Marakele National Park

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Marakele National Park
Marakele National Park: View over the Waterberg massif.

Marakele National Park: View over the Waterberg massif.

location South Africa
surface 670 km²
WDPA ID 116257
Geographical location 24 ° 23 ′  S , 27 ° 37 ′  E Coordinates: 24 ° 23 ′ 9 ″  S , 27 ° 37 ′ 0 ″  E
mark
Map of southern Africa
Setup date 1994
administration South African National Parks
f6

The protected area of ​​the Marakele National Park ( English Marakele National Park ) is located in the middle of the Waterberg Mountains in South Africa . As its Tswana name suggests, the sanctuary is a place with a multitude of animals, favored by its location between the dry west and the wetter east of South Africa.

history

The Marakele National Park was founded in 1994 and was initially called Kransberg National Park. In 1999 some of the so-called Tuli elephants were released back into the wild in the Marakele National Park, which was accompanied by a large media presence.

geography

The park is characterized by the contrast between the mountains, the hills covered with grassland and the deep valleys. Rare tree species such as yellowwood and cedar, as well as cycads (cycads) and tree ferns more than five meters high are just some of the notable plants here. All large wild animals, from elephants and rhinoceros to big cats, live in the national park. Far away there are many species of birds including the endangered Cape Vulture , of which 800 breeding pairs are still counted.

Infrastructure

The Marakele National Park is currently divided into two parts by a public gravel road (Hoopdal Road): into the Kwaggasvlakte area of ​​around 2500 hectares and the Greater Marakele National Park. Most of the protected area is only passable for four-wheel drive vehicles. The names of the camps came about in the course of a survey among the locals.

Tlopi Tented Camp

The camp is located on a reservoir that is fed by the Tlopi River. The name is derived from Motlopi, as the Witgat tree (Latin Boscia albitrunca) is called in Tswana . Also known as the shepherd's tree, it is widespread on the banks of the Tlopi. Originally the camp stood 15 km further northeast on the bank of the Matlabas River, but was then relocated, among other things to concentrate the accommodations on the edge of the park.

Bontle Camping Site

Bontle means "beautiful" in Tswana. This camp is located next to the new park reception and administration at the former entrance to the picnic area at Kwaggasvlakte.

particularities

  • Cape vultures can be seen circling in the park.
  • Rhinos: A large number of animals of both species live in Marakele, especially the diurnal white rhinoceros (white rhinoceros), which live in groups.
  • Kudu: As seasonal migratory animals, these antelopes are in their element here.
  • Otherwise rare species of antelope such as reedbuck, mountain reedbuck, elan and lyre antelope are native to the Marakele National Park.

Web links and sources

Commons : Marakele National Park  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files
  • South African National Parks: Marakele National Park . National park administration website at www.sanparks.org (English)

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ http://www.sanparks.org/parks/marakele/tourism/history.php ; Retrieved November 16, 2013
  2. ↑ http://www.sanparks.org/parks/marakele/default.php ; Retrieved November 16, 2013