At the birthplace of a powerful African empire, there now exists a place where nature abounds, and visitors have the chance to rediscover the past while enjoying an incredible wildlife experience.
Located in the northernmost reaches of South Africa, Mapungubwe National Park is a two-hour drive from Polokwane airport. Once there, visitors are greeted by a sight that epitomises this part of the world – towering baobabs, some with bases that expand to over 30 metres in circumference. Amongst these giants of Africa, you’ll also find fever trees, which are no less impressive thanks to their bright yellow-green bark. And this is just a taste of the natural beauty of the park, where you’ll also find riverine forest, sparse grassveld and unforgettable sandstone rock formations.
The park is home to numerous large animals, including eland, kudu, waterbuck, zebra, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, giraffe and elephant. They all roam freely across the borders of the three countries that meet inside the park’s boundaries: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Because of this wide expanse of territory, some wildlife is more rarely seen – so spotting them is even more rewarding! These include the likes of lion, cheetah, both brown and spotted hyena, and white rhino. Interestingly, the usually elusive leopard is a more common site in Mapungubwe than the park’s other predators.
Bird watching can be particularly rewarding at Mapungubwe. Kori bustard, seven species of crane, and even pelican are all part of the roughly 400 species that can be found at the park. There are numerous hides from which to search for rare sightings like Pel’s fishing owl, collared palm thrush and boulder chat, while listening out for the iconic call of the African fish eagle. For a slightly different bird watching experience, the park has a raised walkway that wends its way through verdant treetops, ending up at a hide overlooking the glorious Limpopo River.
An experience not on offer in any other park in the country is a chance to look into the history of the Mapungubwe people who settled the area. This kingdom, which predates Great Zimbabwe, flourished between the 12th and the 13th centuries, and was known for its trade in ivory and gold with China, India and Egypt – a fact that’s embodied in the golden rhino on display in the park’s Interpretation Centre, which offers an informative and fascinating tour about the Mapungubwe. If you’d like to find out more about this World Heritage Site, guided heritage tours are available and start from the main gate.
Other park activities include guided game drives, morning guided walks and bush braais – a chance to enjoy an al fresco BBQ surrounded by nature’s splendour. Other once-in-a-lifetime activities include a heritage tour that takes in a natural amphitheatre with spectacular views and a walk to the ancient graveyard atop Mapungubwe Hill; and a visit to the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe offers a unique view of where the park’s three neighbouring countries meet.
Mapungubwe National Park has five rest stops from which to choose, ranging from the Mazhou Camping Area for tents and caravans, to the Leokwe Main main camp with chalets and access to the treetop walk, the confluence view site and a swimming pool. For more adventurous travellers, the solar-powered Vhembe Wilderness Camp is only accessible by 4×4 vehicles. The Limpopo River Forest Camp is situated in the riverine forest, and Tshugulu Lodge, located in the Western section of the park, is a 6-bedroom luxury accommodation option.
- A chance to discover more about Africa’s ancient history within the Mapungubwe Kingdom
- The opportunity to stand at the point at which three countries meet
- A birdwatcher’s paradise
- Mapungubwe can mean “hill of the jackal” or “the place of the stone and wisdom”, depending on which local dialect it is translated from.
- The park was declared a World Heritage Site in July 2003.
- Mapungubwe’s Interpretation Centre won the World Architecture Festival Awards prestigious “Building of the Year” award in 2009.
- Baobab trees have an impressive lifespan, with the oldest in Limpopo carbon dated to at least 3000 years. When viewing an average sized baobab at Mapungubwe, keep in mind that it’s probably been on this earth for 400 years already.
- There is little to no mobile phone reception beyond the main gate.
- The park is largely accessible by regular vehicles, but some parts require 4x4, and Mapungubwe Hill cannot be accessed without booking a tour.
- Arrival at the park gates needs to be an hour before closing time, to allow for time to get to the rest camps before dark.
