Mapungubwe National Park

Mapungubwe National Park is the ideal location for anyone interested in the park's wildlife, birds and the extraordinary history of this World Heritage Site. Come and join these diverse pilgrims and share unforgetable moments sipping sundowners at the confluence of the legendary Limpopo and Shashe Rivers, watch the eagles soar over Botswana and Zimbabwe's skies, hear the echo of elephant trumpets, take a tree top walk or just relax and absorb the surroundings. Mapungubwe is rich in biodiversity, great scenic beauty.

The archaeological treasures of Mapungubwe lie in The Lost City. Visitors to Mapungubwe Hill will see where a far developed African civilisation prospered between 1200 and 1270 AD. The area was already inhabited by a growing Iron Age community from 900 AD and became rich through trade with faraway places like Egypt, India and China. This is the place where archeologists excavated the famous golden rhino and other evidence of a wealthy African kingdom.

Sandstone formations, mopane woodlands and unique riverine forest and baobab trees form the astounding scenic backdrop for a rich variety of animal life. Elephant, giraffe, white rhino, eland, gemsbok and numerous other antelope species occur naturally in the area. Lucky visitors might spot predators like lions, leopards and hyenas. Birders can tick off 400 species, including kori bustard, tropical boubou and pel’s fishing owl.

Accommodation

Thugulu Lodge - 12 beds

Luxury lodge
6 bedrooms, a bath, en-suite swimming pool
Exclusive eco-trail

Leokwe Camp

This is Mapungubwe’s main camp, located in the eastern section of the Park in the spectacular sandstone hills. Close to the camp guests can enjoy the Treetop Hide and the Confluence View Site & Picnic Area. The camp itself has a swimming pool and sundeck, as well as a central barbeque area.

Limpopo Forest Tented Camp

This camp, situated in the Limpopo riverine forest which offers excellent birding, is located in the western section of the Park. The camp is close to the Maloutswa Pan hide

Vhembe Wilderness Camp

In the eastern section of Mapungubwe National Park, Vhembe Wilderness Camp has been built on a small ridge within a valley, within walking distance of the Limpopo River and Mapungubwe Hill.

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Important Information

Mapungubwe National Park is an area with large and dangerous game animals and unguided walking is not permitted.
Guests, who would like to arrange activities such as walks, drives and visits to cultural attractions, can do so directly with Mapungubwe.
Guests should take precautions against malaria when visiting Mapungubwe.
All Mapungubwe’s camps are accessible by normal sedan vehicles, as are many of the roads inside the Park. There are also a number of eco-trails for which a 4x4 is required.
No caravans are allowed in the park, due to the nature of the roads.
The closest shops and fuel supplies to Mapungubwe are in Alldays and Musina, both about 70 km’s from the Park.
There are no shops at Mapungubwe. The units are self catering and fully equipped.
Take all food, drinks and firewood. The Vhembe Trails Camp is catered, but take your own drinks.
Sunscreen, hat, binoculars, field guides, liquids for drinking.
Fill up your fuel tank at Alldays/ Musina.

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Extra Information

The significance of the Mapungubwe National Park and the areas surrounding it is enhanced by the potential role of the area as a sanctuary for viable populations of some of the most threatened large mammals on earth, such as the black rhinoceros, wild dog, cheetah, brown hyena and elephant. It also is one of the last protected areas of the Limpopo riverine forest.

The area has tremendous potential for research, both cultural and biological. Currently there is an Elephant project and numerous cultural research projects.

Picnic sites; hides; Eco Trails; Treetop Walk; accommodation facilities

Climate