Mountain Zebra National Park offers guests a rustic experience during a vacation holiday in South Africa, away from the luxury of the Kruger Park and Sabi Sands. Game viewing safaris are done from your own tour vehicle. Short nature trails can also be arranged. Three day trails, day and night drives and San cave paintings can all be arranged with prior notice. There are lovely picnic and braai areas where guests can enjoy the tranquil atmosphere with their loved ones during a safari holiday in South Africa.

Zebra at Mountain Zebra National Park

Mountain Zebra National Park’s Wildlife
The highlight of the park’s mammalian fauna is obviously the Cape mountain zebra after which the park is named. These zebra differ from the plains or Burchell’s zebra, by having narrower stripes, absence of shadow stripes and orange facial colouration. Mountain reedbuck and grey rhebok frequent the higher areas, whilst caracal occupy the niche of primary predator. Other noticeable species of the mountain plateau are the red hartebeest, eland and springbok. In the more wooded valleys visitors should search for kudu, and two of the park’s more recent reintroductions, the African buffalo and the black rhino.

Mountain Zebra National Park’s Hotel Accommodation
Doornhoek Guest House, a restored Victorian homestead, accommodating 6 persons, three bedrooms, en suite bathrooms (bath), and fully equipped kitchen. Four-bed family cottages, each with two bedrooms, bathroom (shower) and partially equipped kitchen.

All accommodation is serviced daily and provided with bedding, towels and soap.

Mountain Zebra National Park’s Facilities
Fully licensed a la carte restaurant, also serving light refreshments.
Shop where curios and basic commodities may be purchased.
Barbecue and ablution facilities for day visitors.
Swimming pool for resident guests only.
Petrol and diesel are available in the restcamp.

Conservation Fees
Please note rates do not include daily conservation levies. Please see details of

Mountain Zebra National Park’s Activities
Game viewing from own vehicle.
Short nature trails.
Day and night drives - bookings at reception.
San cave paintings - bookings at reception.
Picnic areas

Mountain Zebra National Park’s How to get there
The park is situated 12 km from the picturesque town of Cradock on the Middelburg-Graaff Reinett road, and is 280 km from Port Elizabeth, 800 km from Cape Town, 800 km from Johannesburg and 1 050 km from Durban.

Cradock Geography: Situated in the heart of the Central Karoo 240km from Port Elizabeth, Cradock makes for a wonderful stopover along the Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth run.

Cradock History: The town was founded on the banks of the Great Fish River as a stronghold at the end of the Frontier War of 1812, and was named after the Cape Governor, Sir John Cradock. Later on, during the years of apartheid, it was a fertile ground for resistance, and some members of the ANC were based in and around the town. In one of the darker days of the town's history, Cradock made headlines when UDF leader Matthew Goniwe and three men accompanying him were slain by apartheid-era security police in 1985.

Cradock Arts and Culture: There is much in Cradock to keep the culture vulture busy! Olive Schreiner, one of South Africa's most important literary figures lived in Cradock from 1867 to 1870. It was her stay here that inspired her to write "The Story of An African Farm" in 1883. Cradock's biggest attraction, Schreiner House, is dedicated to her life and works, while visitors can view her grave at Buffelskop Peak which overlooks the Great Fish River Valley. The Dutch Reformed Church on Market Square built in 1867 is a provincial heritage site - and quite a fascinating building as it is a near exact replica of London's St Martin-in-the-Fields. Another place of cultural interest is the Great Fish River Museum housed in an 1849 Dutch Reformed Church parsonage that depicts the early history of the Cape pioneers. At the town library, bookworms will find some rare items including many Olive Schreiner titles and a second-hand copy of the first edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica of 1869. The oak tree that grows near the supermarket is believed to be one of the world's biggest trees, and is a provincial heritage site.

Cradock Science and Nature: Indigenous succulents and shrubs are preserved in the Karoo Garden which is situated 4,5km outside of town along the Mortimer road. 8km out of town on the Queenstown road is Egg Rock, a 10m high solitary rock shaped like an egg that looks like it'll topple at any time! One of South Africa's favorite game reserves is the Mountain Zebra National Park, home to the mountain zebra, which is one of the world's most endangered species. The 6,400ha Park was set up in 1937 to protect the mountain zebra as initially, after having being severely hunted; the number totalled only six animals! The present population has grown to over 200. Many archaeological sites can be found throughout the park, and most include excellent examples of San rock artwork.

Cradock Entertainment: Just outside Cradock, visitors can experience the therapeutic properties of natural sulphur spring water at the Spa. Besides the springs there are picnic and braai areas as well as a children's playground. The Spa is also the start of two hiking trails, one 4,5km long up a mountain trail, and the other, 11km along the Great Fish River bank. Cradock is also a popular destination for canoeing and tubing enthusiasts.

Cradock Sport: Every year, the famous Fish River Canoe Marathon, which starts at Lake Arthur and Grassridge Dams, brings together the largest group of canoeists in South Africa.

Did you know? South Africa's most unusual chessboard can be found in Cradock - British soldiers carved it out of a flat ironstone slab high up on Salpeterkop during the South African (Anglo-Boer) War!