Tankwa Karoo National Park

Situated in the Northern Cape Province, visiting Tankwa Karoo National Park requires a fairly lengthy journey by road from the nearest major city, Cape Town. Once there, visitors can expect to find a richness of plant and animal life that belies the area’s location – the world’s only arid region that is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot, which contains the world’s richest collection of succulent flora.

This means that within the park’s borders, visitors will encounter 780 plant species. A particular star of this floral kingdom is the hoodia, which has been called one of the miracle plants of the 21st century due to its medicinal properties. The flowering season between August and October is a real highlight for plant lovers, as the hillsides and plains are drenched in colour.

Adding to the park’s list of attractions are herbivores of all sizes. Over the years, the park has undertaken relocation programs of Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest, gemsbok, springbok and eland in a successful attempt to maintain biodiversity. Other species within the park include kudu, steenbok and klipspringer, with the list of carnivores comprising black-backed jackal, Cape fox, African wild cat and caracal.

Bird lovers will find Tankwa Karoo National Park a rewarding place to visit, with over 180 bird species to spot. Ludwig’s bustard is a local resident, as well as the lark-like bunting, Cape eagle owl, African rock pipit, pale-winged starling, and Burchell’s courser.

The park is navigable in regular vehicles, but for those who prefer a park activity with a bit more adrenaline, Tankwa Karoo has two challenging 4×4 trails. Watervlei Eco Route is 20 km in length and runs from the west to the east, taking in spectacular mountain views as well as the Gannaga Pass along the way. The second route, Leeuberg, is an 11 km one-way route that includes the Rooivlei pan, as well as views of the Elandsberg and Roggeveld and Leeuberg mountains.

For a slower-paced challenge, the park allows for walking and cycling along marked roads within the vicinity of the rest camps. 

Accommodation at Tankwa Karoo National Park encompasses cottages, wilderness camps, campsites, and the Tanqua Guest House complex. 

The Paulshoek and De Zyfer Farm cottages both have two bedrooms, one bathroom and kitchen with cutlery, crockery, and utensils. Paulshoek has a wood stove for extra warmth on those chilly desert nights, as well as a wood-fired geyser.

The Tanqua Guesthouse complex can cater for larger groups in one- and two-bedroom units, each with fully equipped kitchen and 220V power. The complex also has a 900m airstrip for fly-in guests (conditions for aircraft apply).

Elandsberg Wilderness Camp is an isolated set of five private cottages with views over the otherworldly Roggeveld escarpment. These full-equipped, one-bedroom units each have an open-plan kitchen with solar-powered fridge and gas stove, as well as an indoor fireplace, covered patio with braai (BBQ) and splash pool.

Formal camping sites can be found at Langkloof and Perdekloof. These accommodation options provide private kitchens (for food prep and storage – no cooking facilities) and bathrooms with gas geysers. Perdekloof has limited solar lighting, but neither site has electrical plug points, and access requires a high-clearance vehicle.

Dotted around the park are six informal campsites, with no water or ablutions. Volmoesfontein and Bisjiesfontein are accessible by normal sedan, while Oom Rickert se Huis, Skaapwagterspos, Steenkampshoek and Pyper se Boom require high clearance or 4×4 vehicles.