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Karoo National Park

All-in-One

This page displays all information relevant to this park/camp, except the following:

Towards late afternoon, the great, unyielding canopy slowly softens its fierceness, and from pastel shades of pink and blue, the colours deepen, setting the endless Karoo canvas ablaze with glorious hues of orange and red. The Great Karoo is a vast and unforgiving landscape of which the Karoo National Park is but a small portion. Being the largest ecosystem in South Africa, the Karoo is home to a fascinating diversity of life, all having adapted to survive in these harsh conditions. Karoo National Park is dominated by the lofty Nuweveld Mountains and rolling plains, where many species that originally occurred here now occupy their former ranges.

The Karoo National Park has a wide variety of endemic wildlife. Many species have been relocated to their former ranges - such as black rhino and buffalo, as well as Cape mountain zebra. Over 20 breeding pairs of black eagle find sanctuary within the park.

There is also a wide diversity of succulent plants and small reptiles.

 

Areas Of Special Interest

  • The Klipspringer Mountain Pass not only provides visitors with spectacular views, but the pass is also an example of civil engineering toil and precision.

Things to Seek

  1. Black Eagle – with around 20 pairs of these eagles breeding, the park can lay claim to one of the highest densities of this regal species in Africa
  2. Tortoises – the park hosts 5 different species, the highest density of species per equivalent area anywhere in the world
  3. Cape Mountain Zebra – this species came close to extinction early in the 20th Century. It is well established in the park and visitors have the opportunity to compare its bold stripe pattern to that of the “quagga” strain
  4. Springbok – the emblem of the park and present in high numbers. This is a reminder of the once massive herds that crossed the Karoo on annual migration that could stretch for several kilometres.

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Accommodation

Main Restcamp

  • All accommodation is serviced daily and equipped with bedding, towels and soap.
  • Breakfast in included in the acccommodation costs, with the exception of camp sites.
  • 8 Cape Dutch style family units, each with two bedrooms (six beds in total), en suite bathrooms (bath and shower), DSTV (limited channels), and fully equipped kitchen (kettle, toaster, stove, oven, fridge, cutlery and crockery. One unit (No. 8) has been adapted for persons with limited mobility and this contains a bath only.
  • 19 Cape Dutch style units, each with a bathroom (shower and bath), open-plan areas with 2 single beds and a double sleeper couch and kitchenettes with basic equipment. Two units have been adapted for persons with limited mobility and these contain showers only..
  • 10 Cape Dutch style cottages - one bedroom (double bed) open plan kitchen (microwave and three-plate hob) and lounge, bathroom (shower) and DSTV (limited channels).

Camping

  • 24 award-winning camping and caravan campsites amidst a veritable green oasis in the rugged Karoo environment with communal ablutions (shower and baths) and kitchen facilities with stove plates and scullery.
  • All caravan sites equipped with 220V power points.
  • A maximum of six persons, one caravan with a side tent and one vehicle, or one tent and one vehicle, or one autovilla or one motorised caravan will be permitted per site.
  • Laundry with a washing machine and tumble drier (R10 tokens available at reception).

To view the accommodation prices, refer to Tariffs

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Activities

Adventure and Outdoor Activities

  • Scenic drive along the picturesque Klipspringer Pass with its environmentally friendly style of construction and the scenic viewpoint at Rooivalle.
  • Game viewing in ones own vehicle.
  • Nuweveld EcoTrail (90km) and Afsaal EcoTrail (13km) are available to visitors in 4x4 vehicles.
    • These two routes branch off the Potlekkertjie Loop and are available free of charge. About 50 kilometres of the Nuweveld trail is a Grade one 4x4 trail with some steep, rocky sections and sandy dry river crossings.
    • The Embizweni Cottage is available for visitors to overnight on the Nuweveld Trail. The cottage provides fully-equipped accommodation for six people with a gas-powered stove, fridge and geysers as well as solar-powered lights.
    • Rates are R700 for 1-4 people plus R175 for each additional adult and R88 for each additional child, R22 pp /day C/Levy (rates valid until 31 October 2010).
    • Bookings can be made via the Park’s reception on lorrianb@sanparks.org or Tel: +27(0)23 4152828.
  • Guided game drives, under guidance of trained staff. Departure times can be confirmed with reception and a minimum of 4 people are needed for each drive, and a maximum of 9 per drive can be accommodated. The tariffs are:
    • Night Drive (1½ hours): R130 for adults and R65 for kids under 12 years of age.
    • Morning Drive (2-3 hours): R640 (1-4 pax), R160 for each additional adult, R80 for each additional child.
  • Hiking Trails: There are three trails namely the Bossie Trail, the Pointer Hiking Trail and the Karoo Fossil Trail.
    • Bossie Trail: The Bossie Trail is 800m long. Visitors can collect a pamphlet at reception which holds a detailed key to the fascinating attributes and medicinal/cultural uses of some of the plants found along the route.
    • Pointer Trail: The Pointer Trail offers two route options: one of 4.9km and the other of 11.4km and spectacular views over the landscapes of the Park.
    • Karoo Fossil Trail: This 400m long trail depicts the geology and palaeontology of the Great Karoo. Genuine fossils and petrified wood are on display on this paved trail, accessible for wheelchair-users.
  • Bird hide at the dam near main rest camp.
  • Interpretive Centre.
  • Bulkraal picnic spot with a swimming pool, ablution facilities, and braai facilities.

Facilities

Please Note: The swimming pool for overnight visitors is currently closed due to urgent repairs. Visitors can use the day visitor swimming pool at Bulkraal instead. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

  • Breakfast is included in all accommodation costs , expect for campsites.
  • Fully licensed a la carte restaurant which is open for breakfast and dinner from 07h00 and 10h00 and 18h00 and 21h00 respectively.
  • Shop where curios and basic commodities may be purchased between 07h30 and 20h00.
  • Interpretive Centre.
  • Washing - machine and tumble drier in the camping site. Tokens are available at reception for R10.
  • Picnic, braai and ablution facilities for day visitors at Bulkraal picnic site.
  • Swimming pool for resident guests only.
  • Public telephone
  • Conference Facilities
    • Full conference equipment and catering service
      Reservations: Tel +27 12 426 5025 / Fax +27 12 343 2005 / 6
  • The town of Beaufort West is 12 kilometres away from the rest camp, with shops, a golf course, pharmacy, fuel station, hospital, bowling green, and the Chris Barnard Museum.

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History

During the late 1950’s a local farmer (and twitcher) William Quinton campaigned for a conservation area in the Beaufort West vicinity. However, it was only in the 1970s that South African National Parks proposed the establishment of a National Park that would be representative of the Nama Karoo Biome after a campaign launched by the South African Nature Foundation (SANF) and funded through the commission and sale of special art stamps depicting the flora and fauna of the Great Karoo. After considering a number of possible suitable areas it was decided to establish this new park in the vicinity of Beaufort West. In a gesture of support, the Town Council of Beaufort West donated 7 209 ha of communal land north-west of the town to the South African National Parks. This area then formed the nucleus of the Karoo NP, proclaimed in 1979. SANF purchased additional land to be incorporated into Karoo NP, and in 1989 a luxury rest camp was opened.

The Great Karoo is an area of unrivalled importance for understanding the evolution of the oldest known complex ecosystems on land. The park forms part of one of the Karoo’s classic study and collecting areas for the wealth of ancient petrified fossils of the long-gone Karoo animals. In the Karoo NP there is a clearly visible link between the geological horizons of the plains of Beaufort West, progressing through time, layer by layer, to those at the top of the Nuweveld escarpment.

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How to get there

Many visitors to Karoo National Park access the Park by car as this allows them the freedom to explore the park at their own leisure.

The Park is a convenient stopover on the N1 route between Cape Town and the interior of the country. Cape Town is situated about 500 km south of the Park. Johannesburg is situated about 1000 km north of the Park.

The rest camp of the Park is situated 12 km from the town of Beaufort West in the Western Cape, off the N1 highway.

Air

The closest airport is situated in George, approximately 300 km from the Park.

International airports are situated in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

An airport for small aircraft is situated 10 km north of Beaufort West (no scheduled flights).

Car hire

Car hire facilities are located at airports and major cities.

Internal Road Network

All internal roads are tarred, with the exception of the 4x4 Trail. Coaches and buses cannot access all roads in the Park – drivers should contact Park Reception for more information.

GPS Coordinates

Name

X_coord

Y_coord

Entrance Gate

22.54124

-32.36343

Unmanned Gate

22.46207

-32.29021

Gate Hours

  • 05:00 – 22:00
  • Arrivals after 22:00 are not permitted without prior arrangement.
  • The reception office is open from 07:00 to 19:00.
  • Visitors with reserved accommodation who will arrive after 19:00 must make prior arrangements to collect the keys to their accommodation at the entrance gate. Please call the camp at Tel +27 (0)23 415 2828.

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Maps

Click on images to expand.

Camp Map

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional Map

Park Map

 

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Tariffs

Members of SANParks’ loyalty programme WILD do not pay conservation fees provided that proof of Identity and their WILD card are shown on arrival.

Daily Conservation Fees for 1 September 2009 to 31 October 2010

South African Citizens and Residents (with ID):

R22 per person, per day

SADC Nationals (with passport):

R44 per person, per day
R22 per child, per day

Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors):

R88 per adult, per day
R44 per child, per day

 

Tariffs for 1 September 2009 to 31 October 2010
Unit type
No. of units
Rate
Base
Max. beds
Add. Adult
Add. Child

24

R150

1–2

6 people per site

R48

R24

18

R735

1-2

2 single beds and 1 double sleeper couch

n/a

R100

Chalet CH2/4Z (Breakfast included, accessible to the mobility challenged)

2

R735

1-2

2 single beds and 1 double sleeper couch

n/a

R100

10

R815

1-2

1 double bed and 1 single sleeper couch

n/a

R100

7

R1 115

1-4

6 single beds

R200

R100

Family Cottage FA6B (Breakfast included)

1

R1 115

1-4

6 single beds

R200

R100

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Vital Information

Climate

Annual rainfall totals 260 mm, with the plains being hot in summer, and the mountain areas relatively cool throughout the year. During mid-winter snow occurs regularly on the peaks of the Nuweveld Mountains.

Day Visitors

Day Visitors are welcome and no bookings are required for day visits.

Fuel Stations: Petrol/ Diesel

Vehicle fuel is available in all parks (or is available on the park periphery):

  • South African legislation stipulates that fuel stations will accept legitimate petrol/fuel/garage/credit/debit cards or cash as a form of payment for any fuel purchase.

Office Hours

Administration: Mondays to Fridays 07:30 to 16:00

The Reception Office is open from 07:00 to 19:00 daily.

Tips and Hints

  • Pets are not allowed in national parks.
  • Firearms to be declared at reception where they will be sealed. The seal will be broken upon departure.
  • Motorcycles or bicycles are not allowed.
  • Hospital, doctors, pharmacies, as well as vehicle repair and police services in Beaufort West.
  • Fuel available in Beaufort West.
  • Cool clothing for summer and warm for winter – the region is subject to sudden changes in weather, particularly in the mountains.
  • Remember to bring a hat, walking shoes, sun block, camera, binoculars and bird and mammal reference books.
  • Hikers on day trails must always carry sufficient water.

Contact Information

For enquiries e-mail Karoo National Park or phone us on the following numbers:

Park:
Tel: +27 (0)23 415 2828 / 9
Fax: +27 (0)23 415 1671

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Birding in Karoo National Park

While birding on the plains route, larks and chats are prominent. Karoo Korhaan, Ludwig’s Bustard and Namaqua Sandgrouse should also be looked for. The park’s best birding occurs in and around the campsite. Acacia Pied Barbet, Red-eyed Bulbul, Karoo Scrub Robin, Cape Robin-chat, Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, Layard’s Tit-babbler, Yellow-bellied Eremomola, Pale-winged Starling, Southern (Lesser) Double-collared and Dusky Sunbird and Redheaded Finch are all ever present. Karoo Eremomela, Namaqua Warbler (Prinia) and Pririt Batis are regional specials to be looked out for. Raptors to look out for include Booted Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Rock Kestrel and large numbers of Lesser Kestrel in summer. The park also has a high concentration of Verreaux’s (Black) Eagle.

(For more birding information and park bird checklist, go to Information for Birders)

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Mammals and Reptiles

Because of the sparse vegetation, game viewing in Karoo National Park is easily facilitated. Best viewing is achieved on the 13km “Lammertjiesleegte” Route on the plains.

Large herbivores such as Red Hartebeest, Black Wildebeest, Eland, the two zebra species, kudu and springbok are all regularly seen. Klipspringer are regularly seen on the pass of the same name. Other species are less obvious due to smaller size, nocturnal habits or restriction to the wilderness areas of the park.

Common Name

 

Cape rock elephant-shrew

Cape Fox

Smith's rock elephant-shrew

Bat-eared Fox

Round-eared elephant-shrew

Cape Clawless Otter

Lesser red musk shrew

Striped Polecat

Forest shrew

Water Mongoose

Lesser dwarf shrew

Yellow Mongoose

Common split-faced bat

Small Grey Mongoose

Cape serotine bat

Suricate

Melck's serotine bat

Small-spotted Genet

Vervet monkey

Aardwolf

Chacma Baboon

Caracal

Cape Hare

African Wildcat

Scrub Hare

Antbear (Aardvark)

Smith’s Red Rock Rabbit

Rock Hyrax

Riverine Rabbit

Black Rhinoceros

Pouched mouse

Cape Mountain Zebra

Grey pygmy climbing mouse

Burchell’s Zebra with Quagga bred characteristics

Pygmy mouse

Black Wildebeest

Short-tailed gerbil

Red Hartebeest

Hairy-footed gerbil

Springbok

Grant's rock mouse

Klipspringer

Namaqua rock mouse

Steenbok

Multimammate mouse

Gemsbok

Striped mouse

Kudu

Saunders' vlei rat

Eland

Karoo bush rat

Common Duiker

Spectacled Dormouse

Gemsbok

Porcupine

Grey Rhebuck

Common Molerat

Mountain reedbuck

Reptiles

Karoo National Park has a very rich reptilian fauna. Of particular significance are the 5 species of tortoise. However there is also a terrapin, an agama, 2 chameleons, a monitor, 18 snakes and several geckos, skinks and lizards.

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Vegetation

The vegetation in the Karoo National Park falls within the Karoo-Namib bio-geographical region, with areas of the park falling into the Nama Karoo Biome..

The vegetation physiognomy consists of Montane Karoo grassy shrublands, Karoo grassy dwarf shrublands, Karoo succulent dwarf shrublands, and riparian thicket. Steep elevation and precipitation gradients have a direct impact on gradients in vegetation. High elevation (1800 m) and relatively high rainfall (406 mm) montane grasslands occupy communities dominated by grasses. The increasing aridity away from the escarpment edge is steep, and Motane Karoo dwarf shrublands replace these mesic communities. At lower elevation (800 m) the precipitation is very low (175 mm) and uncertain. The substrata influence the vegetation, with the sandy substrata of the drainage lines supporting more woody taxa and grasses. Moving away from the mesic environment of the riparian zone, rapid desiccation occurs and more xeric communities are encountered.

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People with disabilities

Wheelchair Access

The rest camp has three units accessible to wheelchair users (2 chalets with 2 beds and a sleeper couch and and one unit with 6 single beds in 2 bedrooms). The reception area and shop can be accessed easily enough (there is a small step at the entrance to the building.) Descending into the restaurant is currently achieved via an exceptionally steep ramp, and even the strongest of wheelchair users will need assistance.

The highlight of the park from an accessibility perspective is a fossil trail accessible to wheelchairs and most of the circuit is on a smooth, firm surface with an appropriate gradient. A bird hide and a couple of other walks are not accessible, but wheelchair users can follow the road down to the picturesque campsite and make their way around it absorbing the fauna and flora. Birds, insects and tortoises are particularly prominent. Otherwise visitors can go on a scenic mountain drive or a game viewing plains drive.

(Please see additional information on Wheelchair Accessibility)

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