Bontebok National Park is a species-specific national park in South Africa. It was established in 1931 to ensure the preservation of the Bontebok. It is the smallest of South Africa's 18 National Parks, covering an area of 27.86 km² The park is part of the Cape Floristic Region, which is a World Heritage Site.
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AI.
Bontebok National Park: A Hidden Gem With a Bit of a Bump
Our stay at Bontebok National Park was a lovely blend of comfort, nature, and little adventures—though not without a hiccup or two. We stayed in one of the chalets, and it truly had everything we needed: DStv for winding down in the evenings, air conditioning (a must on those warm days), extra blankets for chilly nights, a super comfy couch, and a full outdoor setup complete with seating, a table, and a braai area—perfect for enjoying the fresh air with a view.
One big disappointment, however, was the unexpected sewage spill, which meant swimming in the river was off the cards. This was a real letdown, especially since the water looked so inviting and it was scorching hot! It would’ve been nice to be informed ahead of time, as the river is definitely one of the park’s highlights.
That said, the park itself is stunning. There are loads of little walking trails to explore—some are beaconed off and offer beautiful views, but they’re not ideal for younger kids to climb unsupervised as some areas are steep and could be hazardous. Whether you're into camping or prefer a chalet, both options are well-equipped and beautifully maintained. You can book either through SANParks’ official website or LekkeSlaap, which makes planning super easy.
We spotted some wildlife during our stay and took a peaceful stroll through a magical forest path that led us to a quiet fishing spot—it opened up like a private beach with a little cabana on the water. Pure bliss.
All in all, Bontebok National Park is a fantastic getaway for couples or families. It's safe, peaceful, and packed with potential. We’d definitely go back—hopefully next time for the full experience, river...
Read more
The National Park is great. Saw some buck and a lot of Zebra. But the people at the reception don't seem very enthusiastic and did not give us much info. The Google maps took us past the entrance of the Bontebok National Park and proceeded to take us to a non existing gate at the back of the park (additional 20 km of travel). I also tried booking 4 times last week well in advance on the National Park website and on all 4 occasions the banking acceptance via the National Parks Website did not accept my credit card. I eventually got to speak to both a person from my bank saying all is ok wrt to my bank card and the National parks person was not very helpful at all. I sent an email to the National Parks explaining the problem last Thursday and I am still to get an answer. Tourism in this country is a gold mine especially for the foreigners coming here. It's such a pity that there's a don't care attitude to want to help or resolve problems experienced even for us...
Read more
The reception area at the Bontebok National Park (review separately) gives you a small glimpse of what the park has to offer. It is a beautiful building that fits in with its natural surroundings, and along with the reception desk there is also a mini-museum as well as bathrooms. The staff were friendly and very helpful in explaining what the park has to offer, including the Lang Elsie's Kraal Rest Camp and Die Stroom Picnic site which I have also reviewed separately. The only thing lacking for me at the reception area is a curio shop, however the town of Swellendam is very close by so you can get everything you need there. The Bontebok National Park is a hidden gem and although it isn't necessarily one of the national parks where you get a massive amount of wildlife sightings, we did see a lot of different antelope species as well as other animals and birds. If you are a lover of the outdoors, put the park on your...
Read more
