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
- 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
- Tortoises – the park hosts 5 different species, the highest density of species per equivalent area anywhere in the world
- 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
- 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.
- 7 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.
- 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 stove) and lounge, bathroom (shower).
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 (R7.00 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.
- Note: A short 4x4 trail of 23km (takes 2-3 hours), with a Grade 4 rating, is available, climbing from the rest camp up the Pienaar’s Pass road to the plateau. The route returns via normal tourist roads on the Klipspringer Pass. The cost is R150 per vehicle.
- 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): R110 for adults and R55 for kids under 12 years of age.
- Morning Drive (2-3 hours): R450 for the first 1-4 people, R120 for each additional adult, R60 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 4.9 km and the other of 11.4 km 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
- 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
- Full conference equipment and catering service
- 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.
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Maps
Click on images to expand.
Camp Map
Park Map
Map & Design: Robin Frandsen
Regional Map
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Tariffs
-
2008/2009 Tariffs (word document or pdf document)
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 Fee for 1 November 2008 to 31 August 2009 |
|
|---|---|
South African Citizens and Residents (with ID): |
R19 per person, per day |
SADC Nationals (with passport): |
R38 per person, per day |
Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors): |
R76 per adult, per day |
Tariffs for 1 November 2008 to 31 August 2009 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unit type |
No. of units |
Rate |
Base |
Max. beds |
Add. Adult |
Add. Child |
| 24 |
R130 |
1–2 |
6 people per site |
R42 |
R21 | |
| 18 |
R640 |
1-2 |
2 single beds and 1 double sleeper couch |
n/a |
R87 | |
Chalet CH2/4Z (Breakfast included, accessible to the mobility challenged) |
2 |
R640 |
1-2 |
2 single beds and 1 double sleeper couch |
n/a |
R87 |
| 10 |
R710 |
1-2 |
1 double bed and 1 single sleeper couch |
n/a |
R87 | |
| 7 |
R980 |
1-4 |
6 single beds |
R174 |
R87 | |
Family Cottage FA6B (Breakfast included) |
1 |
R980 |
1-4 |
6 single beds |
R174 |
R87 |
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General 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.
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
Office Hours
Administration: Mondays to Fridays 07:30 to 16:00
The Reception Office is open from 07:00 to 19:00 daily.
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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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.
(Compiled by Chris Patton)
(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.
| Specie | Specie |
|---|---|
| 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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