Karoo National Park – Overview

Extending west from the small town of Beaufort West, Karoo National Park protects a scenic wilderness area of rocky plains, valleys and mountains. It lies in the semi-arid Great Karoo, South Africa’s largest single ecosystem. The immense ungulate herds that once migrated through are no longer, but the park still supports some unusual dry-country wildlife and a rich succulent flora.

Best Time To Go

August to September and April to May (Mild weather)

High Season

Never (The park never gets crowded)

Size More info

768km² / 297mi²

Altitude More info

783-1,821m / 2,569-5,974ft

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Pros & Cons

• Dramatic, rugged semidesert landscape
• Excellent bird-watching with many Karoo specials
• Rich reptilian fauna includes five tortoise species
• Scenic drives for all cars, dedicated tracks for 4x4 vehicles, and a short self-guided Fossil Trail
• Convenient overnight stop between Cape Town and Johannesburg
• Attractive self-catering rest camp with restaurant
• Malaria-free
• Not many typical safari animals present
• Far from South Africa’s main tourist attractions
• Hot and harsh conditions in summer

Wildlife

Although it is not primarily a safari destination, Karoo NP supports a variety of wildlife. The Big Five are represented only by reintroduced lion and black rhino, which are seldom seen. Large herbivores include red hartebeest, black wildebeest, eland, Cape mountain zebra, kudu and springbok. Klipspringers are regularly seen on the pass of the same name. The park supports a rich variety of localized dry-country birds and reptiles.

Scenery

Karoo NP is dominated by the Nuweveld Mountains, whose rocky summits rise dramatically above the rocky plains below. The scenery looks harsh in the midday sun but, towards late afternoon, the subtleties of the landscape reveal themselves when the shadows add detail and the pastel colors soften the empty environment.

Activities

The main activity is scenic drives. The road circuit is suited to all cars and leads through rugged mountains and valleys where you’ll see a fair variety of wildlife. There are also rougher trails suited only to high-clearance 4x4 vehicles. Hiking is forbidden due to the presence of lions and black rhinos, but there is a short self-guided Fossil Trail that explores the rich geology and paleontology of the Karoo.

Weather & Climate

Karoo NP lies in a semi-desert that receives an annual average rainfall of 225mm/9in and experiences wide daily temperature swings. The dry winter (May to September) often brings bitterly cold nights and drought conditions. What little rain the park receives usually falls in summer (October to April) in the form of occasional showers and storms. Summer is characterized by hot days: the average daytime maximum temperature is 27°C/81°F, but peaks of above 40°C/104°F are sometimes recorded.

Best Time To Visit

From a wildlife-viewing perspective, Karoo NP is not strongly seasonal, so it won’t make much difference when you visit. The summer months (October to April) are hot during the day but lovely in the early morning or late afternoon. Winter (May to September) might be a more attractive option, assuming you don’t mind warding off the cold when the sun goes down. The cusp months of April, May, August and September offer a good compromise between seasonal extremes.

Want To Visit Karoo?

• Tour Operators for Karoo