What you need to know

Maximum number of vehicles? There’s no official number; this is determined by how many guests are staying at the lodge.

Do I get a map? No. Will I scratch my vehicle? Maybe some light scratch marks you can easily polish. Do I need to take a compressor? No. Can I braai halfway? Most definitely not! Can I turn around halfway? Yes, but it’s a twin-track and you don’t want to tread new tracks through the veld.

Is there cellphone signal? Here and there, but mostly not.

Best time to go? All year round. Can I take my family along? Yes, definitely. Just for the day or the weekend? At least a weekend. How long does it take? The 4x4 route takes four to six hours, depending on how often you stop for photos and whether a grumpy elephant ambushes you. Are there ablution facilities? No, just at the lodge.

Directions From Musina, follow the R572 regional road to Mapungubwe’s main gate. Check in at reception and drive 20 km west on the R572 to the Tshugulu gate, where you turn into the lodge. Hours 08:00 and 17:00 (office hours 08:00 to 18:00).

Price You have free access to the route if you’re a guest at the lodge.

Contact 015 534 7923/24 mapungubwe@sanparks.org sanparks.org

GPS S22.24328 E29.40066 (main gate)