What to do in Tankwa National Park?

7 things to do in the Tankwa Karoo

Drive the Gannaga Pass. Take a drive (or hike or cycle) up the Gannaga Pass to the top of the Roggeveld Escarpment.
Visit Middelpos.
Hike up Elandsberg viewpoint.
Game viewing at Tankwa National Park.
Go plant-spotting.
Do some bird watching.
Star gazing.

Where is the Tankwa?

The vegetation in the park falls within the Succulent Karoo biome and has been described as very sparse shrubland and dwarf shrubland….

Tankwa Karoo National Park
Location of the park
Location	Northern Cape, South Africa
Nearest city	Ceres
Coordinates	32°15′S 19°45′ECoordinates: 32°15′S 19°45′E

Which province is Tankwa Karoo National Park?

Northern Cape Province
The vast expanse of the semi-arid Tankwa Karoo National Park is located in the Northern Cape Province. A typical Karoo environment, the harsh arid landscape is both disarming and enticing.

Is Tankwa Karoo in the Western Cape?

The Tankwa Karoo National Park is located in the western Karoo just 250 kilometres (155 miles) drive from Cape Town in the Northern Cape. Offering vast open space, peace and tranquillity, Tankwa Karoo National Park is the ideal destination for those looking for solitude and stillness.

What is the best time to visit Karoo National Park?

With Karoo NP’s arid to semi-arid climate, wildlife viewing isn’t much influenced by the seasons. Summer and winter have extreme temperatures, so the best time to visit is in spring (August, September) and autumn (April, May) when the days are not too hot, and the nights are mild.

What animals are in the Karoo National Park?

Wildlife. The Karoo National Park is a sanctuary for herds of springbok, gemsbok (or Oryx), Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest, black rhinoceros, eland, kudu, klipspringer, bat-eared foxes, black-backed jackal, ostriches, and, since fairly recently, lions.

Is the R355 tarred?

At the 1,8 km point, the road straightens out and becomes tar. It’s fairly obvious that this smal portion of the R355 was tarred to protect the fruit from dust.

What is the meaning of Tankwa?

The true meaning of the word “Tankwa” is unknown, but it is said to be “Turbid water”, “Place of the San” or “Thirst land”, all of which fits this arid yet picturesque park so well.

How cold does it get in the Karoo?

Although the annual average minimum and maximum temperatures are 9°C/48°F and 24°C/75°F respectively, the climate is one of extremes, and temperatures range from –15°C/-27°F on the plateau in winter to over 40°C/104°F on the plains in summer.

How many lions are in Karoo National Park?

14 lions
There are 3 500 wild lions, and in 59 state and private small reserves, there are 700. The Karoo National Park has 14 lions left, consisting of three to four groups, with two active satellite collars and VHF monitored collars.

Are there leopards in the Karoo National Park?

The Karoo National Park near Beaufort West had a surprise visitor earlier this year. Leopards have been recorded near Graaff-Reinet on Samara Private Game Reserve and are also found in the Anysberg Nature Reserve and the Tankwa Karoo National Park. …

Is the R27 a tar road?

You will have to negotiate the Bloukrans Pass just before you reach the end of this extremely long gravel road. Shortly after this, you will join the tar road (R27) before arriving at Calvinia.

Where can I get a map of Tankwa Karoo?

Maps are served from a large number of servers spread all over the world. Globally distributed map delivery network ensures low latency and fast loading times, no matter where on Earth you happen to be. Embed the above road detailed map of Tankwa Karoo National Park into your website.

When did Tankwa Karoo National Park become a National Park?

The 80 000 hectare Tankwa Karoo National Park was proclaimed in 1986. After the occasional shower, the park erupts into a dazzling display of flowering succulents. With an average rainfall of 80mm a year, even a scant shower is reason for celebration.

Where is the reception office in tankwa National Park?

Drive along the R355, also called the Ceres Karoo road, for 66km when you have to turn right (east) at the Tankwa National Park / Middelpos signs. Drive another 69km along this dirt road to reach the Reception Office. These gravel roads are known to cause tyre failures.

How many beds does Varschfontein cottage in Tankwa Karoo have?

Varschfontein Cottage has three bedrooms and six beds, a bathroom, open plan kitchen and dining room, a reservoir to swim in, a two plate gas stove, a solar fridge, paraffin lamps, a boiler, and an indoor fire place. Guests need to book at least two nights stay as the cottage is in a remote area of the park.

What to do in Tankwa National Park? 7 things to do in the Tankwa Karoo Drive the Gannaga Pass. Take a drive (or hike or cycle) up the Gannaga Pass to the top of the Roggeveld Escarpment. Visit Middelpos. Hike up Elandsberg viewpoint. Game viewing at Tankwa National Park. Go plant-spotting. Do some bird watching.…