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Camdeboo National Park
Activities and Facilities
Valley of Desolation
With an estimated 60 to 100 000 people who visit this site each year, the Valley of Desolation is a premier tourist attraction.
The Valley of Desolation was declared as a National Monument of geological and scenic significance by proclamation 2116 of the Government Gazette dated 22 December 1939.
The original road to the Valley of Desolation was constructed by labourers using picks, shovels and barrows. The road to the top of the valley was tarred in 1978 and today provides tourists with easy access to the viewpoints with their panoramic views of the landscape.
To the north, the highest peak in the Sneeuberg mountain range – Compassberg (2504 m) - is prominent, while on a clear day, the southern horizon stretches as far as the distant Cockscomb Mountains. To the east lies the 'Driekoppie' (in the park) and the Nardausberg (beyond the park boundaries), both of which are often covered in snow during winter. The Plains of Camdeboo lie spread out south of the Sneeuberg from Pearston to Murraysburg. The viewpoints at the valley itself provide a breathtaking view of piled dolerites columns against the backdrop of the plain of the Great Karoo and a timeless sense of wonder at a landscape said to be the product of the erosive and volcanic forces of nature over a period of 200 million years.
Visitors may learn more about the reserve through information displays at parking areas or viewpoints. The Valley of Desolation, sometimes referred to as the 'Cathedral of the Mountains' provides for many visitors an experience ranging from 'spiritual contact' to one of profound awareness of the environment.
Game Viewing
Presently, approximately 19 km of gravel roadways provide visitors with the opportunity to view the entire range of indigenous species in their preferred habitats. Through the Poverty Relief Programme, the game viewing road network will be extended and improved.
Impunzi picnic area has four sites suitable for family outings. Each site is provided with a 'braai' stand, picnic table and refuse drum. Water is available and the picnic area is provided with a 'long drop' toilet.
Camdeboo Environmental Education Centre
The centre and staff offer programmes to any formal group to promote awareness of and sensitivity towards the natural environment. Courses are tailored to meet visitors' needs up to a maximum of 40 people and may extend from one to four days. A nominal tariff is payable. This centre may also be booked for a team building or conference purpose.
Gannalapa
Gannalapa is an outdoor recreation facility development for use by the local community as well as tour groups who wish to hold a social function around picnic or 'braai' activities. It includes a bar, kitchen, toilets, braai circle with seating and picnic tables.
Watersports
The Nqweba Dam, which covers over 1 000 hectares, provides cool relief during hot summer days and a base for a variety of water activities. Boating, canoeing, fishing and windsurfing are allowed on the dam.
Nqweba Dam attracts a wide variety of birds as well as wildlife such as buffalo, gemsbok, springbok and black wildebeest which come to drink from the waters. Fish species which occur in the dam include moggel (Labeo umbratus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), mullet (Mugil cephalus), round herring (Gilchristella aestuaria), mosquitofish (Gambusia affinus) and river goby (Glossogobius callidus).
Trails and walks
The Crag Lizard Trail (45 minutes) starts at the Valley parking area and extends for about 1.5 km via the Valley viewpoints. It is marked with the Crag Lizard logo.
The Eerstefontein Day Walk starts and ends at the Spandaukop gate. There are three route options of 5; 11 and 14 km with good rest spots at Eerstefontein and Agtersfontein.
The Driekoppe Trail is an overnight trail in the mountains of the Eastern section of the park. The Waaihoek Trail Hut may be booked for up to two consecutive nights and accommodates 8 people.
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