Accommodation near Mountain Zebra National Park

Beautiful Scenery

Some of our National Parks are all about the animals, advertising the Big 5 or Big 7, and enticing visitors with the possibility of seeing animals that they've only seen in pictures before. The Mountain Zebra National Park is different. It's not that they don't have the animals, but no-one can compete with the scenery of the Karoo. Well maybe the Karoo National Park, but then they don't have the concentration of animals that the Mountain Zebra National Park has, and anyway, the Mountain Zebra Park is only an hour from us!

Wildlife in the Park

Don't get us wrong, the Park has lots of different species. They have lion, buffalo and cheetah; but they also have a range of antelope species. Kudu, Eland, Blesbok, Red Hartebeest, Gemsbok, Mountain Reedbuck, Steenbok and and and. Let's not forget the whole reason why the Park was founded in the first place, as a safe haven for the dwindling population of Cape Mountain Zebra. Having started with only 11 zebra in 1937, they now have a herd of over 1000 animals.

Activities

The Park has a number of Eco-activities that must be booked in advance. They offer guided drives and walks, and you can explore the rock paintings dating back thousands of years. Our favourite activity, is the cheetah tracking. Absolutely a must do if you can! The only pre-requisite is that you do have to overnight in the Park the night before your cheetah tracking experience. Guests often choose to stay over with us in Somerset East, enjoy a delicious evening meal, and take a leisurely drive to the Park the next morning, doing a self-drive when they get there. Enjoy their self-catering accommodation - you can book at the restaurant on site for dinner - and do the cheetah tracking early the next morning.

Seasons

The Mountain Zebra National Park is in a summer rainfall area; so it gets most of it's rain between September and March. The landscape appears beige to brown in winter with the effects of the cold on the grassveldt. 

Travel Tips

The roads in the Park are good. Most are gravel, but the really steep sections going up the mountain have been tarred for safety. Adhere to the speed limit in the Park, else you won't see any animals, they don't stand and wave in the middle of the road! Remember to check the gate closing times.

Local insights

• Do drive up the mountain, that's where you get the best views.
• Don't attempt the 4x4 tracks if you're not in a 4x4 vehicle and comfortable driving off road.
• You may have better game spotting when it is dryer, as the animals have to go to the watering holes to drink, instead of having numerous puddles in the veldt to quench their thirst just after rains.
• There is also the option to book a fly fishing experience, as one of our trophy waters is right next to the Park. You would then stay over at the Park after fishing.. 
• Take it slow and enjoy the ride.

FAQs

• How far is Somerset East from the Mountain Zebra National Park?
  • Somerset East (KwaNojoli) is 120 km from the Angler and Antelope Guesthouse. You should allow about 1 hour 30 minutes travel time.
• Can you visit the Park as a day trip?
  • Absolutely! The Park is an easy day trip from Somerset East.
• Is the Mountain Zebra National Park malaria free?
  
  • Yes, all the National Parks in the Eastern Cape province are malaria free.
• What animals can you see at the Mountain Zebra National Park?
  • The Park has lion, buffalo, cheetah, cape mountain zebra, eland, kudu, gemsbok, springbok, reedbuck, black wildebeest to name some of them. They also have baboons, ostriches, rock monitors, brown hyena and aardwolf. Be on the lookout for secretary birds, ostriches, pale chanting goshawks, and blue cranes. 
• Where should I stay near Mountain Zebra National Park?
  
  • The Angler and Antelope guesthouse is just over an hour from the Park, great for day trips.