Tankwa Karoo National Park, established in 1998, is a very arid national park located in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Nestled amongst the desert landscapes of the Great Karoo, it lies approximately 250 km northeast of Cape Town offering a unique and extraordinary experience.
Landscape and Climate
Recently expanded to a sizable 1100 square kilometres, the landscapes are largely flat and arid, with domed hills. The park is bounded on the east by the Roggeveld Mountains, on the west by the Cederberg, to the north by the Kouebokkeveld Mountains and on the south by the scattered foothills of the Koedoesberge and Klein Roggeveld Mountains, and the Tankwa River.
Some areas receive less than 100 mm of average annual precipitation, moisture-bearing clouds from the Atlantic Ocean being largely stopped by the Cederberg mountains. Other low areas receive little more, as the Roodewerf station (co-ordinates: 32°14′27.9″S 20°05′44.5″E) with 180 mm of mean annual rainfall. In the hottest areas of the park, the mean maximum temperature in January is 38.9 °C, and in July the mean minimum temperature ranges from about 5 to 7 °C.
Flora and Fauna
This is a harsh country where lizards and tortoises prevail and where meerkats, mongooses, klipspringers and a good range of specialist birds eke out a harsh living. But this is also a succulent country and the main event comes with the arrival of the Jul-Sep spring rains, when the country can burst into a spectacular carpet of wildflowers.
The vegetation in the park falls within the Succulent Karoo biome and has been described as very sparse shrubland and dwarf shrubland. Several unique succulent genera occur here, such as Tanquana, Braunsia and Didymaotus. The park is home to a large variety of birds (188 species - 2015 figure), such as the black-headed canary, Ludwig's bustard, and the black-eared sparrow-lark.
Read also: Art and Culture in Barrydale
The main event comes with the arrival of the Jul-Sep spring rains, when the country can burst into a spectacular carpet of flowers.
Conservation and Reintroduction Efforts
Since 2010 the park has been reintroducing larger mammals into the reserve, attempting to restore the balance that would have been here before sheep farming took hold. Research was done beforehand to ensure that introduced animals would survive on the overgrazed veld. However, animal densities will always remain low in this harsh environment, where it is critical to prevent damage to the hardy fauna through overgrazing.
Before the park's proclamation, the only protected area of Succulent Karoo was the 2 square kilometre patch of the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve.
Activities
Starting in Calvinia, the walk takes you into the awe-inspiring Tankwa valley/desert, where you will walk through one of the most extraordinary landscapes in Africa. With those wide open spaces, it is a landscape that makes you realise just how small you really are.
It is a 256.6km (10 day) walk from Calvinia to Ceres. You need to come well prepared with durable camping equipment, breakfast, lunch and enough drinks for the 10 day journey. You will carry a daypack filled with your essentials and water for the day. The rest of your food and camping gear is packed into one box, and transported by truck each morning to the next camp. You will be responsible for setting up your own tent, but not cooking dinner - that may be asking too much after a long day of walking.
Read also: Exploring Chad's Fauna
Tankwa Karoo National Park; one of South Africa's most underrated destinations
Accommodation
Although we only have one accommodation option listed, the modest Gannaga Lodge, we are aware of some interesting and upmarket self-catering options should be fancy staying for three or more nights.
Additional Information
The park's headquarters are located at Roodewerf. In 1998 Conrad Strauss sold 280 km2 of sheep farm to the South African National Parks.
Key Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Western Cape, South Africa |
| Establishment | 1998 |
| Size | 1100 square kilometers |
| Rainfall | Less than 100 mm in some areas |
| Bird Species | 188 (2015 figure) |
Read also: History of Cameroon Soccer
Popular articles:
tags: #Africa
