POLOKWANE – Limpopo has three SanParks wildlife conservation destinations, the Marakele National Park, the Mapungubwe National Park and the Kruger National Park.
Marakele National Park
Marakele is situated in the heart of the Waterberg mountain, and as its Tswana name suggests, is a place of sanctuary for an impressive variety of wildlife.
This is due to its location in the transitional zone between the dry western and moister eastern regions of South Africa. The park is characterised by contrasting yet majestic mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills and deep valleys. Some of the plant species to be found are yellow wood, cedar trees, cycads of which are up to five metres in height and tree ferns.
All the large game species including elephants and rhino and the big cats are to be found at Marakele. There are also a wide range of bird species. What is probably regarded as the largest colony in the world of the endangered Cape vultures, more than 800 breeding pairs, have settled at Marakele.
Areas of special interest at Marakele include visitors taking the narrow tar which will lead them to the top of the Waterberg massif.
Here Marakele visitors will be in awe of the spectacular views and scenery. It is also close in the proximity of the famed vulture colony with these large
birds soaring past at close quarters.
Things to explore among others at Marakele are the African elephant, especially the Thuli elephants which were released in 1999.
Large predators like leopards, brown hyenas and now also lions are also to be seen in the park. There are also ample kudu’s to be found and visitors should especially look out for the kudu bulls with their spiralled shaped horns. Other antelopes to be on the lookout for are reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, eland and tsessebe.
Mapungubwe National Park
The Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site is the ideal location for anyone interested in the park’s wildlife and birds, to those in search of serenity, identity and the extraordinary history of this world heritage site.
Sipping sundowners at the confluence of the legendary Limpopo and Shashe Rivers while watching eagles soar over Botswana and Zimbabwe’s skies, with the echo of elephant trumpets filling the air are among the amazing things one can experience at Mapungubwe.
Other interesting areas include the Lost City at the Mapungubwe Hill, 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 a rich thorough trade with faraway places like Egypt, India and China. This is also the location where archaeologists excavated the famous Golden Rhino and other evidence of a once wealthy African kingdom.
Sandstone formations, Mopani woodlands and unique riverine forest and baobab trees form an astounding, scenic backdrop for the rich variety of animal life. Species that occur naturally in the area are elephant, giraffe, white rhino, eland, gemsbok and numerous other antelope species.
If lucky visitors might spot predators like lions, leopards and hyenas. Keen bird watchers can tick off 400 species, including the kori bustard, the tropical boubou and the pel’s fishing owl.
The Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre, which is built near the main gate of the park, won the Building of the Year contest in 2009 and is home to the famous Golden Rhino. The centre also provides both day and over-night visitors the opportunity of a tour, showcasing the amazing landscape this national park has to offer.
Lastly, the Iron Age civilisation of Mapungubwe was not limited by the Limpopo River and animals have always been able to wander around the area of the present-day South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. This is why South Africa signed a memorandum of understanding with these to neighbouring countries, setting out principles for the Limpopo-Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Area.
Kruger National Park
This is where near two million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms with historical and archaeological sites. The world-renowned Kruger National Park was established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park is rich in a diversity of life forms and is regarded as a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies.
Being called the flagship of the South African national parks, and rightfully so, the Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals.
Man’s interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries, from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park’s natural assets.
Why not give them a call?
Marakele National Park: (014) 777 6928/29/30/31 or send an e-mail to sipho.zulu@sanparks.org.
Mapungubwe National Park: (015) 534 7923/24 or send an e-mail to mapungubwe@sanparks.org.
Kruger National Park: (012) 428 9111 or 082 233 9111 or alternatively send an e-mail to reservations@sanparks.org.
