The Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism has joined the national drive to increase the country’s tree cover by planting five trees at Nylsvley Resort as part of efforts to respond to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for the planting of one million trees across South Africa.
The tree-planting initiative comes during Tourism Month, which is observed every September to promote domestic tourism and showcase the country’s diverse tourism attractions.
Limpopo is the province of focus for Tourism Month 2026, with the national Department of Tourism encouraging South Africans to explore destinations within the province and support local tourism businesses and communities.
The planting of the five trees at Nylsvley Resort adds an environmental dimension to the province’s tourism activities, highlighting the connection between tourism, conservation and sustainable development.
Nylsvley, situated in the Waterberg area, is one of Limpopo’s natural tourism assets and is known for its wetland environment and birdlife. Protecting and enhancing natural spaces such as these is important for maintaining the attractions that draw visitors to the province.
The initiative also comes at a time when government is placing increasing emphasis on sustainable tourism and the protection of South Africa’s natural and cultural assets.
The national Department of Tourism says tourism enables communities to derive economic value from natural assets, culture, heritage, food and hospitality, while the sector also creates opportunities for communities and small businesses.
The tree planting therefore represents more than an environmental activity, as trees can contribute to healthier tourism destinations by providing shade, supporting biodiversity, improving landscapes and helping protect natural ecosystems.
LIMPOPO IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The province has been placed at the centre of this year’s national Tourism Month programme.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille announced in August that Limpopo would be the province of focus for Tourism Month 2026, calling on South Africans to take a “Sho’t Left” and explore the province’s tourism attractions.
The national Tourism Month programme will culminate in World Tourism Day on September 27.
The official 2026 World Tourism Day celebrations will be held at the Legend Golf and Safari Resort in Limpopo, with the national Department of Tourism working with LEDET and the Limpopo Tourism Agency on the event.
This year’s global World Tourism Day theme is “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, while South Africa has localised it as “Growing South Africa’s Tourism Sector in the Digital Era.”
Against this backdrop, the tree-planting initiative at Nylsvley provides another opportunity to highlight the province’s natural environment and the importance of preserving tourism assets for future generations.
The department’s participation in the tree-planting campaign also reinforces the message that tourism growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
For Limpopo, which boasts destinations ranging from wildlife reserves and wetlands to cultural and heritage attractions, maintaining the natural environment remains an important part of sustaining the province’s tourism appeal.
As the country continues with Tourism Month activities, the five newly planted trees at Nylsvley Resort stand as a small but symbolic contribution towards a wider national environmental campaign.
