Mountain Zebra National Park
Overview
South Africa Parks
By Philip Briggs
Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including 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.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
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.
Scenery
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.
Best Time to Visit
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.
