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Mountain Zebra National Park
Cradock, Eastern Cape,
South Africa
| Situated about 25 km west of Cradock, a sanctuary for the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra, but also home to various antelope species, caracal and over 200 bird-species. Serviced and equipped, with swimming pool, shop, restaurant, game-viewing and 3-day hi |
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The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys, and has become an entrancing preserve for the Cape mountain zebra.
The proclamation of the park in 1937 saved these animals from extinction, and currently their population stands at 350.
The park contains a rich variety of plant species and in spring the veld is covered with flowers. Fynbos and renosterveld bush flourish in the temperate climate where the rains come mainly during early summer and winter.
Wildlife
The highlight of the park’s mammalian fauna is obviously the Cape mountain zebra after which the park is named. These zebra differ from the plains or Burchell’s zebra, by having narrower stripes, absence of shadow stripes and orange facial colouration.
Mountain reedbuck and grey rhebok frequent the higher areas, whilst caracal occupy the niche of primary predator.
Other noticeable species of the mountain plateau are the red hartebeest, eland and springbok. In the more wooded valleys visitors should search for kudu, and two of the park’s more recent reintroductions, the African buffalo and the black rhino.
Facilities
Fully licensed a la carte restaurant, also serving light refreshments.
Shop where curios and basic commodities may be purchased.
Two picnic sites with braai facilities.
Swimming pool for day visitors at picnic site.
Barbecue and ablution facilities for day visitors.
Swimming pool for resident guests only.
Petrol and diesel are available in the Rest Camp.
Conservation Fees
Please note rates do not include daily conservation levies. Please see details of Conservation Fees
Rooms
All accommodation is serviced daily and provided with bedding, towels and soap.
Doornhoek Guest House, a restored Victorian homestead, accommodating 6 persons, three bedrooms, en suite bathrooms (bath), fully equipped kitchen.
Four-bed family cottages, each with two bedrooms, bathroom and partially equipped kitchen.
Camping
Caravan and camp sites with communal ablution facilities. Camp sites equipped with 220V power points.
A maximum of six persons, one caravan with a side tent and one vehicle, or one tent and one vehicle, or one autovilla or one motorised caravan will be permitted per site.
The camping area is sited on a mixture of earth and grass. Lawn-type grass struggles to grow in the park conditions.
Activities
Please note that all bookings for activities are done at the Park's reception.
* Game viewing from own vehicle.
* Guided game drives (booking essential).
* Picnic sites.
* Impofu 3-day hiking trail: R160 per person (booking essential) with accommodation in two overnight huts. *** The Impofu Hiking Trail has been closed until the end of February 2010 due to upgrading of the trail.***
* San cave paintings: (booking essential).
* Short walking trails (There is no extra charge for these walking trails but visitors must inform reception of their starting time and sign an indemnity form):
o Imbila trail (1km, 20 min) and the Black Eagle trail (3km, 2 hrs) start next to the swimming pool.
o Idwala hiking trail (10km) long starts at the Rest Camp and passes the famous Big Rock.
* 4x4 Trails
o Sonnenrust 4x4 Trail: this 14.2km trail starts on the Ubejane Loop and ends on the Link Road (which joins Ubejane to Rooiplaat Loops). It is situated in the north-western area of the Park, skirting the base of Saltpeterskop and ending on a plateau with scenic views.
o Juriesdam 4x4 Trail: this 10km trail starts and ends on the main entrance road into the Park. It explores the eastern plateau area of the Park.
o NB: No booking necessary as the trail is open during the normal operating hours of the Park. Only 4x4 vehicles may be used on the trails.
How to get there
Mountain Zebra National Park is situated about 12km from the town of Cradock in the Eastern Cape. Cradock is accessible via the N10 highway and the Park is situated on the R61 between Cradock and Graaff-Reinet. There are signposts within the town of Cradock to direct you to the Park.
Gate Hours
1 October to 31 March: 07:00 - 19:00
1 April to 30 September: 07:00 - 18:00
Approximate travelling distances:
* 3 hours from Port Elizabeth (domestic airport)
* 9 hours from Cape Town (international airport)
* 9 hours from Johannesburg (international airport)
* 4 hours from Bloemfontein (domestic airport)
* 9 hours from Durban (domestic airport)
Health & Climate
During summer the average maximum temperature is 23.1ºC – 28.4ºC while the average minimum is 5.6ºC -13.6ºC. The winter average maximum 16.2ºC – 22.7ºC and the average minimum is 0.05ºC -7.8ºC.
The winter months receive occasional snowfall, which falls mostly on the higher peaks - the southern mountain range - of the park. Frost occurs May to October.
Annual rainfall is about 400 mm with the majority (70%) falling in the summer months (December to February).
Click here for Rates/Bookings |
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Location: Cradock,
Eastern Cape |
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