Bontebok National Park

This is South African National Parks' smallest park. It is situated on the banks of the Breede River, 5km from the town of Swellendam in the Western Cape. It protects flora of the Cape Floral Kingdom (a World Heritage Site), and the once critically endangered Bontebok.

According to SANParks, by the early 1800s there were only 17 Bontebok left globally. Some land owners set aside portions of their land as temporary reserves. In 1931, the first Bontebok National Park was proclaimed near Bredasdorp, and was later moved to its current location.

There are currently around 3000 bontebok worldwide, with about 200 found in this tiny park.

 

5 things to do

 

• Watch the unusual bontebok from your chalet
• Visit the old werf area where the legendary female Hessequa captain, Lang Elsie, lived with her followers between 1734 and 1800s
• Take a hike- walk one of the three hiking trails
• Dive into the Breede River - perfect activity on a hot summer's day!
• Go mountain biking on one of the demarcated trails

 

 Accommodation

Lang Elsie's Kraal restcamp, situated on the banks of the Breede River, is the first rest camp in South African National Parks to be built according to a "Touching the Earth Lightly" design. Named after a Khoe-Khoe Chieftain who lived there with her clan in the 18th century, the camp of 10 units provides pristine scenery of the park, Breede River and Langeberg Mountains. CLICK HERE for information.

Information sourced from SANParks Website 

 

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