Mountain Zebra National Park

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This page displays all information relevant to this park/camp, except the following:

• Availability


• Reservations

Introduction

The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys, and have become an entrancing preserve for the Cape mountain zebra.

The proclamation of the park in 1937 saved these animals from extinction, and currently their population stands at 300 where they roam 28 412 hectares of land. Other mammals found here include the cheetah, Cape buffalo, black rhino, eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest and gemsbok, while mountain reedbuck and grey rhebok frequent the higher areas. In adddition, the caracal occupies the niche of primary predator.

6 things to seek

• Black rhinoceros
• Cape buffalo
• Cheetah
• Cape mountain zebra
• Blue crane
• Denham's bustard

Accommodation

• All accommodation is serviced daily and provided with bedding, towels and soap.
• Doornhoek Guest House, a restored Victorian homestead, accommodating 6 persons, three bedrooms, en suite bathrooms (bath), fully equipped kitchen.
• Four-bed family cottages, each with two bedrooms, bathroom and fully equipped kitchen.

Camping

• Caravan and camp sites with communal ablution facilities. Camp sites equipped with 220V power points.
• A maximum of six persons, one caravan with a side tent and one vehicle, or one tent and one vehicle, or one autovilla or one motorised caravan will be permitted per site.
• The camping area is sited on a mixture of earth and grass. Lawn-type grass struggles to grow in the park conditions.

Mountain Huts

The Umthombo Mountain Hut (meaning “Fountain”) and Bakana Mountain Hut (meaning: “Beacon”) can be booked for an overnight stay via the Park Reception (Tel (048) 881 2427 / 3434, email: mountainzebra@sanparks.org). The huts are ideal for a secluded getaway and to experience the tranquil Karoo atmosphere. These huts can only be accessed with 4x4 or 2x4 (with diff lock) vehicles.

• Each hut has two bedrooms, one with double bed and one with two single beds, and a “hikers bedroom” with 6 bunk beds (own bedding required).
• The kitchen is equipped with a gas stove, solar-powered fridge/freezer and cutlery, crockery & cooking utensils.
• A hot water shower and toilet are located outside the hut.
• There is an outside braai area as well as indoor braai area.
• Tariffs: R500 for the first two people plus R100 for each additional adult and R50 for each additional child (valid until 31 October 2010).

To view the accommodation prices, refer to Tariffs

Activities & Facilities

Activities

Please note that all bookings for activities are done at the Park's reception.

• Guided Drives & Activties on Foot are available: Read complete list that includes tariffs.
• 4x4 Trails
  • Sonnenrust 4x4 Trail: this Grade Two 14.2km trail starts on the Ubejane Loop and ends on the Link Road (which joins Ubejane to Rooiplaat Loops). It is situated in the north-western area of the Park, skirting the base of Saltpeterskop and ending on a plateau with scenic views.
  • Juriesdam 4x4 Trail: this Grade Two 10km trail starts and ends on the main entrance road into the Park. It explores the eastern plateau area of the Park.
  • Umngeni 4x4 Trail: this Grade Four 8km trail takes about 1 hour to complete and starts on the Park’s m+ain entrance road just north-west of the restcamp area.
  • NB: No booking necessary as the trail is open during the normal operating hours of the Park. Only 4x4 vehicles may be used on the trails.

Facilities

• Fully licensed a la carte restaurant, also serving light refreshments.
• Shop where curios and basic commodities may be purchased.
• Two picnic sites with braai facilities.
• Swimming pool for day visitors at picnic site.
• Barbecue and ablution facilities for day visitors.
• Swimming pool for resident guests only.
• Petrol and diesel are available in the Rest Camp.

Conference Facilities

• Full conference facilities for a maximum of 30 people.
• Catering facilities available.
• Reservations: Tel: +27 12 426-5025
• Fax: +27 12 426-5488

Wedding Receptions

• Facilities available for small wedding receptions, maximum 20 people.
• Venue is adjacent to the Doornhoek Guest Cottage.
• The venue should be booked together with the guest cottage.
• Final arrangements should be confirmed with the park .

Park Maps

Camp Layout

 

 

 

 

 

 

Park Map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impofu Hiking Trail Map

 

Tariffs

• General Tariffs Information
• 2011/2012 Tariffs (word document or pdf document)
• 2010/2011 Activity Tariffs
• Pensioners' Discount
• Daily Conservation Fee
• Members of SANParks’ loyalty programme WILD do not pay conservation fees provided that proof of Identity and their WILD card are shown on arrival.
• Cost of a Wild Card
• View accommodation pictures and availability for Mountain Zebra National Park

Daily Conservation Fee for 1 November 2011 to 31 October 2012
South African Citizens and Residents (with ID):	R27 per adult, per day R14 per child, per day
SADC Nationals (with passport):	R54 per adult, per day R27 per child, per day
Standard Conservation Fee :	R108 per adult, per day R54 per child, per day

Vital Information

Day Visitors

For people staying in Cradock, Mountain Zebra offers an excellent day visitor destination. There are a couple of picnic sites in the park to cater for day and overnight visitors.

Fuel Stations: Petrol/ Diesel

Vehicle fuel is available in all parks (or is available on the park periphery):

• South African legislation stipulates that fuel stations will accept legitimate petrol/fuel/garage/credit/debit cards or cash as a form of payment for any fuel purchase.

Office Hours

• 1 October to 31 March - 07:00 to 19:00
• 1 April to 30 September - 07:00 to 18:00

Check-in & Check-out times

• Check-in time is 12:00
• Check-out time is 09:00

Hints & Tips

• Remember to bring along a hat, walking shoes, sun block, camera, binoculars and bird and mammal reference books. Hikers on both nature trails and overnight trail must carry sufficient water.
• Warm clothes are essential for the winter months.
• Visitors can only alight from vehicles at restcamp, picnic spots and certain marked areas.
• Pets are not allowed in national parks.
• Firearms must be declared at the entrance gate where they will be sealed. The seal will be broken upon departure.
• Motorcycles or bicycles are not allowed.
• Medical, pharmaceutical, vehicle repair and police services available in Cradock.

Contact Information

For enquiries e-mail Mountain Zebra National Park or phone us on the following numbers:

• Park: Tel +27 (0) 48 881 2427 or 3434
• Fax: +27 (0) 48 881 3943

Climate

During summer the average maximum temperature is 23.1ºC – 28.4ºC while the average minimum is 5.6ºC -13.6ºC. The winter average maximum 16.2ºC – 22.7ºC and the average minimum is 0.05ºC -7.8ºC.

The winter months receive occasional snowfall, which falls mostly on the higher peaks - the southern mountain range - of the park. Frost occurs May to October.

Annual rainfall is about 400 mm with the majority (70%) falling in the summer months (December to February).

Restaurant

The Mountain Zebra National Park’s restaurant is situated in the malaria free Eastern Cape 25km to the West of Craddock which is 260kms North of Port Elizabeth.

The restaurant is fully licensed and serves a splendid a la carte menu, including a variety of light refreshments. The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys, and have become an entrancing preserve for the Cape Mountain Zebra. The proclamation of the park in 1937 saved these animals from extinction, and currently their population stands at 300 where they roam 28 412 hectares of land. Other mammals found here include the cheetah, Cape buffalo, black rhino, eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest and gemsbok, while mountain reedbuck and grey rhebok frequent the higher areas. Caracal occupies the niche of primary predator.

The National Park is yet another exceptional conservation effort. This small park (by African Standards) of 65 sq km's was established in 1937 to protect the 5 remaining mountain zebras of the huge herds that used to populate the area. Out of the 5, 4 were male!!! Cabinet ministers at the time could not see a problem and dismissed the problem as "donkeys in football jerseys". Amazingly conservationists managed to establish a breeding herd and there are now 350. So come visit Mount Zebra for all the wonders on offer and pop into our restaurant to be delighted and refreshed…

Trading Hours:

• Monday – Sunday: 7:00 to late (kitchen closes at 21:00)

Contact Details:

• Tel: (048) 881 2211
• Fax: (048) 881 2211

How to get there

Mountain Zebra National Park is situated about 12km from the town of Cradock in the Eastern Cape. Cradock is accessible via the N10 highway and the Park is situated on the R61 between Cradock and Graaff-Reinet. There are signposts within the town of Cradock to direct you to the Park.

Gate Hours

• 1 October to 31 March: 07:00 - 19:00
• 1 April to 30 September: 07:00 - 18:00

If visitors need to arrive or depart outside of gate hours, a fee of R100 will be charged. Arrangements should be made in advance with Reception on Tel: (048) 881 2427 / 3434 or email: Mountainzebra@sanparks.org

Approximate travelling distances

• 3 hours from Port Elizabeth (domestic airport)
• 9 hours from Cape Town (international airport)
• 9 hours from Johannesburg (international airport)
• 4 hours from Bloemfontein (domestic airport)
• 9 hours from Durban (domestic airport)

GPS Coordinates

Place	Altitude (m)	DDS	DDE
Entrance Gate	998	-32.14096667000	25.50965000000
Doornhoek Guesthouse	1248	-32.24081078270	25.45425198640
Start of Impofu Trail	1211	-32.22483552600	25.47881760370
Reception/Rest Camp	1215	-32.22370106510	25.47923179800
Picnic Site 1	1225	-32.23371682530	25.46986413750
Picnic Site 2	1311	-32.26036399390	25.45448843980

History & Cultural Heritage Sites

History

From prehistoric sites with concentrations of stone artifacts situated along the river banks and rock art panels on the mountain slopes to historic farmsteads and cemeteries, Mountain Zebra National Park has acted as a backdrop for thousands of years of human history.

From 14 000 to 10 000 years ago, Later Stone Age inhabitants lived in the area now proclaimed as national park. Evidence of their settlements is found along the banks of the Wilger River. There are some 30 sites with pottery and stone artifacts that have been identified through research done by the University of Stellenbosch.

The San people left evidence of their lives about 300 years ago in at least three rock shelters containing rock art in the Park. The paintings show an antelope, baboons, a large cat - possibly a leopard or cheetah - and human figures.

Visitors can view rock paintings in one of the shelters by hiring a Park guide to show them the way. Although a fence protects the painting site, it is quite exciting to be able to stand less than a metre away from ancient artwork.

During the 1800s, British soldiers created a chessboard on the top of Saltpeterskop, a 1514m high koppie in the Park. While hiding out during the Anglo-Boer War, they played chess with their fellow soldiers in the old fort in Cradock, transmitting moves by means of a mirror, which had the official purpose of communicating warning signals.

The story goes that a certain farmer – unbeknown to the soldiers - picked up the signals and started a game against the soldiers while sitting on the stoep of his farmhouse.

The chessboard and the names of the soldiers are etched onto a flat slab of rock at the top of Saltpeterskop. Names recorded include the 5th Lancashire Fusiliers, the Coldstream Guards and some privates, corporals and a captain.

The legacy of white pioneers who moved into the area and set up farms during the Great Trek of 1836 still stands today. In 1838, one of the first permanent farmhouses in the area was constructed on the farm De Doornkloof, then owned by Hendrik Jacobus van Heerden. The house presently known as Doornhoek, declared a national monument in 1986, was restored and is still used as a guesthouse in the Park. It is popular with those who want a tranquil family getaway overlooking a lake, with spectacular star-gazing vistas at night.

In 1937, 1712 hectares of land was proclaimed as the Mountain Zebra National Park. Thanks to the conservation efforts of farmers in the area, a small herds of the endangered Cape mountain zebra still survived in the area and these provided a founder population for the Park. Paul Michau donated 6 zebra and later Mr H L Lombard donated 11 zebra to the Park. The Park’s Cape mountain zebra herd now numbers over 350 animals.

The Park at first expanded slowly over the years, but then received a boost with a joint public-private conservation initiative. An artist by the name of David Shepherd kick-started the initiative by donating prints of his works “Mountain Zebra: A Vision in Black and White” in 1996 and “Cheetahs” in 1998 so that money could be raised to buy surrounding farms and expand the size of the Park. SABC’s 50/50 programme shared the story with viewers and encouraged them to support the project by buying prints so that the necessary funds could be raised. The response was fantastic and also caused private individuals and businesses to make donations including The Barbara Delano Foundation, WildAid, Sasol and Vesta Medicines. South African National Parks Trust matched all of the funds that were raised.

Nine surrounding farms were purchased through this process, enabling the Park to expand from 6 536 hectares to 28 412 hectares in size. Following this, black rhino, buffalo and finally cheetah could be introduced to the Park.

Cultural Heritage Sites

An archaeological survey of the Mountain Zebra National Parks was undertaken 1973 at the request of the then National Parks Board of Trustees. The aim of the survey was “to establish the potential of sites for excavation or collection of material for the possible creation of site museums” (Brooker, 1977). Thirty archaeological sites were located during the survey. These include three small rock shelters which include San rock art and 27 open sites. Most of the sites occur primarily along the river valleys where the banks are wide and flat. Scrapers indicating a Holocene age dominated the formal artefacts discovered from 22 of these sites.

An extract from Mary Brooker’s paper (“The Archeology of the Mountain Zebra National Park” Koedoe 20: 77-93, 1977):

“The three small shelters are named ZP16, ZP28 and ZP29. ZP16 has no deposit but the presence of a circular scraper and artefactual waste that indicate it may have been occupied. ZP28 is a small shelter overlooking the Springbok Flats which has a small deposit with pottery and stone artefacts on the surface. ZP29 is a very small shelter and has neither deposit nor artefactual waste, although these might have been washed away by stream action. In a small niche on the overhang are two groups of ochre figures; one large antelope with three smaller antelope above (one possibly an eland) and the remains of four animals below. At the lower left-hand is a frieze in black including two human figures, an antelope, a large cat (leopard?) and three baboons one of which is carrying its young on its back. To the east of these are other paintings fairly high up on a rock face but except for two “sitting buck” these were too faded to record.”

Although individual European travelers would have moved into the general area during the late 1700s and early 1800s, an influx of white pioneer farmers took place during the Great Trek of 1836. During this year the farms De Doornkloof and Babylonsche Toren were provided to Willem van Heerden, while the farm Pretoriuskraal was given to Willem Meintjies van den Berg on the 31st of December 1836. After the death of Willem van Heerden in a road accident at Ratelshoek, his brother Hendrik Jacobus van Heerden took over possession of De Doornkloof and Babylonsche Toren. In approximately 1838 one of the first permanent farmhouses in the area was constructed, and the house presently known as Doornhoek was restored and is still used as a guesthouse in the park. The house was declared a national monument in 1986 (Novellie, 1987) (Van der Merwe, 1988).

During the 1800s, British soldiers created a chessboard on the top of Saltpeterskop, a 1514m high koppie in the Park. While hiding out during the Anglo-Boer War, they played chess with their fellow soldiers in the old fort in Cradock, transmitting moves by means of a mirror which was also used to send warning signals. The chessboard is till visible today but not accessible to visitors.

Visitors can book a guided tour of a San cave painting site.

Birding in Mountain Zebra National Park

Verreaux’s (Black) and Martial Eagle and Jackal Buz za rd soar impressively over this mountain habitat. Pale-winged Starling is very conspicuous on the mountain plateau, where Ostrich, Secretarybird, Blue Crane and Ludwig’s Bustard are the larger more visible species. Grey-winged Francolin, Ground Woodpecker, Large-billed (Thick-billed) and Eastern Long-billed Lark, Cape and Sentinel Rock-Thrush, Mountain Wheatear (Chat) and Orange-breasted Rockjumper should also be searched for, while Pink-billed Lark and African Rock Pipit are less common.

The wooded kloofs and acacia stands host species such as Red-fronted Tinker Barbet, Lesser Honeyguide, Red-throated Wryneck and Southern Tchagra.

Mammals

The highlight of the park’s mammalian fauna is obviously the ±300 or so Cape mountain zebra after which the park is named.

These zebra differ from the plains or Burchell’s zebra, by having narrower stripes, absence of shadow stripes and orange facial colouration. Other noticeable species of the mountain plateau are the red hartebeest, eland and springbok. In the more wooded valleys visitors should search for kudu, and two of the park’s more recent reintroductions, the African buffalo and the black rhino.

Species List

Common Name	Scientific Name
Order INSECTIVORA
Family Macroscelididae
Cape rock elephant-shrew	Elephantulus edwardii (?)
Rock elephant-shrew	Elephantulus myurus
Smith's rock elephant-shrew	Elephantulus rupestris
Round-eared elephant-shrew	Macroscelides proboscideus (?)
Family Erinaceidae
South African hedgehog	Erinaceus frontalis
Family Soricidae
Reddish grey musk shrew	Crocidura cyanea
Forest shrew	Myosorex varius
Family Chrysochloridae
Hottentot golden mole	Amblysomus hottentotus
Order INSECTIVORA
ORDER CHIROPTERA
Family Molossidae
Egyptian free-tailed bat	Tadarida aegyptiaca (?)
Family Vespertilionidae
Cape serotine bat	Eptesicus capensis
Schreibers' long-fingered bat	Miniopterus schreibersi (?)
Family Rhinolophidae
Geoffroy's horseshoe bat	Rhinolophus clivosus
Order PRIMATES
Family Cercopithecidae
Vervet monkey	Cercopithecus pygerythrus
Chacma baboon	Papio ursinus
Order CARNIVORA
Family Hyaenidae
Aardwolf	Proteles cristatus
Brown Hyena	Parahyaena brunnea
Family Felidae
Cheetah	Acinonyx jubatus
Cape wild cat	Felis lybica
Black-footed cat	Felis nigripes
Caracal	Caracal caracal
Family Canidae
Bat-eared fox	Otocyon megalotis
Silver fox Vulpes chama
Blackbacked jackal	Canis mesomelas
Family Mustelidae
Cape clawless otter	Aonyx capensis
Striped polecat	Ictonyx striatus
Whitenaped weasel	Poeciligale albinucha
Family Viverridae
Small-spotted genet	Genetta genetta
Cape grey mongoose	Galerella pulverulenta
Water mongoose	Atilax paludinosus
Yellow mongoose	Cynictis penicillata
Suricate	Suricata suricatta
Order HYRACOIDEA
Family Procaviidae
Rock dassie	Procavia capensis
Order TUBULIDENTATA
Family Orycteropodidae
Ant bear	Orycteropus afer
Order LAGOMORPHA
Family Leporidae
Scrub hare	Lepus saxatilis
Cape hare	Lepus capensis
Natal red rock rabbit	Pronolagus crassicaudatus (?)
Smith's red rock rabbit	Pronolagus rupestris
Order RODENTIA
Family Bathyergidae
Common mole-rat	Cryptomys hottentotus
Family Hystricidae
Porcupine	Hystrix africaeaustralis
Family Sciuridae
Ground squirrel	Xerus inauris
Family Pedetidae
Springhare	Pedetes capensis
Family Gliridae
Spectacled dormouse	Graphiurus ocularis
Woodland dormouse	Graphiurus murinus
Family Cricetidae
Pouched mouse	Saccostomus campestris
Bush karoo rat	Otomys unisulcatus
Short-tailed gerbil	Desmodillus auricularis
Hairy-footed gerbil	Gerbillurus paeba
Family Muridae
Grant's rock mouse	Aethomys granti
Namaqua rock mouse	Aethomys namaquensis
Multimammate mouse	Praomys natalensis
House rat	Rattus rattus
Striped mouse	Rhabdomys pumilio
Order PERISSODACTYLA
Family Equidae
Cape mountain zebra	Equus zebra zebra
Burchell’s zebra	Equus burchelli
Order ARTIODACTYLA
Family Suidae
Bushpig	Potamochoerus larvatus
Family Bovidae
Eland	Taurotragus oryx
Kudu	Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Mountain reedbuck	Redunca fulvorufula
Red hartebeest	Redunca fulvorufula
Black wildebeest	Connochaetes gnou
Blesbok	Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi
Springbok	Antidorcas marsupialis
Grey duiker	Sylvicapra grimmia
Steenbok	Raphicerus campestris
Klipspringer	Oreotragus oreotragus
Grey rhebuck	Pelea capreolus
Cape Buffalo	Syncerus caffer
Order PERISSODACTYLA
Family Rhinocerotidae
Black Rhinoceros	Diceros bicornis

Vegetation

Mountain Zebra National Park has three vegetation types (Mucina et al. 2005): the Eastern Upper Karoo, Karoo Escarpment Grassland and Eastern Cape Escarpment Thicket making up 37%, 53% and 10%, respectively of the park. The park thus incorporates elements of three biomes: the Nama-Karoo, Grassland and Thicket.

The Karoo Escarpment Grassland is dominated by the grass species Merxmuellera disticha, with shrubs such as Euryops annuus, and Elytropappus rhinocerotis. The Eastern Upper Karoo is a mix of grass and shrub dominated vegetation types that are subject to dynamic changes in species composition depending upon rainfall. Shrubs such as Pentzia incana, Eriocephalus ericoides dominate, while grasses such as Aristida spp. Eragrostis spp. and Themeda triandra are common. Fires are fairly common in the Karoo Escarpment Grassland and may also occur occasionally in the Eastern Upper Karoo. The vegetation types in the Mountain Zebra National Park are poorly or hardly protected elsewhere in South Africa (Driver et al. 2005).

The combination of different vegetation types is important from the point of view of preserving biodiversity, as well as from an aesthetic viewpoint. The area is one of transition between biomes allowing for an interesting mix of flora and fauna, as well as preserving important ecological and landscape processes. The warm north-facing slopes (which characterise the park) with a wide diversity of habitats ranging from mountaintops to valley bottoms provide suitable habitat ideal to cater for the seasonal requirements of the large herbivores (Novellie et al. 1988). In addition the north aspect provides for productive land capable of supporting relatively high densities of game, with greater proportions of the more productive Karoo veld types allowing the carrying of large herbivores.

Herbivore densities within the rocky grassland areas are likely to be low. Importantly, all of the major vegetation types in the park are currently very poorly conserved elsewhere in South Africa: South Eastern Mountain Grassland (0.3% conserved), Eastern Mixed Nama Karoo (1.08%), Valley Thicket (2.2%) and Central Lower Karoo (0.05%). Hence, the park will play a critical role in the long-term preservation of biodiversity.

The interface between biomes promotes a rich flora, as well as preserving important ecological and landscape processes. An analysis of the flora (Pond et al. 2002) revealed 680 plant species in the park, thirteen of which are Red Data species. At 5.05 plant species per 100 ha, the density of plant species in the Mountain Zebra National Park is very high compared to other protected areas in the arid and semi-arid areas of South Africa, a feature which can be ascribed to the wide habitat and substrate diversity of the park (Pond et al. 2002).

People with disabilities

Wheelchair Access

Accommodation

The park has 18 4-bed cottages and one 6-bed guesthouse. None of these have specific adaptations, such as roll-in showers and grab rails adjacent the toilet. All the cottages have steps at their entrances, although in a couple of these units the step is low enough for a strong wheelchair user to get in unassisted. There is also a 6-bed guesthouse, which has no steps or uneven surface prohibiting entry. All the units have baths which will only be appropriate for some people. In time the park will be able to upgrade selected units into properly accessible ones.

Main Complex

Access into and within the main complex is ramped. Accessible ablution facilities could be provided and access to the shop improved.

Other Facilities & Activities

The park has limited facilities and activities. Game viewing is done from the comfort of one's own vehicle. The picnic sites and walking trails are fairly rustic, with no formal adaptation provided for persons with mobility or sensory impairment.

(Please see additional information on Wheelchair Accessibility)

Conference Facilities

Conference Facilities

• Full conference facilities for a maximum of 20 people
• Catering facilities available
• Reservations: Tel: +27 12 426-5025
• Fax: +27 12 426-5488

Wedding Receptions

• Facilities available for small wedding receptions, maximum 20 people.
• Venue is adjacent to the Doornhoek Guest Cottage.
• The venue should be booked together with the guest cottage.
• Final arrangements should be confirmed with the park.