Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt and Insight guides to South Africa.
Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many Africa guidebooks, including the Bradt and Insight guides to South Africa.
Philip is the author of many Africa guidebooks, including the Bradt and Insight guides to South Africa.
Philip is the author of the Bradt and Insight guides to South Africa.
Mountain Zebra National Park is the best place to see the endangered endemic Cape mountain zebra. Sightings are guaranteed on a day visit. The game drive circuit takes you through stunning mountain scenery with several viewpoints. Black rhino, lion, buffalo and cheetah are also present, but sightings are hit-and-miss.
The main attraction is the ±1,000 Cape mountain zebras, easily spotted in the open grassland. Other animals usually encountered include typical Karoo ungulates such as red hartebeest, black wildebeest, eland and springbok. Black rhino, lion and buffalo have been reintroduced. Cheetah tracking by car and on foot is offered as a guided activity, but generally the park is not about spotting predators or the Big Five.
The surrounding Bankberg Mountains are a magnificent backdrop to the park. The circuit takes in several viewpoints overlooking the rugged landscape of mountains, grassy plains, bushy hillsides and rocky gorges, bisected by the densely wooded banks of the Wilgerboom River.
Weather & Climate
Mountain Zebra is a cold place during winter (May to September), particularly at the park’s higher altitudes. The mercury really slumps in June and July, when sub-zero temperatures are not uncommon. Summer (October to April) is a time of warmer weather and rain, although showers rather than downpours are the norm.
The park’s namesake animals can be observed year-round, so weather may become the deciding factor in the timing of a visit. In that sense, although it may seem a strange recommendation – the Wet season (October to April) – is 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 emerge.
Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer whose work is featured in many well-known guidebooks and magazines.
One of the last retreats for the endangered Mountain zebra
3/5
This small but scenic park, tucked away in a remote corner of the Karoo, is great to see some of South Africa’s endemics. Most notable is the Cape Mountain zebra, which was saved from extinction with the proclamation of Mountain Zebra...
The Mountain Zebra National Park was recommended to us by people we met in another park. We weren’t too convinced, but decided to go see for ourselves. What a pleasant surprise. The park is surrounded by beautiful mountains, with a...