Mountain Zebra National Park is a little-visited scenic gem situated in the Eastern Cape interior near Cradock (renamed Nxuba in 2026). It was created in 1937 to protect the , a subspecies then threatened with imminent extinction. Mountain zebras are now common in the park and sightings are guaranteed. Other wildlife includes , lion, buffalo and cheetah.
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Best Time To Go
- October to April (Warmer)
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High Season
- Never (The park gets very few visitors)
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Size
- 284km² / 110mi²
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Altitude
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1,087-1,828m /3,566-5,997ft
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Pros & Cons
- Sanctuary for the
- Three of the (, lion, buffalo) are present
- Beautiful highland scenery
- Affordable guided activities include cheetah tracking and
- Off the beaten track with few visitors
- Malaria-free
- Small circuit
- No elephant or leopard
Wildlife
The park supports around 1,000 , small herds of which are easily seen in the grassland. Typical such as , , , and are also usually encountered. , lion and buffalo have been reintroduced but sightings are erratic. This is the only South African national park to offer guided cheetah tracking, which almost invariably gets you close to these streamlined cats.
More about Mountain Zebra NP’s wildlifeScenery
The Bankberg Mountains provide a magnificent backdrop to the main wildlife-viewing circuit, which incorporates several viewpoints overlooking a rugged landscape of mountains, grassy plains, bushy hillsides and rocky gorges. Vegetation types are grassland, thicket and -rich scrub. The park is bisected by the densely wooded banks of the Wilgerboom (Willowtree) River, which feeds a couple of small but pretty dams.
Activities
The main activity is . Roads north of the rest camp are most productive for wildlife viewing. There’s less wildlife on the southern Kranskop Loop, but the mountain scenery is truly spectacular. A recommended guided activity is cheetah tracking, which should be booked at least a day in advance. Guided and self-guided walks are also available, while visitors with a suitable vehicle can explore a rugged 4x4 trail.
Weather & Climate
Mountain Zebra NP can be a cold place during winter (May to September), particularly at higher altitudes. The mercury really drops in June and July, when sub-zero temperatures are not uncommon at night. Summer (October to April) is a time of warmer weather and rain, although showers rather than downpours are the norm.
More about the weather and climateBest Time To Visit
The park’s namesake animals can be observed year-round, so weather may be the deciding factor in the timing of a visit. In that sense, although it may seem a strange recommendation, the wet summer months (October to April) are your best bet. You’ll be nice and warm at this time of year, the rain is pretty minimal, and this is also when zebra foals are born.
More about the best time to visit