CAMDEBOO NATIONAL PARK

Camdeboo National Park in Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Camdeboo National Park's accommodation is situated on the floodplains of the Nqweba Dam and accessed via the Lakeview Gate on the N9 towards Middleburg. This area is part of the Park's game viewing area which is home to buffalo, antelope such as gemsbok, eland, red hartebeest and springbok, smaller mammals such as the black-backed jackal and many bird species.

Lakeview Tented Camp

Four rustic furnished tents provide a relaxed nature experience. Each tent sleeps two people and has a braai unit, fridge, table and two chairs. Bedding and towels are provided. There is a communal kitchen equipped with stove plates, cooking and eating utensils and microwave. Tents are booked as individual units but there is also a communal braai area for group use. Communal showers and toilets are provided.

Nqweba Camp Sites

Fifteen caravan or tent sites are situated beneath thorn trees on a gravel substrate. Each site has a braai unit and power point. A communal kitchen provides deep freeze, stove top and microwave facilities while the communal ablutions have showers, toilets and a universally accessible unit.

Winterhoek Farm Cottage

Activities

Valley of Desolation

No visit to this National Park is complete without a trip to the Valley of Desolation. It is a geological phenomenon and forms part of South Africa’s most spectacular sights. Columns of Dolerite rise 120 metres up from the valley floor, providing sensational views over the Camdeboo plains.

Game Viewing and Birding

Presently, approximately 19km of gravel roadways provide visitors with the opportunity to view the entire range of indigenous species in their preferred habitats. For birding enthusiasts, nearly 250 bird species have been recorded in the Park.

Trails and Walks

The Crag Lizard Trail (45 minutes) starts at the Valley parking area and extends for about 1.5km via the Valley viewpoints. It is marked with the Crag Lizard logo.

The Eerstefontein Day Walk starts and ends at the Spandaukop gate. There are three route options of 5km, 11km and 14km with good rest spots at Eerstefontein and Agtersfontein.

The Gideon Scheepers Trail is an hour long walk, starting at the Gideon Scheepers Monument, which commemorates the historic figure, and ending at Barbergat on the R63 to Murraysburg.

There is no charge for hiking trails in the Park, apart from conservation fees.

4x4 Trails

Koedoeskloof 4x4 trail (grade 3 to 4) : This trail provides a drive to the top of the mountain, providing unique and spectacular views of the landscape. The trail can be completed with a return journey following the same track in about three hours but the Karoo tranquility and scenic vistas beg for a full day outing. No booking is necessary for those who wish to complete the trail and no fee is payable, apart from the Park conservation fee. Visitors can only attempt the trail in a 4x4 vehicle (no 2x4's with diff lock).

Driekoppe 4x4 Trail : This is a scenic grade 2 trail. Wildlife that may be seen in this section of the Park includes Cape mountain zebra, kudu, mountain reedbuck, klipspringer and baboons. You can follow the track past the water supply pump, to the top of Hanglip with its panoramic view of the Camdeboo plains or follow the stream bed down Wolfkloof to the waterfall. You can also walk a circular route by following the left hand turn off. Both 2x4's and 4x4's can make use of the trail.

Watersports

The Nqweba Dam, which covers over 1 000 hectares, provides cool relief during hot summer days and a base for a variety of water activities. Boating, canoeing, fishing and windsurfing are allowed on the dam (permit fees apply).

The Nqweba Dam attracts a wide variety of birds as well as wildlife such as buffalo, gemsbok, springbok and black wildebeest which come to drink from the waters. 

Facilities

Picnic Areas

Camdeboo National Park has six picnic areas with braai and ablution facilities:

• Impunzi picnic area in the game viewing Area has four sites.
• Ribbokberg picnic area on the way to the Valley of Desolation has four sites.
• Mountain Drive picnic area has seven widely-spaced sites in the Mountain Drive area.
• Babergat picnic area has two sites adjacent to the Nqweba Dam wall.
• Piekniekbos picnic area has 12 sites on the western shore of the Nqweba Dam
• The Boat Club picnic area has four sites (for exclusive use of boat club members).

Camdeboo Environmental Education Centre

The centre and staff offer programmes to any formal group to promote awareness of and sensitivity towards the natural environment. Courses are tailored to meet visitors' needs. A maximum of 40 people can be accommodated and visits may range from one to four days. This centre may also be booked for team building or conference purposes. However, educational groups get first option over private use.

Contact us for more information and bookings

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