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National Parks
Mapungubwe National Park
Out of the mist of the mysterious past rises the Mapungubwe Dongola National Park. Located at the confluence of the mighty Shashi and Limpopo Rivers, this envisaged transfrontier park embracing South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe gives tangible proof by way of the rich fossil deposits, Bushman rock art and gold artefacts of ancient civilisations that once flourished here. The giant baobab trees, riverine forests and associated flood plains provide an intriguing mix of habitat for a tremendous diversity of creatures, among them the rare Pel's fishing owl. Here herds of elephant and buffalo roam, and the roar of the hunting lion, chills your blood as it stills the night. (This is currently in a development phase).
Its location puts it at the meeting point of Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The area is intended to become a Transfrontier Park linking Vhembe-Dongola with Botswana's Tuli Block and the Tuli Safari Area of Zimbabwe.
Most of Africa's big game still occurs in the area and the bird, reptile, invertebrate and plant diversity is still rich. While the park currently has limited facilities, visitors to the area can make use of privately run facilities.
The highlight of the park is the Mapungubwe Archaeological Site. This location was a precursor to Great Zimbabwe and Thulamela. It was also the location where the Gold Rhino and many other artefacts were uncovered.
Visualise a potter, laboriously shaping a bowl by hand. Imagine the sounds of a goldsmith intently hammering away as ht fashions an intricate piece of jewellery. From the flat-topped koppie, look down on a landscape dotted with mashatu and boabab trees. Watch as waterbuck graze in the riverine bush and be amazed by the expressive rock art and the rare Pel's fishing owl.
The Vhembe-Dongola National Park, home to a once flourishing iron age settlement at Mapungubwe and situated at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashi rivers, is still in the process of being developed and, when proclaimed, will form part of the proposed transfrontier park that will also incorporate areas from Zimbabwe and Botswana.
The Golden Rhino
The famous Golden Rhino was a symbol of power of the King of the Mapungubwe people, who inhabited the Limpopo River Valley close to the confluence with the Shashe River around a millennium ago. It was the first southern African kingdom, and derived its power from control of trade with the East Coast and into the Indian Ocean commercial network.
This kingdom was the forerunner of the Zimbabwe civilisation and, at its peak, appears to have had 5000 people living around Mapungubwe Hill, where their "sacred" leader lived in seclusion from his people.
The Golden Rhino lay in the grave from the time when Mapungubwe was abandoned, probably due to climatic changes, around 1300, until it was found again in 1932 and excavated by Pretoria University.
The rhino (presumably a black rhino although the Golden Rhino only has one horn) was probably chosen as a symbol of power because of its ferocious nature. It is still a leadership symbol among the Shona of Zimbabwe, who are descended from the Mapungubwe and Zimbabwe civilisations.
The Golden Rhino and the story of Mapungubwe is a powerful reminder that South Africa's cultural heritage is far richer, and goes back much further, than is generally realised. It is likely to become a symbol of the African Renaissance, of rediscovering the African heritage for the benefit of future generations.
The Golden Rhino is 22 cm long and was made of gold foil tacked on to a wooden core. The same method was used for the Golden Sceptre and the Golden Bowl, which were found in the same grave on Mapungubwe Hill.
RESERVATIONS
Telephone Number: +27 (0)12 428 9111
Fax number: +27 (0)12 343 0905
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