The best of SANParks in the Nothern Cape
Watch dassies and see how close you can get to klipspringers.
See the colourful wild flowers of Namaqualand.
People may be thin on the ground in the Northern Cape, but the province has no fewer than six national parks. Flippie Jacobs from Johannesburg loves this region and rates highly the service SANParks delivers. That’s why, he says, five of the SANParks destinations in this province are his Big Five.
Augrabies Falls National Park
Listen how the mighty Orange River roars as it cascades 56 m into a gorge to form the Augrabies Falls. Walk to Moon Rock, Swart Rante, Oranjekom and Ararat. Listen to the echoes of your voice at Echo Corner and the call of the fish eagle. Watch dassies and see how close you can get to klipspringers.
Contact: 054 452 9200; augrabies@sanparks.org
Namaqua National Park
See the colourful wildflowers of Namaqualand in full bloom in spring. Stay in a chalet in the Skilpad Rest Camp, go for a walk in the veld, experience the uninterrupted space and feel peace descend.
Contact: 027 672 1948; elanzavl@sanparks.org
Mokala National Park
Go for an early-morning drive through the dolerite koppies and witness the dawn of a winter morning in Mokala. Look for rare mammal species such as black rhino, black wildebeest, tsessebe and roan antelope.
Stay at one of the classy lodges Mosu, Mofele or Lilydale. Otherwise, take your binoculars and an astronomy guide along, stay in the only cottage in the Haak-en-Steek Camp and spend a night exploring the sky.
Contact: 053 204 0158; heing@sanparks.org
Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park
See how the halfmens and quiver tree stand guard over the sparse landscape of the Richtersveld. Overnight at a rest camp like Potjiespram or Sendelingsdrif, or a wilderness camp like Tatasberg or Ganakouriep. Experience the dry 50+ °C summer and admire the way the Malmokkies (the early-morning fog rolling in from the Atlantic Ocean) provides moisture for thirsty creatures.
Contact: 027 831 1506; richtersveld@sanparks.org
Kgalagadi National Park
Stay over at the Kieliekrankie, Urikaruus, Bitterpan or Gharagab Camp. Walk barefoot in the camp and feel the Kgalagadi’s hot sand under your soles. See if you can identify a tsamma on the red sand dunes. Follow a dry river bed and see how the camel thorn trees provide food and shade to various animals.
Contact: 054 561 2000; kgalagadi@sanparks.org
Back to destinations | Back to top
Comments