The Karoo National Park was proclaimed in 1979 to protect the Nama-Karoo biome. The South African Nature Foundation (SANF) collected funds by selling special art stamps depicting the fauna and flora of the Great Karoo and the first 7 209 ha of land was donated by the Town Council of Beaufort West. In 1989 the luxury rest camp was opened.

With a low average annual rainfall of 200 mm, the plants and animals have to survive in the scorched landscape where temperatures often rise to 40° C in summer but drop to below 0° C in winter. Snow is often visible on the peaks of the Nuweveld Mountains when a cold front moves in from the Cape and the summer thunderstorms are a force to be reckoned with.

Geologists are particularly fascinated by the rock formations, mountains, subterranean rocks and plateaus found in the Karoo Park. Erosion made changes to the landscape over millions of years and the remnants of layered rock are clearly visible in some places like the Klipspringer Pass.

Two vegetation biomes are found in the Karoo Park, namely the Nama-Karoo and a small section of Grassland. Thirty percent of the recognised endemic plant species of the Nama-Karoo are found and conserved here where the Karoo “bossies” award the area its original character.

A variety of facilities are available at the Karoo Rest Camp, including a restaurant, shop and swimming pool. The park is located 12km from the town of Beaufort West where medical services, vehicle and tyre repair services and banks are available.

Amenities List

• Fully licensed a la carte restaurant
• Shop with basic commodities and curios
• Laundry with washing machine and tumble drier
• Swimming pool for overnight guests
• Conference venue
• Grantham Environmental Education Centre
  • Accommodation for up to 50 persons
  • Lecture room with audio-visual aids for presentations
  • Equipped kitchen
  • Lapa for barbecues
• Picnic Sites
  • Bulkraal
  • Doornhoek
• Bird hide
• Old Schuur Interpretive Centre
  • Wooden boardwalk with historical displays and information
• Beaufort West town is 12 km away from the Karoo National Park
  • Filling stations and vehicle repair services
  • Banks and ATMs
  • Restaurants
  • Medical services

Attracting guests from all over the world who are interested in the geology, vegetation and wildlife, there is a lot to see and do while staying at the Karoo National Park. A variety of 4x4-trails is available while birdwatching can be enjoyed from the hide in the camp or while doing self-drive excursions or hikes. Day visitors are welcome and picnic sites are available.

Activities List

• 4x4 Excursions
• Birdwatching
• Bird hide
• Guided Game Drives
• Hikes, walks and trails
• Mountain biking and trail running
• Grantham Environmental Education Centre
• Picnic Sites
• Bird hide
• Old School Interpretive Centre

List of Activities close to Karoo National Park

• Golf course
• Bowling Green
• Chris Barnard Museum
• Shopping

• Swimming pool oasis at picnic site
• Old Schuur Interpretive Centre
• Picturesque Klipspringer Pass
• Scenic viewpoint at Rooivalle
• Verreaux’s Eagle

• Day visitors are welcome.Visitors must remain in their vehicles unless in a designated area.
• Vehicles must remain on designated tourist routes at all times.
• The speed limit in the park is 40 km/h
• Driving off indicated routes and outside camping sites is a serious offence. It is harmful to the park and dangerous to the visitor.
• Driving around before sunrise or after sunset is not permitted. Guided game drives are offered for those who want to explore the nocturnal Karoo.
• Picking of plants, removal of seeds, rocks, crystals or driftwood is an offence. Please help us to preserve the park’s wilderness atmosphere.
  

• As outdoor lighting in camps is limited, a torch/headlamp is required when walking outside at night.
• No quad bikes or motorbikes are allowed inside the park.
• Bring a hat, walking shoes, sun block, binoculars and cameras.
• Plastic refuse bags are essential as all rubbish must be removed on departure.
• Firewood and kindling may not be collected in the park.
• Guests participating in walks must carry a good supply of water.
• Do not sleep on the bare ground as the park is an ideal scorpion habitat.
• Pack cool clothing for summer and warm clothing for winter. Sudden changes in weather can occur.
• Hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, filling stations, vehicle repairs, car hire and police services are available in Beaufort West, 12 km from the rest camp.
• Be aware of the presence of Cape Cobra and puff adders when walking in the rest camp. Scorpions are also common.
• Early morning and late afternoon drives are best to spot elusive lions.
• Look out for breeding pairs of Verreaux Eagles.
• Aloes bloom in wintertime.
• Snowfall on Nuweveld Mountain Range can occur during winter months.

Travelling from:

• Cape Town: 464 km
• Upington: 629 km
• Johannesburg: 946 km
• Durban: 1,152 km
• Gqeberha: 408 km
• Beaufort West: 12 km

The gate hours differ from summer to winter from between 5:30 to 6:00 in the morning and 17:30 to 18:30 in the afternoons.