Camdeboo National Park is not primarily a safari destination. This scenic park on the outskirts of Graaff-Reinet (renamed Robert Sobukwe Town in 2026) is renowned for the Valley of Desolation, a spectacular landscape of 120m-/394ft-high pillars and cliffs. A small sector of Camdeboo centered on Nqweba Dam is stocked with wildlife and is explorable along a short road circuit.
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Best Time To Go
- October to March (It is warmer)
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High Season
- October to March (The park gets crowded)
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Size
- 194km² / 75mi²
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Altitude
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751-1,447m /2,464-4,747ft
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Pros & Cons
- Spectacular scenery
- Easy day trip from the historical town of Graaff-Reinet
- Hiking and walking trails
- Malaria-free
- Plenty of accommodations in Graaff-Reinet
- Excellent for dry-country birds
- Very small wildlife-viewing circuit
- The only member of the present is buffalo
- The Valley of Desolation gets busy at sunset
Wildlife
The wildlife-viewing sector is a small tract of scrubby with one circular road circuit. Large mammals include the , and , as well as and . Of the , only buffalo is present. There are no , but small carnivores include , and . Camdeboo is good for dry-country birds, and Nqweba Dam occasionally hosts flocks.
Scenery
Located in the foothills of the Sneeuberg mountains, Camdeboo is all about the scenery. The park’s best-known highlight is the Valley of Desolation, whose towering rock formations give spectacular insight into how the landscape formed hundreds of millions of years ago. Parts of the park also offer amazing views over Graaff-Reinet.
Activities
A short drive leads to the Valley of Desolation, where you can enjoy panoramic views, walk the short Crag Lizard Trail and look for , and other wildlife. The Eerstefontein Trail has variants from 5km/3mi to 14km/9mi. is permitted in the wildlife-viewing area. Graaff-Reinet, founded in 1786, and the birthplace of the leader Robert Sobukwe, is rich in historical sightseeing.
Weather & Climate
Camdeboo lies in a region with an average rainfall of less than 350mm/14in per year. Winter (May to September) sees cool daytime temperatures and cold evenings. In June and July, the average morning temperature is a very chilly 4°C/39°F, and it can snow on the higher peaks of the Sneeuberg (which means Snow Mountain). It’s pleasantly warmer in summer (October to April), with the wettest months being February and March.
Best Time To Visit Camdeboo NP
The Dry season (May to September) is generally the best time for safaris in South Africa, due to the ease of spotting animals in the thinned-out . At Camdeboo, however, where wildlife diversity and rainfall are both low, it is preferable to visit in the wetter summer months (October to April). It is warm at this time of year, wildflowers will be blooming, and baby animals will be tottering about.
How To Get to Camdeboo NP
Camdeboo is easily visited from Graaff-Reinet, which it practically encircles. It lies 265km/165mi (3 hours’ drive*) north of Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), whose Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) is connected by regular flights to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Some people drive from Cape Town to Graaff-Reinet via the Garden Route over a week or two.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Health & Safety
In our opinion, Camdeboo National Park is safe to visit, and the absence of major predators means walking trails can be enjoyed. For more information, please read our vaccinations and malaria page for South Africa, and our general wildlife viewing safety precautions page: