National park · South Africa
Mapungubwe National ParkMapungubwe Nasionale Park
Enter Mapungubwe National Park: pay the entry fee (R check), take the 2‑hour Heritage Tour early (R230) or the Sunset Drive (R275) in the dry season May–Oct; avoid the hot wet months Jun–Aug for comfort.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
280 km² (108 sq mi)108 sq mi (280 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Apr–Aug
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 10Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
- Limpopo ↗Kruger's northern half and the lowveld near Phalaborwa are malaria-risk areas; check prophylaxis with a travel clinic before you go.
- Limpopo ↗Drive on the left. An international driving permit plus your home licence is the safe combination; some rental firms ask for several years' driving experience.
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Area
- 280 km² (108 sq mi)108 sq mi (280 km²)
- Official area is 280 km²; some sources list a slightly larger buffer zone (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Apr–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Mapungubwe National Park protects the archaeological hill of the ancient kingdom, sandstone formations, baobab‑dominated savanna and a rich assemblage of African wildlife.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2003Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape.
Size and age
280 km² (108 sq mi)108 sq mi (280 km²) · national park since 1990
Official area is 280 km²; some sources list a slightly larger buffer zone (check).
Why go
- Explore the archaeological hill and sandstone formations of the ancient Mapungubwe kingdom.
- Spot iconic African wildlife such as elephants, lions, giraffes and Nile crocodiles.
- Birdwatch among 400 species in a baobab‑dominated landscape.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanHot, occasional rain.
- FebHot, occasional rain.
- MarWarm, drying.
- AprDry, pleasant.
- MayDry, cooler.
- JunDry, ideal for game viewing.
- JulDry, cool.
- AugDry, cool.
- SepWarm, occasional showers.
- OctWarm, start of short rains.
- NovHot, increasing rain.
- DecHot, rain likely.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants, lions, giraffes, Nile crocodilesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| 400 bird speciesMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Musina
Drive north 70 km (43 mi) on the N1, then turn onto the R81 to the park gate.Drive north 43 mi (70 km) on the N1, then turn onto the R81 to the park gate.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Polokwane
Drive south 250 km (155 mi) on the N1, then turn onto the R81.Drive south 155 mi (250 km) on the N1, then turn onto the R81.
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Johannesburg
Fly to Musina (or drive 5 h) then follow road to gate.
≈5 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mapungubwe Hill area | Archaeological ruins, visitor centre, short heritage trail. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Savanna wildlife zone | Open plains where elephants, lions and giraffes roam. | Self‑drive or guided tours. |
| River & crocodile zone | Thick riverine forest and Nile crocodile habitats. | Guided drives only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are from SANParks official site; approximate for secondary points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | ZAR 150 (≈ US$9) | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Heritage Tour (2 h) | ZAR 230 (≈ US$14) | person | — |
| Sunset Drive (3 h) | ZAR 275 (≈ US$16) | person | — |
| Night Drive (2 h) | ZAR 275 (≈ US$16) | person | — |
| Guided Walk (3 h) | ZAR 420 (≈ US$25) | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided activities permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- R 150≈ US$9
- R 230≈ US$14
- R 275≈ US$16
- R 275≈ US$16
- R 420≈ US$25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on SANParks – Mapungubwe National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for all drives and walks beyond the heritage trail.
- Camping
- Only at designated campsites (e.g., Mazhou Camping Site).
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided braai facilities only.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
- Drone
- Not permitted without SANParks permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mopane Bush Lodge
Lodge with rooms and restaurant, 15 km (9.3 mi) from gate.Lodge with rooms and restaurant, 9.3 mi (15 km) from gate.
Near the park
Leokwe Camp
Cottages 1–4 people, R1200‑2165 per night.
Near the park
Mazhou Camping Site
Basic camping, R265‑305 per night.
Safety
Heat medium
Wildlife encounters medium
Road conditions low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre and short heritage trail are wheelchair‑friendly.
- Longer drives and walks have uneven surfaces; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use designated trails and campsites to protect fragile habitats.
- Support lodges that source food locally and manage waste responsibly.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mapungubwe National Park?
Entry is R150 per adult (2026 estimate, check). Tours are extra, e.g., Heritage Tour R230.
What are the best hikes in Mapungubwe National Park?
The Heritage Tour to the hill (2 h) and the longer Guided Walk (3 h) are the main marked routes; both need a guide.
When is the best time to visit Mapungubwe National Park?
Dry months May to October offer cooler temperatures and good wildlife viewing; avoid the hot, rainy months June to August for comfort.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only at the designated Mazhou Camping Site; other areas are closed to camping.
Are there any restrictions on photography?
Drones are prohibited without permission; otherwise standard photography is allowed.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Mapungubwe National Park
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