The Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve is situated in the northern-most parts of South Africa, and is owned by the De Beers Diamond Mining Company - the mine itself is actually within the confines of the reserve.
The reserve is approximately 33 000 ha in size, and is characterised by the dominant mopane veld- type (Colophospermum mopane). Whilst scenic, the area is hot — summer temperatures regularly pass the 40 degrees Celsius mark.
The reserve is home to three of the big 5 (lion, elephant and leopard — rhino and buffalo are not found in the park). There was a population of African Wild Dogs resident in the park, who were in fact part of a research project being undertaken by the Carnivore Conservation Group, a branch of the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
Literally across the road is one of South Africa's newest national parks — the Mapungubwe National Park.
Famous quotes containing the words nature and/or reserve:
“Art is not tame, and Nature is not wild, in the ordinary sense. A perfect work of man’s art would also be wild or natural in a good sense.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Common experience is the gold reserve which confers an exchange value on the currency which words are; without this reserve of shared experiences, all our pronouncements are cheques drawn on insufficient funds.”
—René Daumal (1908–1944)