Sanparks Karoo National Park

Karoo National Park, Sanparks

Description

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.

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.

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 (R7.00 tokens available at reception).

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.

Attractions

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

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
• 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.