Mapungubwe National Park: Preserving History, Culture and Nature (1)

MMapungubwe National Park, located in South Africa's northern border where it meets Botswana and Zimbabwe, is a breathtaking haven of nature and history.

Its stunning scenery is a blend of savannah, sandstone formations, ancient floodplains, and unique forests, creating a natural stage for an abundance of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, white rhinos, captivating predators like hyenas, leopards, and lions, various antelope species, and a diverse range of birds.

Beyond its natural splendours, Mapungubwe holds a profound historical significance. In the 13th century, it was the centre of a rich, complex society, the first kingdom in South Africa, and the precursor to the Zimbabwe civilisation.

Today, the remains of this remarkable civilisation - palace sites, settlement areas, and two capital sites - stand as the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape. This area was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003,

Prospecting is prohibited from placing within the property and the buffer zone while any development with a potential impact on the property must be subjected to an environmental impact assessment.

At its peak, the kingdom of Mapungubwe, meaning "place of the stone of wisdom", was the largest of its kind on the African continent, home to around 5,000 people.

The park opened its doors to the public in September 2004, offering a thrilling wildlife experience and the chance to explore Mapungubwe Mountain and its cultural treasures. These include the golden rhinoceros, a gold sceptre, and a gold bowl, found in the excavation of twenty-three graves atop Mapungubwe Hill.

Known as the 'place of jackals', the hill is a towering sandstone formation with cliffs and a plateau, offering a spectacular view of the surrounding landscapes.

To preserve the integrity of the natural and cultural resources, the Park is maintained and managed in a sustainable manner