Lanner Gorge

The Lanner Gorge is located in the far North of the Kruger National Park. It forms the boundary between the Kruger National Park to the South and the Makuleke Concession to the North. It was carved by the Luvuvhu River and is at some points more than 150 m deep.

Lanner Gorge, Makuleke Area, Kruger National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Location in Limpopo province
LocationLimpopo, South Africa
Nearest cityTshipise, South Africa
Coordinates22°26′19″S 31°08′48″E
Areaabout 11 kilometres long
EstablishedIncorporated into Kruger Park 1969 returned to Makuleke people 1998
Governing bodyNational Park Service and Makuleke People

Description

Lanner Gorge is approximately 11 km long and is carved into sandstones and shales.[1]

Geology
Lanner Gorge from the so-called "Lookout" point on the Makuleke side, one of the highest points in the Gorge.

The uppermost rocks are gravels which are thought to be Cretaceous in age while the basal shales are thought to be Permian in age.[2] The majority of the walls appear to be composed of Triassic and Jurassic aged sandstones formed under arid conditions.[2]

The Luvuvhu river has eroded through the sandstones and shales and formation is still active as is evidenced by the many collapsed boulders in the river bed.

Desert rose in the Jurassic sandstones of the walls of Lanner Gorge.

Dinosaur fossils have been discovered in the walls of Lanner Gorge and rocks in the surrounding region.[1][2][3] Desert roses are also common in the Triassic and Jurassic-aged rocks.[2]

The precise geological age of the gorge is unknown, however, the absence of Early Stone Age occupation in the many caves and shelters in the gorge suggests that the gorge may be relatively young and have formed in the last 2 million years.[1]

Flooding

As the Luvuvhu River is still a young, active river, flooding is common and the gorge is often cluttered with debris such as fallen trees.[1]

Access
Crossing the Luvuvhu River in Lanner Gorge near the western end. Crocodiles and hippos are a constant threat.

Access to the gorge is extremely limited due to its steepness and its status as a wilderness area of Kruger. Nevertheless, some walking trails approach and enter the gorge from both the Makuleke area[4] as well as from the Kruger side.[5]

Wildlife

The gorge holds a variety of wildlife including abundant crocodiles, hippos, hyraxes, baboons, leopards and other small game. Elephants and buffalo and other larger game are common at both ends of the gorge, but have difficulty in accessing the central region due to the steep walls.[1][4]

There is an abundance of birds including raptors such as the black eagle and lanner falcon - after which the gorge is named.[1]

Other interesting facts
  • The archeological site of Thulamela is located just outside the eastern end of the gorge.[2]
  • Legend has it that a former chief used to throw criminals and enemies to their death from the highest points of the gorge.[1]
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References
  1. Berger, L.R. (2004). "Into the Heart of Eden" (PDF). Prime Origins. p. 97. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-10-15.
  2. Berger, L.R. (2005). "the History of the Makuleke Concession" (PDF). Wilderness Safaris. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-28.
  3. "Euskelosaurus Locations". 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  4. Wilderness Safaris (2006). "Wilderness News". Kruger National Park Safaris.
  5. SANP (2007). "Kruger Park trails". Kruger National Park Safaris.
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