Karoo National Park — Attraction in Beaufort West Local Municipality

My husband & I camped at the Karoo National Park for 2 nights - 3+4th December 2023. It was our first experience there & thoroughly enjoyed it. However, there was a most disturbing aspect to the (listed) swimming pool area which is a short drive outside of the area where we camped with our trailer. It was beautifully appointed & we were surprised that more people weren't enjoying this facility. Getting out of our car & walking down the path towards the fenced area, large black, BITING ants covered our legs and feet at an alarming rate! The attendant said it was & had been "a big, big problem for a long time". We ran the gambit of the army of ants on the paved path....but the surrounding lawns, picnic tables and the paved area around the pool were even worse. No wonder no one else was there. My husband cleared an area around the pool for us by emptying pool water over the paving so we could at least get into the water…it was a very hot day & we'd been on a long drive around the park to maximise our time there & had looked forward to “cooling off”. Needless to say, we didn’t stay long & were hugely disappointed that the SANPARKS personnel at the meet & greet check-in desk hadn’t mentioned it when my husband checked that the pool was open. As we were leaving the car park another car was pulling in and we advised them of the problem.. They were staying in the chalets and had driven to this pool area because the swimming pool at the chalet section also has the same problem!! If there is a problem of this magnitude I would say at the very least remove it from your SANPARKS advertising and brochures until you find a customer service solution. Overall the rest of our stay was thoroughly enjoyed, camping site, ablutions & amenities were well...

The Karoo National Park is a fascinating destination located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, near Beaufort West. Covering an area of approximately 766 square kilometers, it offers a unique blend of vast open plains, rugged mountains, and deep valleys.

Key Highlights: Wildlife: The park is home to a diverse range of animals, including springbok, gemsbok, black wildebeest, Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest, black rhinoceros, eland, kudu, and lions. It also boasts the highest number of tortoise species in any park worldwide. Birdlife: Bird enthusiasts can enjoy spotting Verreaux's eagles, martial eagles, booted eagles, and the Cape eagle-owl, among many other species. Activities: Visitors can engage in various activities such as guided and unguided walks, mountain biking, 4x4 trails, and guided game drives. The park also features breathtaking landscapes and an array of plant and animal life. Facilities: The park offers a range of accommodations, including campsites, chalets, and family cottages. There are also picnic sites, a restaurant, and a shop for basic necessities and curios.

Conservation Efforts: The park is involved in significant conservation efforts, including the resettlement of the endangered riverine rabbit and the reintroduction of lions. It also participates in projects like creating vulture safe zones.

Visitor Experience: Karoo National Park has evolved from being a convenient stopover to a destination that entices guests to stay longer and explore its many offerings. Whether you're interested in wildlife, birding, or simply enjoying the stunning landscapes, the park provides a rich and...

Love this park! In the heart of the Karoo, it's vast open landscape is good for the soul and makes you feel like you can breathe deeper. Hearing the sounds of jackal and lions in the distance as you fall asleep... Stayed here a few years ago and was impressed then, and just as impressed now. Don't expect to see the big 5, but had great sightings of Mountain Zebra, Gemsbok, Hartebeest, and Springbok all with beautiful purple flowers as a backdrop.

Everything with the park has an appearance of being very well maintained, which is sadly not always the case with all SAN Parks reserves. The roads are great, everything is polished and well kept (even the fire hydrant is shining!)

There is such a great fossil trail that is extremely interesting and an information centre that you could spend the whole morning in about the history of the Karoo.

What I really like is that the shop has local produce, made locally and that is unique to the Karoo. I love this! It has been something that has upset me for years that SANPARKS shops do not stock locally produced merchandise that is authentically South African, contributing to the heritage of what the parks are all about and made by locals thereby creating employment. Instead most park shops are filled with the same commercial junk made in China that you could buy anywhere. Why? When we have so much talent and beautifully authentic things that we can offer tourists to take home with them all while creating job opportunities.

If you on a trip to Cape Town, this is the perfect place to stop and explore, I can't wait to come...