How to get there Air: Closest airport is Polokwane, 200 km from the park. Car hire: There is an Avis office in Musina. Coaches: Daily coach service to Musina from Gauteng.
Climate The climate is semi-arid with mean annual rainfall ranging from 350 400 mm. Rainfall is highly variable and usually falls during the summer months. Extended periods of below average rainfall occur. In summer temperatures sometimes rise to 45 C. The winters are mild.
Day visitors Payment at the gate.
Contact Information For emergencies within the park, contact Reception during office hours on tel and fax no. +27 (0)15 534 2014. The closest doctor and hospital is in Musina.
Official hours Reception: From 08:00 in the morning to 16:00 in the afternoon.
Gate opening and closing times From 06:00 to 18:00
Check-in / check-out Check-in is from 12:00 to 18:00 and check-out is before 10:00.
Internal Road Network Approximately 35 km of roads are suitable for normal sedan vehicles. A further 100 km is accessible to all terrain (4x4) vehicles.
Vehicle Restrictions No caravans are allowed in the park, due to the nature of the roads.
Conservation 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.
Scientific services The area has tremendous potential for research, both cultural and biological. Currently there is an Elephant project and numerous cultural research projects.
Facts & Figures: Visitor numbers: Visitor numbers are fairly low at this stage. Land use type: Tourism, hunting. Local population (within the park): None. Staff employees: 35 permanent. Environmental issues: Degradation of the riverine forest, over utilization of the Limpopo river by agricultural farmers.
Activities Night drives: To be provided from 2005 onwards Bush braai: To be provided from 2005 onwards
Weather Summer can be hot, but bearable and enjoyable if planned correctly. Early summer mornings and afternoons are the most rewarding in the park, for birds, trees and game. Winters are mild. There is on average 10 rainy days per year.
