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.
WildlifeThe highlight of the parks mammalian fauna is obviously the Cape mountain zebra after which the park is named. These zebra differ from the plains or Burchells 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 parks 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.
Important Notice 1. Accommodation rates do not include
Conservation Fees which are payable at the entrance gates.
2. Please ensure that you are familiar with the
Rules & Regulations of National Parks before making a booking.
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.
Family Cottage (FA4)
2 bedrooms, each with 2 single beds
Arrivals after 18:00 only if arranged, add. cost
Kitchen
Wc and bath
Guest House (GH6)
1 bedroom with 2 single beds
2 bedrooms, each with 1 double bed
3 bathrooms, each with w/c, basin and bath
Arrivals after 18:00 only if arranged, add. cost
Kitchen
Minor roadworks in progress
Camping
Arrivals after 18:00 only if arranged, add. cost
Powerpoint
Activities:
Activities in the Mountain Zebra National Park include guided morning and evening game drives, cheetah tracking, 4x4 trails, morning walks, self-walk options, viewing San Cave Paintings, swimming pool, picnic sites and more.
Please note that all bookings for activities are done at the Park's reception.
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
If visitors need to arrive or depart outside of gate hours, a fee will be charged. Arrangements should be made in advance with Reception.
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).
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