The treasure we know today as the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site has a troubled recent history. In 1918 already the corner of our country where the borders of South Africa, Botswana (then the British protectorate of Bechuanaland) and Zimbabwe (then still the British colony of South Rhodesia) met was set aside as a botanical reserve due to the area’s unique plant communities. It soon became known as the Dongola Botanical Reserve. In March 1947, with its size much reduced to placate the local farming community, the South African government proclaimed the Dongola Game Reserve at the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers. A change in government the following year however resulted in the fledgling conservation area being deproclaimed in its entirety almost immediately. A tiny portion of it, surrounding the Mapungubwe Hill, became a provincial nature reserve, Vhembe, in 1967. Then, in 1995, with South Africa now a multiracial democracy and Botswana and Zimbabwe independent countries in their own right, and after many years of a strict military presence on the border, this arid corner of our country was once again afforded the highest level of protection as the Vhembe-Dongola National Park. In September 2004, the park was opened to visitors and renamed the Mapungubwe National Park, in recognition of the fact that this area and its rich cultural heritage centred on Mapungubwe Hill was inscribed as a World Heritage Site the year before.
Mapungubwe’s human history dates back to hundreds of years before the colonial period however and is extremely fascinating. Visits to the interpretive centre near the gate and the archeological site on Mapunguwe Hill are not to be missed. Read more about it here.
Today, Mapungubwe covers 28,000 hectares and consists of two distinct parts, with private farming land isolating the two sections. Both sections adjoin the Limpopo River; the eastern portion is rugged and hilly – with beautiful baobab trees – while the western section is flat and dominated by a very different community of plants. Mapungubwe’s an arid place, with average annual rainfall below 400mm and summer temperatures that easily soar above 40°C.
Poacher’s Corner is an especially beautiful stretch of road through the riverine forest on the southern bank of the Limpopo.
Near Poacher’s Corner is Zebra Pan, itself a delightful place to park your vehicle and gawk at the constant stream of wildlife
The Maloutswa Pan and Hide in the west of the Park is yet another great spot to spend a few peaceful hours waiting for the birds and animals to come quench their thirst within easy reach of your lens.
Set atop a hill several lookout decks have been constructed from which to view the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers where the borders of the three countries meet. Near the car park there are also a few picnic tables and braai (barbeque) stands which are very popular with visitors to Mapungubwe.
The Treetop Walk on the bank of the Limpopo River is another place visitors to Mapungubwe National Park should not miss.
Mapunbuwe is home to a rich variety of wildlife, with records indicating a tally of 34 fish species, as many as 36 kinds of frogs, up to 75 species of reptiles, 460+ species of birds and 94 species of mammals, including the famed “Big 5“.
The South African National Parks provides an assortment of self-catering accommodation options in Mapunguwe National Park, ranging from camping sites at Mazhou in the riverine forest along the Limpopo River to the top-of-the-range Tshugulu Lodge. Guided drives and walks, including visits to the Mapungubwe archeological site, can be booked at reception, while there are several gravel roads available for exploration in your own vehicle (even more if you have a 4×4). Simple meals and firewood is available from the interpretive centre, but the nearest available fuel, and other services, to the Park is in the towns of Alldays or Musina, both about 70km from the gate.
Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site lies right at South Africa’s northernmost corner, roughly 470km north of our capital Pretoria.
Location of Mapungubwe National Park (Google Maps)
DeWetsWild 
What a great overview of the park – the arid landscapes and rock formations and incredible baobabs, the Limpopo with so much water, and your (and Joubert’s) impressive photos of animals and birds. Too many favourites to pick any in particular out. This park and Marakele have long been on our list to visit but we have not made it there yet. (We had a trip booked but had to cancel it when the Covid pandemic emerged … )
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I still remember how excited I was to hear of your plans to visit Marakele and Mapungubwe, Carol, and then later feeling so disappointed that those plans had to be cancelled. I was really looking forward to reading about your perspectives and opinions of two places that are very close to our hearts.
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You have a very good memory! We have no such plans currently but I am keen to visit both parks.
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Wat ‘n pragtige plek! Die rotsformasies en al die wild en voels , klink mos soos ‘n paradys! Pragtige foto’s Dries en Joubert!
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Baie dankie, Aletta. Dit is regtig n spesiale plek en ek is baie bly om te weet die fotos het so stukkie daarvan uitgebeeld.
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Sjoe, dis regtig ‘n baie mooi park … en so ver weg van alles (nes ons daarvan hou). En wat ‘n verskeidenheid van diere, blommetjies en mooi natuur tonele. Julle het sulke mooi foto’s hier geneem en ons bekend gestel aan baie verskillende fauna en flora. Dankie, dit was lekker om saam met julle hier te kuier!
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n Baie spesiale hoekie van ons land hierdie, Corna. Defnitief n besoek werd as julle ooit in daardie geweste sou wees.
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Interesting to read of the history
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I’m just glad we corrected the errors of the past, Sue!
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😊
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What an absolute treasure, Dries. You and Joubert have done it justice with your photos. I bet you can’t wait to go back.
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You are spot on, Tracy! In a country so rich in special wild places, the diary gets full very quickly.
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Lekker weer saam gekuier met julle. Ai, wat sal ek tog sonder jul Natuur uitstappies maak. Dankie weereens vir die beskrywing van hoe en wanneer als plaasgevind het. Eks ook bly daar word nou regtig beskerm.
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Dis vir ons ook n plesier om sulke spesiale plekke met julle te deel, Ineke. Baie dankie.
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You have convinced me to add it to my bucket list!
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I am very glad to hear that, Anne!
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I am glad it has been given protection as it appears to be a wonderful place with so much plant and animal diversity. Fabulous photos! Joubert shows us his skill with birds in flight again with the vulture. All the photos are lovely.
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Thank you very much, Anne, Mapungubwe certainly is most deserving of its protected status.
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‘was once again afforded the highest level of protection’–as it always should have been. So glad for this, Dries. Wonderful photos, too!
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I suppose we have to judge the mistakes of the past in the context where they were made and be grateful that the errors were recognized and corrected, hey Lois?
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Always interesting views of your parks. Thanks for sharing the beauty of your continent and the wildlife that lives there.
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We’re very glad we are able to share it with people as appreciative as you, thanks John!
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