The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Mountain Zebra National Park
Afrikaans name: Nasionale Bergkwaggapark
Cape Mountain Zebras
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Eastern Cape
In the 1930's the Cape Mountain Zebra was facing extinction and a decision was made by the National Parks Board to do something about it. A small area of land was set aside, near Cradock, and 6 zebras were released into it. Unfortunately only one of these was a female so the future still looked bleak for the species. Over the years the park was expanded and two farmers donated a few more zebras to restock the park. There are now around 300 Cape Mountain Zebras in the park and the National Parks Board are able to relocate some each year to establish new populations.
Besides the all important zebras the Mountain Zebra National Park is home to other mammals such as Aardwolf, Black Rhino, Eland, Cape Buffalo, Black Wildebeest, Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest, Grey Rhebok and Caracal. Lion and Cheetah have also been re-introduced.
Birders will find plenty to keep them happy including Verreaux's Eagle, Secretary Bird, Grey-winged Francolin, Ground Woodpecker, Ludwig's Bustard, Orange-breasted Rockjumper and Mountain Wheatear. The mountainous parts to the south are good for eagles, while the Kranskop Loop is home to other birds that prefer hilly areas. If you are up for a challenge (in a birding sense) drive the Rooiplaat Loop to look for larks and pipits. There are thickets along the Wilgerboom River where a variety of seed-eaters and others might be seen. The Blue Korhaan is a special bird to look for and your best chance is on the northern plains.
The Bankberg Mountains provide a beautiful backdrop in almost any direction. There are deep ravines containing interesting birds and plants. The park covers an area of 28 412 hectares.
There is a variety of accommodation in the park including family cottages, mountain cottages and camping ground.
Things to do in the Mountain Zebra National Park
There are plenty of things to do in the park besides driving around or relaxing at camp including:- 4x4 trails
- Birding
- Guided game drives
- Swimming
- Cheetah tracking
- Go for a hike or walk
- Guided trails
Above - Entrance to the park
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Above - Chalet
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Above - Swimming pool
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Above - Typical scenery in the park
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Mammals of Mountain Zebra National Park
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Aardwolf
Antbear / Aardvark
Black-footed Cat
Bush Pig
Common Duiker
Grey Rhebuck
South African Hedgehog
Striped Polecat
Wild Cat
Birds of Mountain Zebra National Park
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Grey-winged Francolin
Greater Honeyguide
Ground Woodpecker
Red-fronted Tinkerbird
Acacia Pied Barbet
Jacobin Cuckoo
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Red-chested Cuckoo
Alpine Swift
African Black Swift
White-rumped Swift
Fiery-necked Nightjar
Ludwig's Bustard
Karoo Korhaan
Common Sandpiper
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk
Booted Eagle
Lesser Kestrel
Rock Kestrel
Southern Tchagra
Olive Bush-Shrike
Drakensberg Rock-jumper
Cape Penduline-Tit
Grey Tit
Greater Striped Swallow
Rock Martin
Fairy Flycatcher
Willow Warbler
Layard's Tit-Babbler
Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler
Grey-backed Cisticola
Neddicky
Karoo Prinia
Namaqua Warbler
Rufous-eared Warbler
Bar-throated Apalis
Cape Clapper Lark
Spike-heeled Lark
Large-billed Lark
Cape Rock-Thrush
Karoo Scrub-Robin
Sickle-winged Chat
Familiar Chat
Pale-winged Starling
Malachite Sunbird
Southern Double-collared Sunbird
Dusky Sunbird
Cape Weaver
Yellow-throated Petronia
African Rock Pipit
Long-billed Pipit
Cape Canary
Black-headed Canary
Black-throated Canary
Brimstone Canary
White-throated Canary
Streaky-headed Seedeater
Cape Bunting
References and further reading
Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 43Wild Issue 49 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 58
Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 30
Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 12
Wild Issue 43 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 10
Wild Issue 45 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 14
Wild Issue 41 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 8
Wild Issue 37 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 50
Wild Issue 31 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 13
Wild Issue 35 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 32
Wild Issue 29 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 82
Wild Issue 26 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 31
Wild Issue 18 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 14
Wild Issue 22 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 12
Top Birding Spots in Southern Africa - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 1992 - Page: 323
Where to Watch Birds in Southern Africa - Author: A. Berruti and J.C. Sinclair - Published: 1983 - Page: 102
The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 258
The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 63
The National Parks of South Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Rene Gordon and Anthony Bannister - Published: 1987 - Page: 126
Stuarts Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd ed - Author: Chris & Mathilde Stuart - Published: 2018 - Page: 161
Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 109
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 318
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 222
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 148
Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 192
On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 184
On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 287
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 181
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 180
go! - Issue 158 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 46
Getaway - Vol 30 No 06 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 75
Country Life - Issue 280 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 52
Country Life - Issue 273 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 28
Country Life - Issue 262 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 82
Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 157
Chris and Tilde Stuarts Guide to Southern African Game and Nature Reserves - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1989 - Page: 189
Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 54
A - Z of South African National Parks - Author: South African National Parks - Published: 0 - Page: 54
SANParks
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