Karoo National Park Nature Reserves

Overshadowed by the soaring peaks of the Nuweveld Mountains, the stark landscape of the Karoo National Park is once again home to endangered black rhino, buffalo, Cape mountain zebra and riverine rabbit. Large herds of springbok, 20 pairs of breeding black eagles, five tortoise species, small reptiles and a wide variety of endemic wildlife and succulent plants find sanctuary within the park. The stark beauty of the Great Karoo seems vast and unforgiving but sustains a fascinating diversity of life, all exclusively adapted to survive here. Towards evening the harsh sunlight slowly softens and washes the landscape with pastel colours, eventually deepening and setting the Karoo ablaze with magnificent sunset hues. Itchy feet? Walk the unique 400-metre Karoo Fossil Braille Trail. Specifically adapted for vision-handicapped visitors, you will discover funky fossils of mammal-like reptiles and interesting geology of the Great Karoo. Stroll the 800-metre Bossie Trail and check out the showcase of Karoo succulents including aloes, crassula, spiny klapperbossie and boegoekaroo. More energetic folk can lace up their boots for the 11-kilometre Fonteintjieskloof Trail.