Tankwa Karoo National Park

Proclaimed in 1986 and measuring 146,373 ha, the Tankwa Karoo National Park is a four-hour drive from Cape Town.

Situated in the Succulent Karoo Biome, one of the world’s 35 biodiversity hotspots, the Park incorporates three distinct ecosystems - pure desert in the west, open grasslands in the centre and the Roggeveld Mountains in the east.

A large-scale game reintroduction programme aims at restoring large mammals as a key driver in maintaining biological diversity through trampling and herbivore disturbance. Reintroduced animals include Cape Mountain, Zebra, Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest, Springbok and Eland.

 

Five things to see and do

• Go stargazing –far from cities and other sources of light pollution, Tankwa is one of Africa’s best night-sky destinations.
• Join the annual Tankwa Birding Bonanza – each year, SANParks Honorary Rangers and various sponsors organise a fun birding weekend to view some of the desert birds of Tankwa’s Succulent Karoo Biome. Visit http://www.sanparksvolunteers.org/boland-region/ for more!
• Follow a 4x4 Trail – there are several off-road tracks with two major 4x4 routes for experienced drivers - Leeuberg 4x4 Eco-trail and the Watervlei 4x4 Route.
• Enjoy the view – There are two viewpoints, namely Gannaga Pass and Elandsberg, where visitors are allowed to exit vehicles.
• See the flora – At first glance, you may think there’s not much to see, but the Succulent Karoo vegetation reveals secrets of desert adaptation.. About 780 species are found here - with many of them endemic to this Biome.

 

Accommodation

Stay in accommodation at the Tankwa Guest house, book a cottage at the Elandsberg Wilderness Camp, camp at the Langkloof Campsite or get adventurous – fully self-sufficient campers can book an informal campsite. For options, CLICK HERE.

 

Information from SANParks Website

Scott Ramsay - www.yearinthewild.com 

SANParks Honoury Rangers - Website 

 

Eco-Logical Sponsors

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•