Beyond wildlife: The human history hidden in SA’s national parks

From ancient archaeological discoveries to rock art sites and places of spiritual significance, our national parks hold chapters of South Africa’s story that cannot be found in textbooks alone.

In the far north of the Kruger National Park – a landscape global tourists associate strictly with wildlife – lies the ancient stone citadel of Thulamela.

Yet, hidden among these same landscapes, are ancient footprints, archaeological treasures, sacred sites, rock art, graves, battlefields and cultural traditions that tell the story of who we are as a people.