Bontebok National Park

Situated 240km from Cape Town, and just 6km from the historic town of Swellendam, Bontebok National Park is easily accessible from the N2, and offers visitors a charming experience that’s special amongst South Africa’s national parks.

A perfect stopover on a road trip between the area’s many tourist favourites, Bontebok National Park’s antelope population includes two types of rhebok, together with red hartebeest and, of course, the resilient bontebok, characterised by a dramatic white flash on the face and it’s angular, ringed horns. Lucky visitors may also spot the endangered Cape mountain zebra.

Bontebok is a bird watcher’s paradise. Alongside the peaceful grazers and small predators like caracal and Cape fox, are around 200 bird species that would make excellent additions to any twitcher’s list – from the blue crane to the acacia pied barbet, to the Denham’s bustard and swee waxbill.

Providing a serene and unforgettable backdrop to all the animal life in the park, the Cape Floral Kingdom is one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth. In Bontebok’s case, the especially enviable collection of fynbos plants, including the erica, gladiolus and protea, are fed by the Breede River, and the density of plant life that thrives in the park is simply astounding.

For more active visitors, there are opportunities to hike along relatively easy-going trails, as well as take a leisurely swim or canoe trip in the Breede River. Fishing is also an option. 

Take time to appreciate the wonders of the park’s natural beauty by spending time in the Lang Elsies Kraal rest camp, which features private sundecks drenched in views of the Breede River and the Langeberg Mountains. Alternatively, there are riverfront caravan and camping sites available.