Camdeboo National Park covers an area of 19,405 hectares and almost completely surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinet. There are plenty of animals including springboks, buffaloes, Cape mountain zebras and kudus, plus over 200 bird species, but the real draws are the spectacular geological formations and great views overlooking Graaff-Reinet and the plains.
You’ll need your own vehicle to get around the reserve; otherwise contact Karoo Connections for a tour. You can camp in the park near Nqweba Dam at Lakeview Tented Camp and Nqweba Campsite .
The park is subdivided into three main sections: the wildlife-viewing area to the north of the Nqweba dam, the western section with the Valley of Desolation and the eastern section with various hiking trails. There are plans afoot to combine Camdeboo with Mountain Zebra National Park at some point.
In the wildlife-viewing area there are buffaloes, elands, kudus, hartebeests, wildebeests, springboks, rare Cape mountain zebras and a host of smaller mammals. Bird species include black eagles, blue cranes and kori bustards. Visitors must stay in their vehicles.
The Valley of Desolation is the park’s most popular sight. It’s a hauntingly beautiful valley with an outstanding view – the rugged, piled dolerite columns here are set against the backdrop of the endless Karoo plains. Graaff-Reinet is also visible, nestled in a bend of the Sundays River. The valley can be reached by car on a steep but sealed road, and there’s a 1.5km circuit walk. It’s the sort of place that makes you wish you were an eagle and in fact you can paraglide from here. The best times to come are at sunrise or sunset.
The Eerstefontein Day Trail is also in the western section and has three trail options: 5km, 11km and 14km long. The information office has a map. The Drie Koppie Trail overnight trail costs R40 per person for the use of the hut.
