Mapungubwe National Park, one of Limpopo's exciting new tourism icons, aroused a great deal of interest at Indaba 2004, the country's premier international tourism trade fair, which was held in Durban during the past week.

The new park, previously known as the Vhembe/Dongola National Park, was officially launched at the Indaba by South African National Parks Chief Executive David Mabunda, who said the organisation was very excited about the new addition to the country's network of protected areas.

The park also formed a prominent part of the Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board's stand at the Durban Exhibition Centre.

"Our decision to develop the Mapungubwe National Park is based on its rich biodiversity and scenic beauty, as well as its immense cultural and historical significance, due to the archaeological treasures found there," Mabunda told local and international guests who attended the launch.

He went on to explain that the new park, situated at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashi rivers, would be an important component of the envisaged Limpopo/ Shashe Transfrontier Park

"SANParks believes the development of Mapungubwe will help to create a Southern African regional growth point for tourism and conservation," Mabunda said.

 The new national park comprises the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape and the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site, in an area covering 28 000 hectares.

 Gold artefacts, beads, burial grounds and other remains discovered there, throw a lot of light on to the way of life of African people more than 1 000 years ago.

 The whole area around the national park boasts a substantial amount of San Rock Art sites, dating back at least 15 000 years.

 Endangered species such as black and white rhinoceros, as well as wild dog, are to be introduced in the park's conservation areas. Accommodation and other tourist facilities will be opened to the public in August this year.