), [Greater Giyani](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/limpopo/mopani/greater-giyani/), [Greater Letaba](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/limpopo/mopani/greater-letaba/), [Greater Tzaneen](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/limpopo/mopani/greater-tzaneen/) and [Maruleng](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/limpopo/mopani/maruleng/). By area it is the 44th largest of 213 local municipalities in South Africa. It covers 37.4% of [Mopani District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/limpopo/mopani/). The centre of Ba-Phalaborwa is about 392 km in a straight line from Pretoria, the capital. It is about 75 km from Giyani, the main town of Mopani District. The centre point is at 23.6806° S, 31.3306° E. Local names: LIM334 .

Source: [South African Municipal Demarcation Board via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-zaf).

## Things to see in and around Ba-Phalaborwa

OpenStreetMap lists 80 named sights in Ba-Phalaborwa: 43 viewpoints; 25 nature reserves; 8 attractions; 2 monuments; 1 archaeological site; 1 museum.

- Elephant Hall of Fame · museum
- Masorini Archaeological Site · archaeological site
- Abelana Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Andeon Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Cleveland Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Cycad Reserve · nature reserve
- Great Letaba Game Park · nature reserve
- Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Grietjie Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Hans Merensky Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Hans Merensky Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Kruger National Park · nature reserve
- Letaba Ranch Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Marbadane Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Mazunga Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Ndzalaza Wildlife Reserve · nature reserve
- Pompey Game Farm · nature reserve
- Portion 34 and Remaining Extent of Portion 35 of Farm Laaste 24 · nature reserve
- Sanwild Sanctuary · nature reserve
- Selati Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Selati Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Selati Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Shoswe Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Silonque Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Soloman Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Thankerton Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Tingala Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Bowkerskop Waterhole Viewpoint · viewpoint
- Confluence Viewpoint · viewpoint
- Eendrag Waterhole Viewpoint · viewpoint

…and 50 more.

Source: [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Ba-Phalaborwa

- Time zoneUTC+2, no daylight saving · Africa/Johannesburg
- CurrencyRand (ZAR)
- Country calling code+27
- LanguagesZulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana
- Plug typesType C, D · 230 V
- Driving sideLeft
- Postcode format4 digits (####)

### Nearest airports

- Hendrik Van Eck Airport (PHW) · Phalaborwa34 km
- Eastgate Airport / Air Force Base Hoedspruit (HDS) · Hoedspruit81 km

### Nearest railway station

Phalaborwa (Ba-Phalaborwa), about 40 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 13.6 hours, sunrise around 05:02) and shortest in Jun (about 10.7 hours, sunrise around 06:34, sunset around 17:15).

Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03](https://www.wikidata.org/); [OurAirports (public domain)](https://ourairports.com/data/).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Villages and localities in Ba-Phalaborwa

Open gazetteers list **42 villages, towns and localities** in Ba-Phalaborwa. The largest with a recorded population: Phalaborwa (109,468), Namakgale (14,588), Murchison (1,543) and Gravelotte (1,315). Settlements here lie between about 287 m and 677 m above sea level (median 415 m).

- Ben - A
- Ben - B
- Ben - C
- Benfarm AC
- Boulders Bush Lodge
- Ga-Makhushane
- Ga-Mashishimale
- Ga-Masisimale
- Gravelotte
- Humulani
- Josephine
- Kostini
- Letaba Rest Camp
- Leydsdorp
- Lulekani
- Lulekani - 1A
- Lulekani - A
- Lulekani - B
- Makushane Location
- Maseki Location
- Mashishimale
- Mashisimali Location
- Matiko Xikaya - A
- Mhalamhala
- Mulati
- Murchison
- Namakgale
- Namakgale - 1A
- Namakgale - B
- Namakgale - C
- Namakgale - D
- Namakgale - E
- Namakgale-A
- Nhlarweni
- Nshawu
- Olifants Rest Camp
- Phalaborwa
- Salwana
- Shilowa
- Shimuwini Bushveld Camp
- Silwana’s Location
- Tsende

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

## Landscape and landmarks of Ba-Phalaborwa

Named natural and historic features inside Ba-Phalaborwa, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

18 rivers and streams; 3 reservoirs and tanks.

- Black Heron Dam
- Engelharddam
- Ga-Selati
- Groot-Letaba
- Grootletaba Rivier
- Hlaulame
- Klaserierivier
- Klein-Letaba
- Limpopo River
- Makhwarbeni
- Malopeni
- Molatle
- Mulati
- Nhlanganini
- Njadzi
- Nwanedzi
- Regene
- Rooiwater
- Shimuwinidam
- Tsende
- Tsenderivier

### Hills and mountains

104 hills.

- Spitskop · 842 m
- Tafelkop · 792 m
- Scammellskop · 782 m
- Bluejacket · 770 m
- La France · 748 m
- La Belle France · 729 m
- Kasteelkoppies · 695 m
- Ga-Mashishimale · 686 m
- Grootkop · 644 m
- Langkop · 644 m
- Loskop · 614 m
- Selati · 612 m
- Louwskop · 610 m
- Skeidingkop · 596 m
- Lion · 586 m
- Leeukop · 581 m
- Ostfaliakop · 569 m
- Pidwa · 568 m
- Jubilee · 554 m
- Selati · 549 m
- Eden · 544 m
- Witkop · 544 m
- Pike’s Kop · 543 m
- Pioneer Kop · 539 m

…and 80 more.

### Forests and nature

1 nature reserve; 1 park.

- Hans Merensky Natuurreservaat
- Kruger National Park

### History

1 ruin.

- Malunzane

### Getting around

4 airfields; 2 railway stations; 1 airport.

- Gravelotte
- Gravelotte South
- Hendrik Van Eck Airport
- Kruger
- Phalaborwa
- Phalaborwa Nw
- Platveld Vliegveld

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Ba-Phalaborwa and the best time to visit

Using the climate of Mopani District, the warmest month is Dec (average 27 °C) and the coolest is Jul (18 °C), after allowing for this place being about 162 m lower than the climate reference point (about 6.5 °C per 1,000 m). About 691 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Dec (129 mm) and the driest Jul (6 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **February to November**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 27 127 

Feb 27 103 

Mar 26 84 

Apr 23 50 

May 21 10 

Jun 18 7 

Jul 18 6 

Aug 21 7 

Sep 23 19 

Oct 25 52 

Nov 26 96 

Dec 27 129 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Nearest hospital, bank and fuel from Ba-Phalaborwa

Need Nearest mapped Distance 

Hospital Clinix Phalaborwa Private Hospital Radiology Department · Ba-Phalaborwa 34 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-23.93277&mlon=31.13677#map=17/-23.93277/31.13677) 

Bank Standard Bank Phalaborwa · Ba-Phalaborwa 36 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-23.94889&mlon=31.13613#map=17/-23.94889/31.13613) 

ATM Capitec Bank ATM · Ba-Phalaborwa 35 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-23.93460&mlon=31.13472#map=17/-23.93460/31.13472) 

Petrol pump TotalEnergies · Ba-Phalaborwa 19 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-23.52160&mlon=31.39700#map=17/-23.52160/31.39700) 

Hotel Shimuwini Bushveld Camp · Ba-Phalaborwa 7.6 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-23.71463&mlon=31.26601#map=17/-23.71463/31.26601) 

Mall Phalaborwa Mall · Ba-Phalaborwa 36 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-23.94990&mlon=31.13583#map=17/-23.94990/31.13583) 

School Xiluva Day Care Centre · Greater Giyani 31 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-23.60852&mlon=31.04015#map=17/-23.60852/31.04015) 

College Mopani South East FET College · Ba-Phalaborwa 35 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-23.94161&mlon=31.14096#map=17/-23.94161/31.14096) 

Police station Phalaborwa SAPS · Ba-Phalaborwa 36 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-23.95243&mlon=31.13660#map=17/-23.95243/31.13660) 

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Straight-line distance from the centre of the division, within 40 km.

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Ba-Phalaborwa

Places mapped inside Ba-Phalaborwa in open map data, by type.

- Hospitals6
- Banks12
- ATMs9
- Petrol pumps31
- Hotels69
- Shopping malls4
- Schools172
- Colleges and universities3
- Pharmacies3
- Restaurants45
- Police stations4

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Other local municipalities in Mopani District

- Greater Giyani
- Greater Letaba
- Greater Tzaneen
- Maruleng

## Quick answers

- Where is Ba-Phalaborwa?In Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa
- What is the population of Ba-Phalaborwa?160,569 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in Ba-Phalaborwa?About 25 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of Ba-Phalaborwa?About 21 people per km²
- What borders Ba-Phalaborwa?Bushbuckridge, Greater Giyani, Greater Letaba, Greater Tzaneen and Maruleng
- What is there to see in Ba-Phalaborwa?Abelana Game Reserve, Andeon Nature Reserve, Bowkerskop Waterhole Viewpoint, Cleveland Nature Reserve
- What time zone is Ba-Phalaborwa in?UTC+2
- What currency is used in Ba-Phalaborwa?Rand (ZAR)
- What language is spoken in Ba-Phalaborwa?Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Ba-Phalaborwa?42 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Ba-Phalaborwa?Settlements lie between 287 m and 677 m
- How many reservoirs and tanks are in Ba-Phalaborwa?3 named in GeoNames
- What is the highest point in Ba-Phalaborwa?Spitskop (842 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Ba-Phalaborwa?February to November
- Where is the nearest hospital to Ba-Phalaborwa?Clinix Phalaborwa Private Hospital Radiology Department, about 34 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest bank to Ba-Phalaborwa?Standard Bank Phalaborwa, about 36 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest ATM to Ba-Phalaborwa?Capitec Bank ATM, about 35 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest petrol pump to Ba-Phalaborwa?TotalEnergies, about 19 km from the centre
- How many hospitals are in Ba-Phalaborwa?6 mapped
- How many banks are in Ba-Phalaborwa?12 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Ba-Phalaborwa?9 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Ba-Phalaborwa?31 mapped
- What is the P-code of Ba-Phalaborwa?ZA9334 (OCHA common operational dataset)