Hendrik Verwoerd Tunnels - nr Louis Trichardt, Limpopo

The Hendrik Verwoerd Tunnels, now commonly known as the Strydom Tunnels, are a pair of significant tunnels located near Louis Trichardt  in the Limpopo province of South Africa. These tunnels are an essential part of the road infrastructure, cutting through the Drakensberg Mountains along the Abel Erasmus Pass on the R36 route, which connects the towns of Ohrigstad and Hoedspruit. The tunnels provide a scenic gateway to the Lowveld and the popular Kruger National Park area.

Named after Hendrik Verwoerd, South Africa’s prime minister during the apartheid era, the tunnels were completed in the late 1950s. Their construction was a major engineering feat at the time, significantly improving access to the remote regions of Limpopo. The tunnel is part of a route that offers some of the most breathtaking views of the Blyde River Canyon, making it not only an important transport link but also a popular scenic drive for tourists.

While originally named after Verwoerd, the tunnels are more often referred to as the Strydom Tunnels, after Ben Strydom, a politician who played a role in the region’s development. Today, they serve as a reminder of the infrastructural progress made during that period, while also contributing to the accessibility of Limpopo’s tourism hotspots.