A lovely and little-known national park with excellent birdlife, plenty of baobabs, and stunning landscapes. Definitely worth staying for several days to experience the sublime peace. Staff is very friendly and competent (though sometimes bogged down by SANParks' ridiculous admin). Mapungubwe hill at sunset is a real treat, guide Johannes was a pleasure to walk with. Make sure you spend time at the Maloutswa bird hide in the Western section. Leokwe Rest Camp is beautiful and wild. Very comfortable cottages but make sure you bring everything you need, there are no amenities within 50 km. Museum very interesting and architecturally impressive.

As a lifelong amateur archaeologist, Mapungubwe has always held a fascination for me. When we finally made it to this iconic location, I was charmed by the inspiring architecture, we loved the spacious, modern, comfortable and well-equipped Leokwe Camp; we enjoyed the River Boardwalk and the look-out points where we had our lunch; though an extra fee was levied, we had an interesting time at the museum - but my BIG complaint is that nowhere did we get a viewpoint from where we could actually see the main attraction which is after all the focus of this National Park. Oh yes, we could pay an extra R217 to get a ride along a road which no ordinary mortal is permitted to drive; then one may walk 450 metres and climb 150 steps - irrespective of whether you are in a wheelchair or on crutches, or like myself, you walk with great difficulty - when all you want is to get a look at the hill about which you have read hundreds of pages in learned tomes. I say: SANPARKS get your act together, build a road for the public to use; it is after all Mapungubwe National Park.

Mapungubwe is home to an extraordinary archaeological find: the largest kingdom in Southern Africa. It's history is fascinating. Sadly the park is run by tired, unenthusiastic staff who couldn't really be bothered if you were there or not. From reception staff to the restaurant to the manager Conrad Strauss. This place has so much potential but for now it ticks over like a 64 year waiting out his retirement.
HOWEVER there is a redeeming feature; Cedric Sethlako the cultural heritage guide who knows the history inside out. Wonderful to walk with him up the mountain and learn about the people who lived here 1000 years ago.
And don't stay here. Head to Leshiba Wilderness for the night and be treated like royalty.

This National Park is 70kms away from the nearest town, and so really is in the middle of nowhere.
It is beautiful with so many things to see. Although they only have 4 out of the Big 5, you won't be disappointed. If you take your time and drive around, you'll find this park has so much more to offer.
The confluence is beautiful. The Limpopo river was all but dry, and we stood watching cattle and their herdsmen walking across the dry riverbed from Zimbabwe/Botswana in search of water.
Standing in one country looking across at another two was amazing. We drove up there for sunrise, but it was a bit cloudy. It didn't detract from the beauty though.
The waterholes were lovely with cattle that had crossed the riverbed, drinking alongside antelope and lots of birds. There were elephants, and zebra drinking there.
There is a 4x4 track that is a real bone shaker, and will rattle your fillings, but such good fun..
If you like geology, then you'll love the rock formations with the strangest trees growing out of them.
You cannot do this park in a day and fully appreciate it.