Mapungubwe is a culturally significant area in the far north of South Africa. It is located in the northern tip of Limpopo, where the South African, Botswanean and Zimbabwean borders meet. The closest well-developed city is Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo and another town in the area is Musina (Messina), the northern-most town in South Africa, lying on the Zimbabwean border.
Mapungubwe is notable for the wide array of game reserves, and Mapungubwe Hill, the site of an ancient civilisation, which lies within the Mapungubwe National Park itself. The landscape in the area will give you a real sense of being in the bush, with a combination of riverine vegetation, sandstone rock formations and mopane woodlands.
This type of vegetation is home to naturally occurring wildlife such as elephant, white rhinos, lions, leopards, giraffe and other antelope – a full accoutrement of African animals. There are also 400 bird species to be found in the Mapungubwe region, including the kori bustard, tropical boubou and pel’s fishing owl. In short, Mapungubwe is the perfect location for an African safari.
Mapungubwe Hill is, of course, the other important reason to visit the area. The hill, now a World Heritage Site, was once home to an extraordinarily advanced iron-age civilisation that was spread out across the current day Limpopo province, southern Zimbabwe and Botswana. This civilisation became wealthy from trading with places as far afield as Egypt, China and India.
Visiting Mapungubwe is no doubt a rewarding experience, for both history buffs and wildlife fanatics. If it your first time though, pack according to the weather, which tends to be extremely hot and dry in summer with days punctuated by brief down pours, and winters are sunny and cool, becoming chilly at night.
