SANParks.org Forums

Hi, chirinda.

Somehow I missed your request for trip report/photos from your posting - thought i'll give you some links to some of our photos - just incase you see something you haven't seen there before. These photos were taken more than a year ago, but they still bring back some very good memories.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.102142263174541.2135.100001363025495&type=1&l=152a570ef5

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122436504478450.45206.100001363025495&type=1&l=ae90827842



Super day...

A client of ours is/was one of contractors on the project (not building-, not architect, not engineer ). We had a long meeting, 10 minutes business and one hour Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre. He told me (all hearsay ) that the centre was completed on time and while they were getting ready for the opening, the tiles started dropping off the ceilings. It was quite interesting him explaining to me how the tiles were made on site using ancient local methods.

Initially they thought that there was a problem with the tile adhesive but unfortunately the problem was more serious than that. The actual domes started shifting causing the tiles to drop. This is no fault of SANParks, they appointed very competent people to begin with and it is a never-done-before sort of construction.

Apparently the building is stable now and they are in the process of completing it. I'm sure our patience will pay off in the end because we'll have a very unique Interpretation Centre to be proud of.

Nice pics besembek!!

Thanks for the update, JenB. Looking forward to getting in there eventually.

Hi Besembek,

Thanks so much for the pics, I'm glad to see you went in a small sedan, I went with Meandering Mouse last year in her high clearance vehicle, and wondered what are the chances of making it with a Sedan. I'm hoping for an overseas friend to visit next year and would love to take her there, but I only have a Tazz.

Thanks, too, JenB for the information (hearsay ) you posted. I actually went inside - we did a tour of the whole building and it looked lovely then (June 2010) and will be stunning when finally it is opened.

I also found a time-lapse video the other day of the building of the interpretive centre. That was fascinating.

I found some pics of the Interpretive Centre on Scott Ramsay's Year in the Wild blog - episode Marvellous Mapungubwe. Scroll down for the pics

http://www.sanparks.org/blog/?p=5860

Thank you, Chirinda

Good Day All! Just a quick update on this topic. The Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre opened it's doors for a 'soft' opening in December of last year. So it is up and running and there is even a small restaurant which operates until 4pm, and which will cater for groups after hours if requested.

The official opening is due to be done by the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs this coming Monday, 10th September. You can catch it on Morning Live on SABC 2 from 6.00am onwards.

Mapungubwe Interpretive Centre temporarily closed due to heavy rain.

The Mapungubwe Interpretive Centre (MIC) situated within the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage (MNP&WH) Site has been temporarily closed due to the heavy rains in the area.

This is according to Divhani Maremba, MNP&WH spokesperson who said over the past two days, the park has received about 212mm of rain. “It is for this reason that we would like to caution our visitors not to utilise some major roads with low water bridges within the park.”

According to Maremba some roads have been washed away and visitors are strongly advised not to make use of those roads, especially if they are using small vehicles.

She said the park’s operation have not been severely affected except the MIC. “The only camps that can be easily reached by 2x4 vehicles are Tshugulu and Leokwe. We strongly advise all our visitors to avoid crossing any low-water bridges.”

The roads listed below should be avoided at all costs for the safety of our visitors:

Confluence(4X4only)
Tree top walk (4X4 only)
Limpopo Tented Camp (4X4 only)
Mazhou (4X4 only)
Vhembe (4X4 only)

The heavy rains are expected to continue until Sunday and more information will follow.

Waterfall at Mapungubwe

This "waterfall" is evidence of the heavy rains experienced at Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site. Photographed by Stefan Cilliers.

Issued by:
SANParks

Media enquiries:
Divhani Maremba
Manager: Northern Regions Communications
Tel: 012 426 5170; Cell: 082 941 9980
Email: divhani.maremba@sanparks.org

Or

Gabrielle “Gabby” Venter
Manager: Media and Stakeholder Relations
Tel: (012) 426 5065; Cell: 083 825 9435
Email: gabrielle.venter@sanparks.org

Jippee it is raining at last. It was so dry in December.

News of the rain just made my day!!!

Just read this "old" thread again think that was the 17/01 5 days later it was panic stations due to all the rain.

Maybe I shouldn't have been so happy it's raining at last.