At a four-hour drive from Cape Town, the park lies within the Succulent Karoo Biome, which is one of the most arid regions of the Karoo. The crisp and clean air, without any man made lighting around for hundreds of kilometres, makes this the ideal destination for stargazing and finding yourself in the peace and tranquillity of absolute silence. Stretching over 116 000 km2 along the Atlantic coast from south-western South Africa into southern Namibia, this region is one of the 25 richest and most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life.

Before the proclamation of the Tankwa Karoo National Park, the only area where the Succulent Karoo Biome was protected, was in a small, 2 km2 patch in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve. In combination with the Cape Floral Kingdom, the Succulent Karoo has been declared a biodiversity hotspot, offering a safe habitat to a wide variety of endemic plants. Looking at the moon-like desert landscapes and rugged cliffs, this is probably hard to believe but visit the park in the springtime during August to October and the spectacular colours and endless variety of rare flowers will amaze you.

Humans lived in the region for more than 10 000 years and overgrazing of their livestock caused a lot of damage to the veld. The park was proclaimed in 1986 and named after the Tankwa River that runs through the park as the main provider of water. With more land being added to the park, it currently covers nearly 146 373 hectares.

Because the moisture-bearing clouds from the Atlantic Ocean are blocked by the Cederberg Mountains, this desert landscape receives less than 100 mm of average rainfall per year. Maximum temperatures in January often reach 38.9° C and during the winter months temperatures range between 5 to 7 degrees Celsius.

The following vegetation types are conserved in the Tankwa Karoo National Park:

• Central Tankwa Grassy Plain
• Roggeveld Shale Renosterveld
• Tanqua Escarpment
• Succulent Karoo
• Roggeveld Karoo
• Tanqua Wash Rivers
• Nieuwoudtville Roggeveld Dolerite Renosterveld
  

A variety of antelope had been relocated into the Tankwa Karoo National Park, including Cape Mountain Zebra, Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest and Springbok. Restoring large mammals is a key driver in maintaining biological diversity and research continues through aerial game census, showing a marked increase to the numbers.

The park is still in a developmental and land consolidation phase and therefore offers limited facilities, signage and other amenities to visitors. The seclusion, tranquillity and silence experienced in the Tankwa Karoo National Park are the most important features, drawing visitors who need a time away from modern technology and facilities, as these come with their own sets of worries. Appreciating the spectacular landscapes and colourful display of flowers during springtime does not require amenities, which means the focus is here more on what is NOT available in the park.

There is no fuel station in the Tankwa Karoo National Park. The nearest fuel supplies are located in Calvinia, which is about 90 km from the park. Please ensure that you refill before driving all the way. There are no restaurants, ATMs or shops, so guests must ensure that they bring sufficient supplies, including drinking water. There is little to no cell phone reception in the park.

Facilities

• Roodewerf Office and Reception
• Oudebaaskraal Airstrip
• Oudebaaskraal Dam

The park attracts visitors in need of time to be cut off from communication and modern facilities, but with an enthusiasm for the rugged nature of the desert and the breath-taking beauty of spectacular flower displays. Self-sufficient campers have the opportunity to enjoy “wild” camping by staying in the informal campsites where no facilities are available. While game watching is high on the list of things to do, enjoying the magnificence of the biodiversity hotspot for Succulent Karoo Plants. Due to the clean, crisp and clear air, stargazing is an incredible experience.

Activities

• Stargazing
• Discover unique and rare plants in one of only 35 biodiversity hotspots on earth
• Birdwatching
• Flower season
• 4x4 Trails
  • Leeuberg
  • Watervlei
• Game watching
• Mountain biking and walking
  • No formal hiking or bicycling trails but visitors may make use of marked roads within the immediate vicinity of their booked accommodation facility.
• Visit scenic viewpoints - visitors may exit vehicles at these points
  • Gannaga Pass
  • Elandsberg
  • Drive Gannaga Pass - 6 km pass

• Rugged, volcanic mountains and fascinating geological landscapes
• Magnificent floral splendour in springtime
• 188 recorded different species of birds
• Endemic species of birds

• It is recommended to travel in the park with a vehicle with high ground clearance and good tyres.
• All roads in the park are gravel roads.
• There is no fuel available in the park. Fill up at one of the nearby towns and, if possible, bring along a jerry-can with more fuel.
• There are no shops, restaurants, ATMs or public phones in the park.
• Insect repellent is strongly recommended. Cotton sheets will keep insects at bay.
• Scarves protect against dust and wet towels from extreme heat. Plan clothing for extreme temperatures.
• Ask for a plant and animal species list at Reception.
• Binoculars and cameras are a must.
• As outdoor lighting in camps is limited, a torch/headlamp is required when walking outside at night.
• Plastic refuse bags are essential as all rubbish must be removed on departure. Please don’t litter.
• Always wear a hat and sunblock as protection against the harsh sun.
• Firewood and kindling may not be collected in the park.
• Make sure that you always have a good supply of water.
• Do not sleep on the bare ground as the park is an ideal spider and scorpion habitat.
• A 4×4 is required for some areas in the park.
• Don’t feed, injure or disturb any animal.
• Don’t stay overnight at any other place than those designated as camping or overnight facilities.
• Don’t light any fires at places not designated as camping, picnic or overnight facilities. The access roads to Tankwa Karoo National Park are often in poor condition and there is no mobile phone reception. Bring along an extra spare wheel, tools, spares, enough food, and extra water containers as these are essential.
• Driving off indicated routes and outside camping sites is a serious offence. It is harmful to the park and dangerous to visitors.
• No pets, generators or outboard motors permitted.
• No firearms are permitted.
• Motorbikes are allowed inside the park.
• Picking of plants, removal of seeds, rocks, crystals or driftwood is an offence. Please help us to preserve the park’s wilderness atmosphere.

• Road gravel is sharp and often loose and is especially dangerous around corners and at intersections.
• Slow down when you see approaching vehicles.
• Do not allow wheels to lock when applying brakes.
• Never exceed 80 km/h. Take note of the Park’s speed limits.
• Be aware of slippery conditions during wet weather.
• Be aware of flash floods crossing roads as well as road surfaces possibly washed away.
• If you need to overtake, avoid loose gravel at the side of the road.
• Take along enough drinking water, especially during hot conditions.
• Check the pressure of the spare wheel and ensure tyres are at the correct pressure.
• Drastically reduce speed when transferring from tar to gravel and when approaching a motor grid.
• Drive in the existing tracks on the road.
• Keep to the left when approaching a blind hill.
• Put your lights on in the dust of passing traffic.

• Calvinia: 110 km
• Sutherland: 120 km
• Matjiesfontein: 160 km
• Ceres: 180 km
• Cape Town: 316 km
• Upington: 505 km
• Gqeberha: 710 km
• Bloemfontein: 826 km
• Johannesburg: 1,189 km
• Durban: 1,456 km

There are no formal entrance gates to the park, but travelling in the park is not permitted during the following times:

• 1 October to 31 March: 19:00 to 05:30
• 1 April to 30 September: 18:00 to 06:30