Leokwe Rest Camp, Mapungubwe National Park, SANParks

Leokwe Rest Camp, Mapungubwe National Park, SANParks

Description

Leokwe is the largest rest camp in Mapungubwe
National Park. It is a wonderful setting, located
in a sheltered clearing surrounded by sandstone
outcrops and baobab trees. There are 18 units,
2 of which are accessible to guests with mobility
challenges, with ramped access and converted
ablutions. There is also a central communal
area with a plunge pool, a viewing deck, a
kitchen and boma area for catering for groups
larger than the individual units. This central
facility does have an accessible toilet, but the
rest of the facility, apart from the deck above the
pool, is not accessible to a person in a
wheelchair because of steps to different levels.

Accommodation

The accommodation units – known as
cottages - are very comfortable. They
comprise 2 basic sections; a bedroom
chamber with en suite ablutions; and a living
room section with an open plan kitchen.
Additionally there are outside braai boma and
eating areas on the far side of the units.

The parking outside the 2 accessible units is of
ample space on either side of the car doors, so
exiting and entering a vehicle is not a problem
as there is open space on either side of the
vehicle. However the ground surface, while firm
in places is soft powdery sand in places and this
compromises the ability for a wheelchair user to
move around, particularly when carrying
luggage.

Once disembarking from one’s vehicle there
is an access pathway leading to the front
doors of the accessible units. This is gravel at
first, but paved for the final few metres leading
up to the door. Where the paved surface
changes to gravel a deep ramp of the
appropriate gradient has been inserted as
erosion was a problem at this point and made
it difficult to negotiate in a wheelchair

A nice touch from the park’s technical staff is to provide the front door
with a grab handle on the door’s inside to allow wheelchair users to
close the door behind them. This was formerly a problem as the
conventional handle was too far out of reach when a wheelchair user
has passed through the doorway.

The main bedroom comprises of 2 single beds which have ample space to negotiate around and
convenient shelves to set things on all around the room. Other nice touches from an access
perspective are plugs at a convenient height for a person in a chair and the air-conditioner (so
often positioned high up on a wall and out of reach for a person in a chair) is at a low and wellsituated
height.

In the ablutions the toilet is located adjacent a shortened
wall that provides the entrance to an external shower area.
This unfortunately means that the cranked grab rail cannot
be positioned in the required position for the ideal layout. It
has thus been positioned in an unusual reverse position, but
at least this means for a wheelchair user the required
horizontal support is in the appropriate position

Another design shortcoming of the ablutions is that the basin is
out of reach of the toilet, which is not ideal. The basin itself is
also not very accessible. The shelf the basin is on is too low
and allows no clearance underneath, while the basin itself is
bowl shaped and is uncomfortable to use. Additionally the taps
are not push style or lever, which will be problematic for some
guests.

The units’ showers are rather quaint
facilities. There is a roll-in shower and a
standard shower provided. The roll-in
shower is not the most comfortable as
the sliding pole is positioned behind the
fold down seat and this seat is attached
to a wooden pole that means the support
from the latté is a few inches further
back.

As mentioned earlier the other chamber of the unit is an open
plan living area. This contains a double sleeper couch, a table
with 4 chairs (and sufficient clearance underneath).

The unit’s kitchen is open plan and is an extension of the living
area. There is a fridge, microwave and hotplates, while all the
required cutlery and crockery is provided. The twin sink does not
have clearance space beneath it, but there is plenty of space
alongside.

Attractions

Visit the Confluence

Enjoy a view over the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo rivers where three countries meet...

There is a picnic site with ablution facilities at the Confluence with shaded picnic spots with tables and taps. You can also hire a skottel braai and stock up on cooldrinks at the tuck shop.

Do the Tree Top Walk

Take a walk among the riverine forest on a raised canopy walk that takes you to a hide over looking the Limpopo River.

***Tariffs are effective from 1 November 2008 to 31 October 2009***

* Guided Walks are also available. Please contact the park for more information on this activity.

* Please note that all activities are subject to the availability of qualified staff and vehicles, and thus, they may not be always available.

Areas of Special Interest

The Lost City: Visit Mapungubwe Hill, where a far developed African civilisation prospered between 1200 and 1270 AD. The area was already inhabited by a growing Iron Age community from 900 AD and became rich through trade with faraway places like Egypt, India and China. This is the place where archeologists excavated the famous golden rhino and other evidence of a wealthy African kingdom.

Wildlife and Mystic Scenery: Sandstone formations, mopane woodlands and unique riverine forest and baobab trees form the astounding scenic backdrop for a rich variety of animal life. Elephant, giraffe, white rhino, eland, gemsbok and numerous other antelope species occur naturally in the area. Lucky visitors might spot predators like lions, leopards and hyenas. Birders can tick off 400 species, including kori bustard, tropical boubou and pel’s fishing owl.

Joining Nations: The Iron Age civilization of Mapungubwe was not limited by the Limpopo river and animals have always been able to wander around in the area of present-day South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. This is why South Africa signed a memorandum of understanding with Botswana and Zimbabwe on June 22nd setting out principles for the Limpopo-Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA).

Facilities