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Depending on whether Mango's new budget JNB-PLZ route is still in operation in August (they are trialing it till February), we are considering visiting Camdeboo or Mountain Zebra for 2-3 nights. We will have a normal sedan car and we like spectacular scenery, wildlife and hiking. I don't suppose any of you could offer you opinions... Which of the two parks should we pick? Both look stunning!

Thanks in advance!

Graham

PS I should also point out we will visit Kruger later in the month for a week...

Do both


If you can ONLY do one, then MZNP.

Like DB says do both . BUt if I really had to choose it would be MZNP in August the flowers are starting to bloom and they have cheetahs which you can track with a guide of course in a safari vehicle, Plus many bokkies and Zebras though last August it SNOWED !!!

Thanks for your replies..

We won't be able to do both as we would only have a couple of nights. MZNP sounds like the best bet then if it is just one of the parks. Is there much difference in terms of landscape?

I remember reading about the snow in early August this year, but looking at the typical weather patterns, I'm guessing it is likely to be 15-20 in the day and chilly at night? Is MZNP accessible with a normal car?

We visited MZNP in late July/early August and the temperature at night had obviously dropped to freezing (there was ice in some puddles) - we covered the Rooiplaat and Kranskop loops in a Toyota saloon with no problems (other than SO screaming 'No, No, go back' when she saw the first STEEP climb on the Kranskop loop.

It is one of my fave parks and comes with a ***** rating from me!

Go for it and enjoy!

Land scaper is beautiful and we camped in August . and we are still here with all fingers and toes to tell the tail . Roads up the hill are steep but there is a cemented track to help you go up we had and Old Venture with the tiny engine and no power steering and we coped fine.
Do go and enjoy I am

I do not want to favour one park over another, but Camdeboo is disjointed if that makes sense? The park wraps around the town of Graaf-Reinet and one has to travel through the town to get to various parts of the park. The Valley of Desolation is stunning, and so are the other areas of the park.

MZNP is an 'enclosed in one' park - you enter a park and stay in it, away from towns and lights etc, until you exit. The scenery is stunning, there are super walks/hikes and of course good (possible) animal sightings to be had.

Thanks so much for the tips and info

I prefer being away from towns, although Graaff-Reinet looks really interesting! After camping in the Brecon Beacons two winters ago in -11 celcius, I am sure that Mountain Zebra National Park will feel warm by comparison! We won't be camping either - will want to stay in a restcamp.

I have just returned from Mount Zebra and I can only sing its praise.

The cottages have lovely big fireplaces for cold evenings.. and it does look as though it can get cold. I also treated my daughters to a special night out at their restaurant and it was absolutely delicious.

The highlight of our experience was the Cheetah tracking. Unbelievable. I will post some pictures once the dust has settled.

The scenery is spectacular.

sigh

missing it already

Sounds great MM - are you planning a TR? Not enough TRs of the lesser known/visited parks!

So true Graham.

Please MM?

My latest trip report, "Reviewing a one night stand" is on Mount Zebra.

Just a taste