Mapungubwe National Park
Getting There
South Africa Parks
Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.
Mapungubwe National Park is located about 520km/323mi north of Johannesburg near the border with Botswana. Mapungubwe is mostly a self-drive destination. Only 35km/21mi of road network in the park is accessible to normal 2WD vehicles, and a further 100km/62mi is accessible to all-terrain 4WD vehicles. The drive from Johannesburg takes at least 6 hours*.
Most visitors enter the country at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. You could rent a 4WD in Johannesburg and drive from there.
The closest airport is in Polokwane, 200km/124mi from the park. It is possible to take a connecting domestic flight from Johannesburg to Polokwane, but car rentals will be more expensive there.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Airlines & Ticket Prices
Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), and what tickets would cost.
Domestic Flights
Domestic flights to Polokwane can be booked with SA Airlink.
Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements
Please check our Getting There – South Africa page to learn more about passport, visa, COVID-19 and other entry requirements.
