Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area

Natural and Cultural Heritage

In an important development for the TFCA, the South African Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003. Artefacts discovered in the area attest to Iron Age settlements around 3,000 years ago. The resemblance of excavated items at multiple sites across the modern international borders of the three countries, attest to the cultural affinity of those who lived in the area historically. Evidence indicates traces of a highly sophisticated civilisation that traded with Egypt, India, China and Arabia. Additional features of cultural importance in the Limpopo Valley are the numerous San rock paintings and engravings, fossilised dinosaur footprints and skeletal remains of the dinosaur Massospondylus carinatus. In 2011, much time was spent to ensure responsible mining operations at the Vele Colliery that lies 5.7 km from the boundary of the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site.

The TFCA is situated in a savannah biome and is found at the nexus of a unique combination of geology, climate and vegetation. The constituent areas share patterns of low, erratic rainfall (an average of 350 – 400 mm per annum), which, combined with frequent drought cycles and poor soils, contributes to making the area extremely marginal for agricultural crop production. Vegetation in the area is typically short dense grown of shrubby Mopane trees within shrub and tufted grasslands.

The region has excellent potential for a “big five” conservation area. Elephant, giraffe, eland, gemsbok, duiker and numerous other antelope species occur naturally in the area, as do a range of predators including lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena. The habitat is suitable for both white and black rhinoceros and in July 2004, four white rhinos from Kruger National Park were released into the Mapungubwe National Park. Birders can currently tick off more than 400 species, with numbers still increasing. Insect and other arthropod life, too, is diverse. The Mopane Moth is in evidence between November and March; moth larvae are a valuable food source. At least nine scorpion species have also been identified.

The People of GMTFCA

Surrounding communities rely on livestock rearing and agriculture for their livelihoods. Compounding climate change impacts have resulted in significant decreases in crop yields and available grazing areas for livestock, linked to decreasing rainfall. Competition between game and livestock has increased, contributing to an escalating level of human-wildlife conflict.

Transboundary community engagement is ensured through an institutional arrangement through which community workshops, consultations and exchanges are managed. For example, as with other reserves in South Africa, the Machetes and Lishebas successfully claimed land on one portion of the Mapungubwe National Park. Negotiations are still underway to determine restitution, and are being facilitated through a trilateral technical committee. Communities and the TFCA are working together to establish and promote alternative livelihood options in the face of increasing environmental instability. In this context, eco-tourism is seen as a key alternative land-use option, and other beneficiation options are being considered in the various countries. In Zimbabwe, through the participation of the Beitbridge Rural District Council and Gwanda Rural District Council, there is strong school-based community engagement.

GMTFCA Highlights

The TFCA boasts a range of cultural and natural history activities. Cultural history activities include visits to the Lost City at Mapungubwe Hill, an interpretation centre and a number of heritage routes and trails. Wildlife tourism includes game drives with a number of lodges and bush camps situated across the TFCA.

Adventure tourism activities are also successfully introduced by the GMTFCA partner countries, including the annual Nedbank Tour de Tuli, which is attended by cyclists from across the world offering participants a chance to visit all three countries while cycling through wild areas. Safari operator Wilderness Safaris organizes this four-day mountain bike tour. Participants cycle 300 km of challenging single-track across ancient elephant trails and remote terrain in the GMTFCA. The Tour de Tuli is supported by all three Governments, enabling border crossings along riverbanks. Overriding goal of this live changing event is to raise funds for Children in the Wilderness (CITW), a non-profit organisation supported by Wilderness Safaris.

CITW is an environmental and life skills educational programme that focuses on the next generation of rural decision makers, developing environmental leaders who are inspired to care for their natural heritage so that they become the custodians of these areas in the future.

The Safari-on-the-Run™: Mapungubwe is now an annual cross-border trail running event, covering 90km over three days. The Maramani Community Campsite is the base for this four-night event. Significant economic benefits flow to the members of the Maramani community through temporary employment, camping and traversing fees.