The Mapungubwe site is considered to be of major importance in Sub-Saharan Africa and is the most remarkable Iron Age site in the country. The artefacts found at Mapungubwe rank among the most important pieces of ancient art yet found in sub-Saharan Africa. They document the rise of the Zimbabwe culture, which was one of the most complex social and political entities in Africa during the 8th and the 9th centuries.

The culture, based partly on gold and ivory trade with the East Coast traders, is believed to have had its origins in the Limpopo Valley and subsequently spread northwards into Zimbabwe. Finds of gold artefacts, beads, burial grounds and other remains indicate that Mapungubwe was one of the major centres of this culture and bear testimony to the way of life of African peoples more than 1000 years ago.

The whole area also has a substantial amount of San Rock Art sites, dating from 15,000 years back. More recent history has seen people like Cecil Rhodes and Jan Smuts frequenting the area. Jan Smuts was in fact the first person to see the importance of the area, when he proclaimed the Dongola Botanical Reserve in 1922. The Mapungubwe National Park is the centrepiece of a proposed Trans Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA), incorporating Botswana and Zimbabwe. The total area that could potentially be included in the proposed TFCA could amount to 800,000 ha, with the potential to be even further enlarged.

The National Park was proclaimed a World Heritage Site on 5 July 2003, and is referred to as the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape. Mapungubwe itself had already being declared a National Heritage Site. Accommodation is available at the Park’s camps: Leokwe Camp, Limopo Forest Tented Camp, Thugulu Lodge, Vhembe Wilderness Camp.

R17 (SA citizens/residents), R35 (SADC nationals) R70 (Foreign adult nationals; R35 foreign child national) - proof of ID must be shown.
Central Reservations: t 012 428 9111; f 012 343 0905

Entrance: see above
Open: 6am–6pm Daily
t 015 534 2014  f 015 534 2014
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