As luminous clouds of dust swirl through the ancient landscape, a tortoise patiently ambles around in search of some succulent morsel, a lizard basks in the sun while suricates and mongoose share the arid plains with orb-web spiders, centipedes and leggy toktokkies…

Tankwa Karoo National Park is situated on the southern boundary of the Northern Cape with the Roggeveld Escarpment in the East, Cederberg in the West, and Klein Roggeveld Mountains in the South.

Just a four hour drive from Cape Town brings you to this unique national park situated within the Succulent Karoo Biome where you'll find rare and endangered plant species, rich endemic birdlife, and landscapes that will take your breath away – from the sheer cliffs of the Roggeveld Escarpment to the moonscapes of the Tankwa Desert.

While Tankwa Karoo National Park is still in a developmental and land consolidation phase, expanding from the original 26,000 hectares in 1986 to nearly 111,000 ha in 2007, it is the ideal destination for those seeking the brightest stars in Africa, a once in a lifetime glimpse of a rare endemic bird or perhaps nothing more than a silence that reaches deep into the soul…


ACCOMMODATION

Paulshoek Cottage
The Paulshoek farmstead was restored in 2003 and able to accommodate up to six people. The cottage is situated approximately 5km from the new park offices at Roodewerf and has beautiful views of the imposing Roggeveld Escarpment and plains in-between.

• Two bedrooms, 4 beds (1 double bed and 1 single bed per room)
• One bathroom (shower only)
• Open-plan kitchen and living-room
• Braai-facilities
• Fully equipped with linen, cutlery, towels, cooking utensils etc.
• Gas two-plate stove and fridge
• Paraffin lamps and candles (provided)
• “Donkey” / boiler, wood supplied
• Wood stove for lighting during cold spells

Varschfontein Cottage
The Varschfontein Cottage, also an old farmhouse, was renovated in 2005 and is situated 45km from the park offices at Roodewerf and able to accommodate up to nine people. The cottage lies within the dry Westerly Section of Tankwa National Park and the desolate beauty of the area is truly breathtaking.

• Three bedrooms, 6 beds (1 double bed and 1 single bed per room)
• One bathroom (shower only)
• Open-plan kitchen and living-room
• Braai-facilities
• Reservoir for swimming purposes
• Accessibility by low-clearance vehicles hampered by the occurrence of water relay humps in road
• Access through sedan & 2x4 vehicles not advisable in winter
• Fully equipped with linen, cutlery, crockery, towels, cooking utensils etc.
• Gas two-plate stove and fridge
• Paraffin lamps and candles (provided)
• “Donkey” / boiler, wood supplied
• Hearth inside house for cooking or lighting of fire during cold spells

Elandsberg Wilderness Camp
Development of a five cottage wilderness camp was initiated in September 2006, with the first two cottages completed in July 2007. The wilderness camp is situated in the hills of the area known as the Elandsberg, with views of Tanqua Karoo plains and the imposing Roggeveld Escarpment. Each cottage is built with locally made clay-and-straw bricks with sections of walls built with rocks from the site, a traditional building method which can still be seen in many of the ruins within the park.

Three cottages consist of a bedroom, bathroom, open-plan kitchen and living room, the latter able to sleep a further two people on a queen-sized sleeper couch and thus capable of accommodating a total of four guests each. A universal unit for mobility impaired guests and a two bedroom unit completes the wilderness camp. Each unit also has a small splash-pool.

• One bathroom (shower only)
• Open-plan kitchen and living-room
• Covered Braai / Stoep
• Fire-place in living room
• Accessibility by low-clearance vehicles hampered at present
• Fully equipped with linen, cutlery, crockery, towels, cooking utensils etc.
• Gas appliances
• Paraffin lamps and candles (provided)


ROADS
Please take care when driving in this region. The road gravel is sharp and often loose, and a great deal of caution needs to be taken with corners and sudden stops. Furthermore, please give some thought to your fuel and water requirements, bearing in mind that there are no towns in the Tankwa Karoo proper, and the closest refuelling points are Ceres, Sutherland Middelpos and Calvinia. Those with thirsty engines may consider packing a (full) jerry-can to guard against potential concerns over birding detours.


VITAL INFORMATION

• Last stops for fuel (measured from park offices) are Ceres (180km), Calvinia (110km), Sutherland (140km – closed from Saturdays 13:00 for weekend) and Middelpos (50km – only Lead Replacement and Diesel)
• No shops, restaurants, public phones or ATM’s in the park
• General Dealer and Bottle Store in Middelpos
• No cellphone reception within the park or main access roads
• No credit card facilities available at present
• Prosopis Wood for sale in park
  
  

RATES
All rates are self-catering unless specified otherwise.

IMPORTANT: Deposits & payments
A 50% deposit is required within 1 week of making a booking. For bookings made within 7 days of arrival, immediate and full payment is required within 24 hours upon confirmation of the booking. Final and full payment for all reservations is due 7 days prior to arrival. Rates are to be used as a guide only - full quotes will be provided upon receipt of an enquiry.

When making an enquiry, please supply full detail regarding the number of adults, number of children together with their ages, arrival and departure dates, accommodation type(s) required and number of nights in each rest camp. Also supply alternative dates and rest camps where possible. Children under 2 are free of charge. Bookings open 1 year in advance - it is essential to book as early as possible for busy/peak periods and school holidays.

VALID 01 NOVEMBER 2008 – 31 MARCH 2009

PLEASE NOTE
CAMP & CARAVAN SITES ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS PARK.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A BOOKING ENQUIRY !