SANParks BREAKS GROUND ON ROAD UPGRADES TO IMPROVE ACCESS AND VISITOR EXPERIENCE AT MAPUNGUBWE NATIONAL PARK
Two vehicles donated through the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas Financing Facility, supporting enhanced operations at Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site
By Reynolds Thakhuli
SANParks Acting Head of Communications and Spokesperson
South African National Parks (SANParks) officially commenced the Road Upgrades Project at Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site in Limpopo Province on Thursday, 13 November 2025.
Ms Ndapanda Kanime (SADC Secretariat), Mr Nils Meyer (KfW), Mr Sydney Nkosi (DFFE), and Park Manager Mr Mphadeni Nthangeni at the Mapungubwe Road Upgrades groundbreaking, joined by another SADC representative
The project is funded through the Southern African Development Community Transfrontier Conservation Areas (SADC TFCA) Financing Facility with financial support from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany under the KfW Development Bank, and implemented in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Delegates from DFFE, SANParks, IUCN, KfW Development Bank and partners at the official launch of the Mapungubwe Road Upgrades Project
SANParks received a grant of EUR 600,000 (approximately R11.9 million) for the project, which includes road upgrades as well as the procurement of two vehicles to support day-to-day park operations, including law enforcement and anti-poaching patrols.
The upgrades will improve accessibility to one of the main heritage interpretation sites within the park, enhance visitor experience, and support operational efficiency including anti-poaching response.
This milestone reinforces continued efforts to preserve the cultural landscape and natural ecosystems of the park.
Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site forms part of the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area shared by South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
The initiative strengthens cross-border collaboration that supports biodiversity conservation, heritage protection and tourism development in the region.
