District · Limpopo Province
# Vhembe District

Vhembe District is a district or metropolitan municipality of South Africa in Limpopo Province. It had an estimated 1,325,089 people in 2020 on 25,597 km² (about 52 per km²). Its main town is Thohoyandou. It is divided into 4 local municipalities. 395 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 1,831 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.
- 1,325,089 people (2020)
- 25,597 km²
- 4 local municipalities
- 1,831 mapped services

## How many people live in Vhembe District?

Vhembe District had an estimated 1,325,089 people in 2020 — 24.0% of Limpopo Province, 10th of 50 districts. There are 1,175 women for every 1,000 men (above the Limpopo Province figure of 1,123). Spread over 25,597 km², that is about 52 people per km², 27th of 50 districts.

34.3% of people are children under 15 and 6.8% are 65 or older; the median age is about 23 years (it is 24 across Limpopo Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 70 children and older people.
- 0–4 148,046
- 5–9 152,583
- 10–14 154,389
- 15–19 145,242
- 20–24 109,901
- 25–29 96,291
- 30–34 102,825
- 35–39 87,666
- 40–44 66,878
- 45–49 55,085
- 50–54 44,978
- 55–59 38,028
- 60–64 33,266
- 65–69 28,494
- 70–74 22,335
- 75–79 18,901
- 80+ 20,181

Source: Statistics South Africa 2016 Community Survey Population via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO).

## Where is Vhembe District?

Vhembe District lies in Limpopo Province, South Africa. It borders 2 other districts: Capricorn District and Mopani District. By area it is the 18th largest of 52 districts in South Africa. It covers 20.4% of Limpopo Province. The centre of Vhembe District is about 394 km in a straight line from Pretoria, the capital. It is about 152 km from Polokwane, the main town of Limpopo Province. The centre point is at 22.7895° S, 30.3291° E. Local names: DC34.

Source: South African Municipal Demarcation Board via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO).

## Things to see in and around Vhembe District

OpenStreetMap lists 124 named sights in Vhembe District: 62 nature reserves; 42 viewpoints; 10 attractions; 3 monuments; 2 archaeological sites; 2 waterfalls; 1 memorial; 1 museum; 1 gallery.
- The Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre · museum
- K2 Cultural Site · archaeological site
- Thulamela Archaelogical Site · archaeological site
- Phiphidi Waterfall · waterfall
- Tshirovha Waterfall · waterfall
- Adwen Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Avarei Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Awelani Protected Environment · nature reserve
- Balaai Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Baobab Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Baobab Tree Reserve · nature reserve
- Baobab Tree Reserve · nature reserve
- Ben Lavin · nature reserve
- Ben Lavin Natuurreservaat · nature reserve
- Bergtop Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Boet van der Merwe Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Chapudi Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Club Ranch Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Cooksley Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- EWT Medike Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Ekland Game Ranch · nature reserve
- Entabeni Forest Reserve · nature reserve
- Gogga Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Goro Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Happy Rest Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Honnet Natuurreservaat · nature reserve
- Honnet Provincial Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- J. S. Gouws Private Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Johanna F Uys Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Kimberger Nature Reserve · nature reserve

…and 94 more.

Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

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

## Know before you go: Vhembe District
- Time zone UTC+2, no daylight saving · Africa/Johannesburg
- Currency Rand (ZAR)
- Country calling code +27
- Languages Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana
- Plug types Type C, D · 230 V
- Driving side Left
- Postcode format 4 digits (####)

### Nearest airports
- Polokwane International Airport (PTG) · Polokwane 147 km
- Hendrik Van Eck Airport (PHW) · Phalaborwa 153 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 13.5 hours, sunrise around 05:08) and shortest in Jun (about 10.7 hours, sunrise around 06:36, sunset around 17:21).

Source: GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03; OurAirports (public domain).

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.

## Local municipalities of Vhembe District
| Local municipality | Area km² | Localities | Services |
| Collins Chabane | 5,004 | 93 | 346 |
| Makhado | 7,605 | 120 | 591 |
| Musina | 10,346 | 76 | 214 |
| Thulamela | 2,642 | 106 | 680 |

Source: South African Municipal Demarcation Board via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO); GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features; Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

## Villages and localities in Vhembe District

Open gazetteers list 395 villages, towns and localities in Vhembe District. The largest with a recorded population: Thohoyandou (107,144), Louis Trichardt (86,854), Musina (51,132), Tshitereke (19,092), Malamulele (15,659) and Ka-Mhinga (12,609). Settlements here lie between about 213 m and 1,421 m above sea level (median 649 m).
- Abrasive
- Arton Villa
- Bale
- Bandelierkop
- Bandur
- Bashasha
- Beaconsfield
- Begwa
- Beit Bridge
- Bergview Oos
- Bergview Wes
- Bevula
- Bileni
- Blouhak
- Bokisi
- Bokmakierie
- Bonyani
- Bosrand
- Budeli
- Bungeni
- Buysdorp
- Cato Smuts
- Chavani
- Chavani 3
- Chiefs Kraal
- Craighouse
- Culvet
- Dambale
- De Droom
- De Hoop
- Dinga, South Africa
- Domboni A
- Domboni B
- Dovho
- Dovhoni
- Duluthulwa
- Dumasi
- Dzamba
- Dzanani
- Dzarani
- Dzindi
- Dzwerani
- Elim
- Elsteg
- Folovhodwe
- Fondwe
- Fort Edward
- Fripp
- Ga-Madulathoka
- Ga-Mathule
- Ga-Molema
- Gaandrik
- Garside
- Georgenholtz
- Gertrudsburg
- Gidjana
- Gijamandzini
- Gijana
- Gogogo
- Gondeni
- Gordon
- Gordonia Estates
- Gouldville
- Govhu
- Green Farm
- Gumbu
- Ha-Folovhodwe
- Ha-Funyufunyu
- Ha-Gumbu
- Ha-Lambani
- Ha-Madala
- Ha-Madodonga
- Ha-Magau
- Ha-Magoro
- Ha-Mamuhoyi
- Ha-Manavhela
- Ha-Mantsha
- Ha-Matsheketsheke
- Ha-Matsika
- Ha-Mavhunga
- Ha-Mubua
- Ha-Rabali
- Ha-Radali
- Ha-Ramahantsha
- Hamakuya
- Happy Rest
- Harmony
- Harper
- Hlanganani
- Houtrivier
- Jilongo
- Jimmy Jones, South Africa
- Jungaan
- Ka-Bungeni
- Ka-Dinga
- Ka-Hasane
- Ka-Madonsi
- Ka-Madzivi
- Ka-Mahonisi
- Ka-Mapapila
- Ka-Matiani
- Ka-Matsakeli
- Ka-Mavambe
- Ka-Mavundani
- Ka-Mbatlo
- Ka-Mchipise
- Ka-Mhinga
- Ka-Mphambo
- Ka-Mtititi
- Ka-Mudavula
- Ka-Muswane
- Ka-Nghezimani
- Ka-Nyavani
- Ka-Phaphazela
- Ka-Shigamane
- Ka-Sunduza
- Ka-Tshituugulwani
- Ka-Vhele
- Ka-Xihosana
- Ka-Xikundu
- Ka-Xitlhelani
- Khakhanwa
- Khakhu
- Khalavha
- Khavhambe
- Khubvi
- Klein Tshipise
- Klein-Letaba
- Knunda
- Kranskraal
- Kurulen
- Kutama’s Location
- KwaMatatani
- Lambani
- Lamvi
- Levubu
- Levubu-Nedersetting
- Lincoln York
- Linton
- Locatie van Tabaan
- Locatie van de Knopneuzen
- Lombard
- Lomondo Location
- Lost City
- Louis Trichardt
- Louis Trichardt Airforce Base
- Louraine
- Lovemore
- Luheni
- Lukalo
- Lushof
- Luvhalani
- Luvhola
- Lwamondo
- Mabayeni
- Mabedengwa
- Mabiligwe
- Mabvuka Jazz
- Madabani
- Madaheni
- Madangani
- Madavhila
- Madimbo
- Madombidzha
- Madzimu
- Madzingandevhe
- Maebani
- Magovani
- Majika
- Makavhini
- Makonde
- Makuleke
- Makuleni
- Makumbane
- Makunya
- Makwarela
- Malale
- Malamagwa
- Malamulele
- Malavuwe
- Manamane
- Mangondi
- Manyii
- Mapakoni
- Mapani
- Mapate
- Maphophe
- Mara
- Maramanzhi
- Maranikhwe
- Maseha
- Mashamba
- Mashapa
- Mashobye
- Masikhwa
- Masisi
- Matangari
- Mataulu
- Matavhela
- Matitivhala
- Matsa
- Matshakatini
- Matshavhawe
- Matshena
- Matsila
- Mauluma
- Mavhuwa
- Mavunde
- Mawoni
- Mbhokota Village
- Mbodi
- Mbodi Tsha Fhasi
- Mbokota
- Melanyi
- Merve
- Mianzwi
- Midoroni
- Milaboni
- Miohe
- Mitxetweni
- Moebani
- Molemaslokasie
- Mopane
- Mpapuli Location
- Mphambo
- Mphego
- Mtititi
- Muduluni
- Muhuyu
- Mukande
- Mukhomi
- Mukomaasinanndu
- Mukovhawabale
- Mukula
- Mukumawabane
- Mukumbani
- Mulangaphuma
- Muledane
- Mulenzhe
- Mulenzheslokasie
- Munwe
- Muraleni
- Musekwa
- Musina
- Musina-Nancefield
- Musunda
- Muswodi
- Muswodi Dipeni
- Muswodi Tshisimani
- Mutale
- Mutele
- Muthambi
- Muthati
- Mutshavhawe
- Mutshenzheni
- Muungadi
- Mvelaphanda
- Nancefield
- Natal House
- Natalie
- Nebo
- Nghomunghom
- Ngovhela
- Ngwenani
- Ninlo
- Njhakanjhaka
- Nngwekhulu
- Nthabalala
- Ntlhaveni
- Nzhelele
- Olifantshoek
- Oporto
- Pafuri
- Pafuri Border
- Pafuri Camp
- Palmaryville
- Palmgrove
- Peninghotsa
- Phaswane
- Phaweni
- Phugwane
- Pile
- Punda Maria
- Punda Maria Rest Camp
- Rambuda
- Raskhutuma
- Ratombo
- Ravele
- Rembander
- Rietvlei
- Riverplaats
- Rivierplaats
- Sambandou
- Sanari
- Saselamani
- Schoemansdal
- Senator
- Sending
- Senthimula’s Location
- Senwabarwana
- Septimus
- Seville
- Shayandima
- Shewasaulu
- Shigalo
- Shikundu
- Shingomeni
- Shingwidzi
- Shiphukuphuku
- Shirley
- Sibasa
- Sigonde
- Siloam
- Sinthumule
- Sirheni Bushveld Camp
- Skullpoint
- Solitude
- Stable
- Stone Edge
- Studholme
- Sumsare
- Takalani
- The Outpost Lodge
- Thengwe
- Thohoyandou
- Thondoni
- Thsidzini
- Thusalashaka
- Toekoms
- Tschilamusi
- Tshabvuma
- Tshabya
- Tshakhuma
- Tshamulongwe
- Tshamutavha
- Tshamutukwa
- Tshandama
- Tshapasha
- Tshaulu
- Tshenzhelani
- Tshianzwani
- Tshiavha
- Tshififi
- Tshifudi
- Tshiheni
- Tshikhwani
- Tshikondeni
- Tshikonelo
- Tshikundu
- Tshikuwi
- Tshikuyu
- Tshikwarani
- Tshilapfene
- Tshimbupfe
- Tshino
- Tshiombo
- Tshiozwi
- Tshipise
- Tshirolwe
- Tshirunzini
- Tshishiru
- Tshiswenda
- Tshitavha
- Tshitereke
- Tshithotholwe
- Tshituni
- Tshitwi
- Tshiulungoma
- Tshiungani
- Tshivaloni
- Tshivangani
- Tshivhazwaulu
- Tshivhongweni
- Tshivumbe
- Tshixwadza
- Tskani
- Tswera
- Tswinga
- Uitkyk
- Uitsig
- Upper Shingwidzi
- Valdezia
- Vendaland
- Vetfontein
- Vhutandabos
- Vondwe
- Vongane
- Vuwani
- Vygeboomdrift
- Waterpoort
- Weltevrede
- Wyllie’s Poort
- Xaswita
- Xigalo
- Zwigodini

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features; © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

## Landscape and landmarks of Vhembe District

Named natural and historic features inside Vhembe District, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

35 rivers and streams; 5 lakes; 2 reservoirs and tanks; 1 waterfall.
- Albasinidam
- Bububu
- Dangadzivha
- Dapodzi River
- Dorprivier
- Fundudzi
- Gumelarivier
- Houtrivier
- Indabane Spruit
- Klein-Shingwidzirivier
- Lake Hope
- Leroba
- Luphephe
- Lutanandwa River
- Luvuvhu
- Luvuvhurivier
- Madadzi
- Madhimahula
- Madzima River
- Magalakwena
- Malouga Spruit
- Maloutswa
- Mavatsani
- Mgongo Spruit

…and 19 more.

### Hills and mountains

193 hills; 140 mountains; 4 mountain passes; 2 peaks.
- Hanglip · 1,685 m
- Crewe · 1,681 m
- Letsume · 1,672 m
- Madichuene · 1,606 m
- Matanda · 1,574 m
- Lamiludzi · 1,556 m
- Tholoekop · 1,537 m
- Tshiya · 1,529 m
- Tomvi · 1,510 m
- Dande · 1,509 m
- Maangani · 1,507 m
- Tshamilora · 1,490 m
- Thononda · 1,488 m
- Tswime · 1,462 m
- Vhuhulwi · 1,446 m
- McConkey · 1,445 m
- Ndevhe · 1,433 m
- Tshithuthuni · 1,432 m
- Vhulambanngwe · 1,426 m
- Ha-Mandiwana · 1,425 m
- Balalia · 1,422 m
- Luonde · 1,422 m
- Tshiendeulu · 1,421 m
- Maaname · 1,412 m

…and 315 more.

### Forests and nature

6 forests; 2 wildlife reserves; 1 nature reserve; 1 park.
- Entabeni Staatsbos
- Goedehoop Forest Reserve
- Groot-Letaba Wildreservaat
- Hanglip Bosreservaat
- Klein-Australiëbosreservaat
- Langjan Natuur Reservatt
- Mapungubwe National Park
- Pafuri Game Reserve
- Roodewal-Bosreservaat
- Timbadola Forest Reserve

### History

3 ruins; 1 fort.
- Bvumanyundo
- Die Machemma Ruines
- Dzana Ruins
- Verdun Ruines

### Getting around

21 airfields; 4 railway stations; 1 airport; 1 bridge.
- Bandelierkop
- Beit Bridge
- Breslaw
- Club Ranch
- Fontainebleau
- Gumbu
- Linton
- Little Muck North
- Luna Farm
- Madimbo
- Makuleka
- Mara
- Margate Farm
- Mopane
- Musina
- Punda Miria
- Renfrew
- Rewlatch
- Schoonoord
- Skietwater
- Skietwater East
- Skietwater Southeast
- Thohoyandou Airport
- Thornhill

…and 3 more.

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features.

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

## Weather in Vhembe District and the best time to visit

In Vhembe District, the warmest month is Dec (average 26 °C) and the coolest is Jul (17 °C). About 585 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (113 mm) and the driest Aug (6 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are January to December.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
| Month | Average °C | Rain mm |
| Jan | 26 | 113 |
| Feb | 26 | 93 |
| Mar | 25 | 68 |
| Apr | 23 | 38 |
| May | 20 | 9 |
| Jun | 18 | 7 |
| Jul | 17 | 11 |
| Aug | 20 | 6 |
| Sep | 22 | 15 |
| Oct | 24 | 37 |
| Nov | 26 | 75 |
| Dec | 26 | 113 |

Source: NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29.

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Vhembe District

Places mapped inside Vhembe District in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.
- Hospitals 47
- Banks 91
- ATMs 67
- Petrol pumps 86
- Hotels 159
- Shopping malls 32
- Schools 1,054
- Colleges and universities 29
- Cinemas 1
- Pharmacies 31
- Restaurants 215
- Police stations 15
- Dental clinics 4

Source: Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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

## Quick answers
- Where is Vhembe District? In Limpopo Province, South Africa
- What is the population of Vhembe District? 1,325,089 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in Vhembe District? About 23 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of Vhembe District? About 52 people per km²
- What borders Vhembe District? Capricorn District and Mopani District
- What is there to see in Vhembe District? Adwen Nature Reserve, Art, Art gallery, Avarei Nature Reserve
- What time zone is Vhembe District in? UTC+2
- What currency is used in Vhembe District? Rand (ZAR)
- What language is spoken in Vhembe District? Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Vhembe District? 395 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Vhembe District? Settlements lie between 213 m and 1,421 m
- How many reservoirs and tanks are in Vhembe District? 2 named in GeoNames
- What is the highest point in Vhembe District? Hanglip (1,685 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Vhembe District? January to December
- How many hospitals are in Vhembe District? 47 mapped
- How many banks are in Vhembe District? 91 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Vhembe District? 67 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Vhembe District? 86 mapped
- What is the P-code of Vhembe District? ZA934 (OCHA common operational dataset)

At a glance
- Type: District
- Area: 25,597.0 km²
- P-code: ZA934
- Province: Limpopo Province
- Main town: Thohoyandou

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Canonical: https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/limpopo/vhembe/ · Updated 2026-11-03 · Data: national censuses and statistics offices (sources named in each section); © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); Overture Maps; GeoNames; NASA POWER.