The Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre makes wildlife viewing a specific focus in Mokopane. At the same time, the centre’s history spans its founding and its later inclusion in the Makapan Valley World Heritage Site. Makapans Cave, which is important for understanding human evolution, is also nearby. When looking for a hotel in Mokopane, it helps to first consider which focus you want to shape your stay: activities at the nature reserve or the cave’s connection to human history.
Natural surroundings and wildlife viewing
The Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre is on the outskirts of town and covers 1,395 hectares. The grounds include a zoo-like setting, breeding enclosures and an open-range area. They are home to many African species as well as species from other continents. The different areas shape the character of the centre, and the activities offered each have a different focus. The feeding tour visits the breeding enclosures, while game drives take visitors into the nature reserve. There, the focus is on observing biodiversity.
Feeding tour or game drive?
On the morning feeding tour, visitors can accompany staff to the breeding enclosures to feed buffalo and roan antelope. Advance booking is required for this tour. A maximum of ten people are allowed per vehicle, and only one group may take part in each tour. On game drives, groups enter the nature reserve accompanied by staff. Advance booking is also required, and the same limits apply: a maximum of ten people per vehicle and one group per tour. A game drive lasts an average of about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on tour operations. The choice therefore depends on your preferred focus: the morning feeding of two animal species or observing biodiversity on a drive through the reserve. Check the availability and current booking arrangements for both tours with SANBI before your trip.
History and surroundings
The centre was founded in 1979 and opened to the public in October 1981 as an outpost of the National Zoological Garden in Pretoria. Since its proclamation in December 2007, it has been part of the Makapan Valley World Heritage Site, one of the three component sites of the Cradle of Humankind. These details connect the centre’s institutional origins with its later inclusion in the World Heritage Site.
Near Mokopane, Makapans Cave lies in the Waterberg, northeast of the town, in Limpopo Province. The cave is important for understanding human evolution. It therefore offers a distinct point of interest alongside wildlife viewing at the centre. Those interested in human history will find a different focus here from the guided activities in the nature reserve.
Practical information for your visit
There are no shops, restaurant or canteen at the Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre. Make any necessary purchases before arriving. As these operational details may change, check with SANBI before your trip. It is also worth checking with them about the tours: the feeding tour requires advance booking, game drives must be booked in advance, and group-size limits apply to both.
Discover more destinations: Bela-Bela, Bulge River, Behoudeniskloof, Eckstein, Lephalale, Marken, Mookgopong, Elandsbosch.
For the broader travel overview: Waterberg.
