Overview–southafrica

Mapungubwe National Park

Mapungubwe is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has both cultural and environmental significance. Although wildlife is not as much of a highlight as in other parks, the scenery is spectacular, and Mapungubwe Hill is the site of an ancient civilization. Elephants, white rhinos, and several antelope species are regularly spotted.

Best Time to Visit

A good time to visit Mapungubwe is from March to May after the rains when the air is free of dust, and the heat is less oppressive than in the middle of summer. Rainfall is scarce most of the year, but when it does occur, it’s during the summer. As the park is very dry, wildlife viewing doesn’t depend much on the seasons.

May to September –Winter

Daytime temperatures are pleasant
It is sunny and the sky is blue
Nights and early mornings are chilly
The landscape is dry and dusty

October to April –Summer

Days are beautiful and bright with stunning scenery
Arrival of migratory birds
High temperatures are hard to bear

Scenery

Mapungubwe’s dramatic landscape is dominated by big sandstone formations. The arid environment is home to a surprisingly large variety of trees. There are at least 24 species of acacia, but it is the enormous baobab trees that steal the show. One of the highlights of the park is the viewpoint over the confluence of the Limpopo and Shahe rivers – the place where three countries meet: South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Mar

April

May

Jan

Feb

Nov

Dec

Oct

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: May to September (Winter)

High Season

From: Never (The park never gets busy)

Size

From: 280km² / 108mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Mapungubwe is not primarily a typical safari destination. Its cultural and historical attractions are what it is known for. It is, however, a place with real wilderness appeal. A drive around the small wildlife viewing circuit will offer good sightings of a variety of species. Elephant, blue wildebeest, Burchell's zebra, blue duiker and warthog are all quite common.

Wildlife Highlights

Klipspringer are particularly at home in the dramatic landscape with rocky outcrops. They can be seen standing in pairs resembling little statues on top of a boulder. Chacma baboon also love to keep guard on top of the sandstone cliffs. Eland and red hartebeest can be found on the grassy plains while greater kudu keep to the thickets.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing in Mapungubwe doesn’t depend much on the seasons, but it is slightly better in the driest months of June through September. These months are also most pleasant in terms of temperatures as it gets incredibly hot during the summer months from October to May.

General Wheather

The climate in Mapungubwe National Park is semi-arid with annual rainfall of around 350mm/12in. Rainfall is highly variable but falls entirely during the summer months from October to April. On average, there are 10 rainy days per year, and extended periods of less-than-average rainfall occur. In summer, peak temperatures rise to 45°C/113°F. Winters are mild.

Winter–May to September

Winter is a time of very little (if any) rain or humidity and temperatures are fairly mild. It is much less oppressive than during the summer months. Days are sunny with virtually no clouds. It is a pleasant time of year.

May – A cooling trend develops as summer comes to an end. Average temperatures are mild at around 10°C/50°F in the morning and 27°C/81° in the afternoon.
June, July & August – Chilly mornings are typical during the coldest months of the year. The nighttime temperature routinely drops to about 9°C/48°F, from the average daily high of 24°C/75°F.
September – The slowly climbing temperatures of September signal the coming of spring. Afternoon temperatures are around 28°C/82°F, up from a morning average of 15°C/59°F.

Summer–October to April

The heat of summer can be overwhelming, and it is made worse by the fact that rain is rare and somewhat sporadic. When it does rain, it is a very welcome break and does a great deal to settle the dust.

October & November – The first rains will come as a relief after months of dry heat. Temperatures are between 19°C/66°F in the morning and 32°C/90°F in the afternoon.
December, January & February – This is an extremely hot time of year. The average temperature in the afternoon is 35°C/95°F, but peak temperatures may rise to 45°C/113°F or higher. Early morning is the nicest time of day with temperatures around 19°C/66°F.
March & April – It cools down, and temperatures are a bit milder at 33°C/91°F in the afternoon. Mornings are still pleasant at 15°C/59°F. The last rain of the season can be expected, but it is mostly dry.

Prons

Beautiful scenery
Visit to the 'Lost City' from the Iron Age available
Stunning museum and interpretive center
Excellent viewpoints into surrounding countries
Great birding facilities including a treetop walk and hide
Good self-catering accommodation for self-drive visitors
Off-the-beaten-track destination
Cultural tour and night drive available

Cons

No high-end accommodation available in the park

How To Get There

Mapungubwe National Park is located about 520km/323mi north of Johannesburg near the border with Botswana. Mapungubwe is mostly a self-drive destination. Only 35km/21mi of road network in the park is accessible to normal 2WD vehicles, and a further 100km/62mi is accessible to all-terrain 4WD vehicles. The drive from Johannesburg takes at least 6 hours*.

Most visitors enter the country at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. You could rent a 4WD in Johannesburg and drive from there.

The closest airport is in Polokwane, 200km/124mi from the park. It is possible to take a connecting domestic flight from Johannesburg to Polokwane, but car rentals will be more expensive there.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), and what tickets would cost.