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Just returned from five days in Mapungubwe. It is reported that there is a healthy predator population in the reserve and were very hopeful that we may encounter some of these only to be most disappointed to find domestic animals grazing within its confines. The ratio of cattle to grazing antelope was probably in the vicinity of 3 to 1. not to mention the abundance of goats in addition to the cattle. A walk onto the viewing platforms overlooking the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo rivers reveals a moonscape devoid of grazing as a consequence of the pressure by domestic livestock. We also noticed local tribes people casually wondering in and around the river system.  Livestock and humans on foot are incompatible with predators and as livestock is a form of wealth in rural african communities, presumably the Lions and other predators are dealt with in a manner that would prevent them from harming the livestock. The net result was that our mammal predator count amounted to a perfect 0. Not even a single jackal was spotted by us or other visitors whom we spoke to.

I inquired about this at the reception an was told that these animals belonged to Zimbabweans and nothing could be done about this as they were able to cross the river at will. I indicated that cattle have value and could be impounded and released back to the owners in exchange for a fine as a deterrent only to receive a humorous chuckle in reply. I suspect that the Zimbabwe ownership is partly true and probably  a convenient smoke screen for the current managers of the reserve to run their own herds. Hence their apparent lack of will to manage the situation.

So,  if you are interested in traveling a great distance to visit a remote cattle farm? I recommend Mapungubwe. If predators are on your wish list I recommend that you spend your money else ware.  

In fairness we did enjoy our stay. The accommodation was comfortable, the geology uniquely spectacular and we were able to tally a bird count of 110 between four of us in five days. And there was an abundance of ellies that assisted with our entertainment.

That is what Mapungubwe is primarily about. If you are looking for lion, it is best to visit KNP. The numbers in Mapungubwe are limited, because it is a small park and because of limited prey and also history which tells you that much of Mpaungubwe was farms. Last time I heard, the lion prides actually have sections of the park as part of their territory, but spend the most of the time on especially the Botswana side.

In comparison I have however seen more leopard in Mapungubwe than in any other park we frequent.

To me the cattle in the river is a part of the character of Mapungubwe. It is something of old Africa, which is quite in character with the history of the ancient civilisation which flourished there. As for Mapungubwe being taken over and grazing being destroyed by cattle ... that is not quite accurate. They do cross the river and at times do enter the park. This is impossible to stop as the border is in the centre of the river. How do you put a fence there? Placing a fence on the SA river bank is also not practical, because then you stop the animals of the park from reaching water and prime grazing areas.

Remember that the area on the Zimbabwean side is rural property where people live. They have done so for many thousands of years, as they have done on the SA side and the Botswana side. Those people cannot be wished away because we as visitors don't want to see them.

You also need to take in to account the ecology of that area. It is an arid and hot area, and the grazing will always be scarce during the dry season.

When visiting Mapungubwe the best is not to expect a Kruger experience and enjoy it for what it is.

It is a special place.

Imberbe,

The cattle is not confined to the river but move as far as Shroda dam to graze near the ranger's house. These cattle are not simple rural cattle but well looked after animals.

The question of impounding the cattle gets ignored and is a valid point made by Eagleye.

Morning Guys

Hope you had a great weekend


I couldn't agree more with Imberbe.
To minimize threats to the integrity of the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape by livestock is on top of the management priority list, further engagements are in places during the trilateral meetings between affected countries; South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe to address the challenge; one of the proposed solutions to this matter is the creation of veterinary control fence.

The purpose of this exercise is to facilitate the development of joint veterinary control principles and ensuring that the Transfrontier Conservation Area boundary is developed into the outer boundary to regulate animal movement, which will also act as a barrier to help control introduction of unwanted diseases. This approach will allow free movement of wildlife in the Greater Mapungubwe TFCA and allow natural processes to function better than in the current fragmented landscape.

Kind Regards:
Lesego Nko
Web Forum and Online Stakeholder Relations SANParks

I could not agree less ...

I agree even less.

Mapungubwe is a National Park, already under threat by mining activities, now this.

SANParks should now do something to stop this as a matter of urgency!

I was thinking of making a booking for Mapungubwe, but after reading about the cattle free-ranging there I won't! Mapungubwe will not see me while this sorry state of affairs is going on!

Does anyone know what the purpose is of the flattened fence as shown in the photo of Son godin?

Cattle feeding in a conservation park will NEVER be part of the character for me!

I had the exact same reaction.

Its a very similar situation to the Limpopo transfrontier park: I travelled a bit through the Moz side a number of years ago on a canoe trip. There are still whole subsistence villages in the national park in Moz. Not quite what I expected to see there.

The key is Greater Mapungubwe TFCA


So there is a much bigger picture. Creating more room for wild animals to roam.
But you can not remove people and life stock living in this area and conflicts with the whole principle of the Peace Parks .
And this concept is working already


As fences go down instead of erecting them (except for some protecting people and crops against elepehants)

All these wonderful explanations still do not change the fact that foreign stock is roaming in OUR National Park and this is not desirable.

The Peace Parks foundation is mentioned - does anyone for one moment imagine that this is what Dr. Anton Rupert had in mind when he started this.

What will the defenders of this who posted earlier in this thread's response be if an outbreak of Foot and Mouth or any other animal disease take place?

It is about time that all, even those living in Good old Africa start realizing that responsibility is also part of life.

Understand the concerns for foot and mouth for eg.
But this is following Dr Anton Rupert vision and of WWF South Africa


Time will tell but for the first time in history countries and wildlife organisations understand that we
must set aside more and bigger areas for wild animals to roam.

Peace Parks

I can remember since 2006/7, maybe earlier, maybe not, the cattle being part of, across the river landscape and to a much lesser degree inside the Park.
If it means a greater area for all animals to roam I have no qualms.
Mapungubwe-in my opinion- already have more fences than a cattle farm. I don’t understand the purposes of all these fences but that’s beside the point. If understanding correctly, The Peace Parks projects of which, we are part of three should/will have eventually all the fences and human made boundaries removed. The people, live stock and villages will remain as is. I personally hate the bordering Sentinel Ranch a thousand times more than the sight of cattle. It would be tragic for Mapunguwe’s animals landing on their trophy pages.

There are currently no serious disease threats to wildlife in the park, although there is a risk of introduction of diseases, including alien diseases, through the unregulated movement of livestock or wildlife. Efforts will be directed at developing a joint disease control policy at the periphery of the TFCA and preventing the introduction of alien and unwanted diseases to the area.

Agreed for wildlife to roam.

There is always a possibility of an outbreak of disease, maybe the joint disease control policy should already have been in place.

... besides its not quite my cup of tea to go to a national park and see cattle & goats ...