This national park, located in the malaria-free mountains of the Karoo close to the town of Cradock in the Eastern Cape, owes its existence to the animal from which it takes its name.

Mountain zebras (unlike their cousin, the Burchell’s zebra) were once at risk of extinction, hence the establishment of a conservation area back in 1937 to conserve the few remaining animals. In the late 1990s, funds were raised to enlarge the park through the incorporation of surrounding farmland.

Today it is home to about 700 mountain zebra, many antelope species, cheetah, buffalo and a wealth of bird species.

Accommodation in the main camp ranges from self-catering cottages to a well-appointed Victorian guest house and camping. For the more adventurous, there are two mountain huts that can be hired by overnight visitors, but these can only be accessed by 4x4.

In the winter, nights are cold (be prepared for snow on the surrounding mountains) but it is generally sunny during the day. Summers are relatively mild to warm due to the park’s mountainous location.