Mapungubwe National Park is a national park in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The park protects the historical site of Mapungubwe Hill, which was the capital of the Kingdom of Mapungubwe, as well as the wildlife and riverine forests along the Limpopo River.
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"Mapungubwe National Park is a true African gem that showcases the continent's rich history, diverse culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. Located at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, this national park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and adventure seekers.
Scenic Beauty:
The park's scenic beauty is simply breathtaking. The Limpopo River forms the border between South Africa and Botswana, and the surrounding hills offer stunning views of the riverine landscape. The park's unique sandstone formations, rocky outcrops, and baobab trees add to its natural charm.
Wildlife:
Mapungubwe National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. The park is also a birdwatcher's paradise, with over 400 species of birds documented. We spotted several herds of antelope, zebras, and wildebeests during our game drive.
History and Culture:
Mapungubwe National Park is steeped in history and culture. The park is home to the ancient Mapungubwe Hill, which was once the capital of the Mapungubwe Kingdom. The hill offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and is home to several archaeological sites. We took a guided tour to the hill and were fascinated by the history and significance of the site.
Guided Tours:
The guided tours offered by the park's rangers are informative and insightful. Our guide was knowledgeable and passionate about the park's history, culture, and wildlife. The guided tour to the Mapungubwe Hill was a highlight of our visit.
Accommodation:
We stayed at the park's rest camp, which offered comfortable and clean accommodation. The camp is located near the park's entrance and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Tips and Recommendations:
Take a guided tour to the Mapungubwe Hill to learn about the park's history and culture. Go on a game drive to spot the park's diverse wildlife. Bring binoculars and a camera to capture the stunning scenery and wildlife. Stay at the park's rest camp for comfortable and convenient accommodation.
Pros:
Scenic beauty and unique landscape Diverse wildlife and birdlife Rich history and culture Informative and insightful guided tours Comfortable and convenient accommodation
Cons:
Limited amenities and services within the park Some areas of the park can be closed due to weather conditions or maintenance
Overall, Mapungubwe National Park is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, culture, wildlife, and natural beauty. We highly recommend adding this park to your...
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The Eastern side of this park blew my mind! It contains some of the most stunning landscapes I have ever seen!
The reception staff and game rangers were amazing. They were very friendly and helpfull. There was not a quiery that was left unanswered. Johannes and Cedrick guided us on our outing to the Mapungubwe historical site. They were so knowleadgable, passionate and friendly. It was an absolute treat to spend 2 hours with them. I can strongly recommend this tour. It was worth every penny. Just note some step climbing is required.
So, following our experience with the above mentioned people, we were completely caught off gaurd by the complete opposite reception we received 400m down the road at the museum and restaurant. The staff there were crazy rude and even got upset when we asked if they could open the curio shop for us. The museum is so beautiful from the outside, but seems to be falling apart inside. I think about 10 out of all the display lightbulbs worked. There were alarms going off inside that were really distracting and we eventually found it to be the automatic fire extinguishers that were sounding an error message. Off course when we reported this we were dismissed. I would be really surprised if this restaurant will be able to serve you a meal.
The Western side of the park is also a big contrast to the Eastern side and I think not worth the travel. There were quite a lot of animals, but there were no road markings and we got hopelessly lost to the point where we unknowingly drove out of the park 2 times! The gates between the surrounding farms and the park were simply left open or broken and the next thing you know you are on private land. The map for the Western side is also quite useless. There are no bathrooms on this side of the park (except at the camp site) and the bird hide with a picnic site was closed off for construction that seems to have been abandoned a long time ago.
I would not travel to this park without a high clearance vehicle.
Despite the significant number of negatives I've mentioned here, the good things made up for them to the point where I would love to...
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We spent a week at Vhembe camp in Mapungubwe National Park. On arrival the reception and gate staff were very friendly and full of smiles. All staff were wonderful and helpful. This park is more about beautiful landscape than the Big 5. An author, photographer or a landscape artist's perfect destination. We saw very small groups of animals including eland, kudu, klipspringer, impala, warthog, 3 lion, giraffe, zebra, bushbuck, steenbok and elephants. Sadly the elephants seemed very ill-at-ease and agitated by vehicles, thoughts were that poaching is a major problem there. Vhembe camp has only 4 huts (each with own loo and shower) and a communal kitchen. The setup is fantastic, each having their own private braai area and a view that is hard to beat in South Africa. Absolutely stunning! The huts overlook a small valley that constantly has a flow of small groups of animals passing through it and where the sun sets right in front of you. The walk from your vehicle to the huts is very steep up a koppie and all your food, luggage, charcoal, wood etc has to be carried by yourself. So be prepared, don't overload!! Squirrels do peek through everything you leave in your room so be very careful what you leave lying about, however watching them outside is hugely entertaining. No baboons or monkeys enter the camp area. The birds are wonderful and numerous. If you need a break from the rat-race, Vhembe camp is the place to go. Quiet and breathtakingly beautiful. If you just want to sit and read, write, photograph or paint, don't skip going there. The one missing star is that the rooms definitely need urgent maintenance and a very necessary upgrade. A decorator could renovate them without too much cost, I hope Sanparks...
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