Tankwa Karoo National Park

The Tankwa Karoo National Park is a scientific national park that protects the Tankwa Karoo, one of the driest but most starkly beautiful areas of South Africa which straddles the boundary of the Western and Northern Capes. The Tankwa receives only 100mm of rain in an average year, and the western section of the park (drier than the rest) can be called true desert.

Life here is pretty extreme - the average temperature in the park is 38.9°C in the heights of summer and 5.7°C in the depths of winter. The best time to visit (especially for birding, which is probably the highlight of this distinctly non-mainstream park) is spring. Besides its prolific birdlife, the park is notable for its dramatic landscapes, wide silences, the eccentricities of its plant life.

Birding is best done after making private arrangements with the Park Manager. He'll give you a "not to scale" map and explain the road and the highlights of the area - otherwise you'll need a guide who knows the park, and these are few and far between.

Enquire now |  Add to my enquiry