Bontebok National Park
Bontebok National Park | |
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Location | Western Cape, South Africa |
Nearest city | Swellendam |
Coordinates | 34°04′S 20°27′E / 34.067°S 20.450°E |
Area | 27.86 km2 (10.76 sq mi) |
Established | 1931 |
Governing body | South African National Parks |
www | |
Bontebok National Park is a species-specific national park in South Africa. It was established in 1931 to ensure the preservation of the Bontebok. It is the smallest of South Africa's 19 National Parks,[1] covering an area of 27.86 km2[2] The park is part of the Cape Floristic Region, which is a World Heritage Site.[1]
The park is located 6 km south of Swellendam,[3] in the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains.[2] It is bordered to the south by the Breede River.[1]
The bontebok
Bonteboks are rare, unusually marked
However, there are only about 200 bontebok in the park, as this is the maximum number a park of its size can support without inflicting serious damage to plant life. Over the years the park's surplus stock has been translocated to other nature reserves and private owners with suitable habitats.[2]
Other species found in the park
Conservation in the park include the protection of the endangered fynbos veld type and the coastal renosterveld, one of the largest remaining "renosterveld islands", which contains several plant species that are found nowhere else in the world.[1] In total, the park has nearly 500 grasses and other plant species.[3]
Other indigenous species in the park include the
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Bontebok female and young
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Breede River in the park
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Blue Crane
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Breede River with Langeberge in the distance.
Activities in the Park
Bontebok National Park lacks major predators or other large dangerous animals, and thus allows several outdoor activities. These include self-navigated game drives, a large picnic area, fishing, swimming and kayaking on the Breede River, mountain biking (along reserve's gravel roads, or a dedicated 9 km MTB trail) and several marked walking/hiking trails.
Trails
Three hiking trails start near the rest camp (accessible for day visitors from a dedicated parking area, or via a short link path from the overnight camp):
- The Acacia Trail is a circular route of approximately 1.6 km which is mostly flat, circling through acacia veldt
- The Aloe Hill Trail is a circular route of approximately 3.3 km (2.7 km if leaving from the rest camp) which passes the original building of Lang Elsie's Kraal (c. 1734-1800) before climbing a small hill, returning along the river with a few easy rocky scrambles
- The Bushbuck Trail, a 5.4 km out-and-return route along the river from the trailhead to Die Stroom (the picnic area) and return
Further inland from the river, the Blue Crane Trail is a 3.2 km route along a jeep track, passing some of the small dams. A fifth circular trail of about 6 km, the Termite Loop, commences near Die Stroom and climbs a long gentle incline before crossing Western Drive and descending back to the river.
Birding
The park is a good location for birding, with over 200 species recorded. Large species commonly see here are the
Day visitors can access all areas of the park except for the Lang Elsies Kraal Rest Camp. However, a dedicated picnic area at Die Stroom has ablutions, braai (barbecue) facilities, a children's play area, and access to the river to swim, fish or kayak.
Accommodation in the park
All accommodation is located at the Lang Elsie's Kraal Rest Camp, on the banks of the Breede River. Fourteen one- and two-bedroom wooden cottages are complemented by multiple camping stands, available with or without electricity points. Stands suitable for caravans are also available. All accommodation booking is through SANParks.
References
- ^ a b c d e South African National Parks. "Bontebok National Park". Retrieved 2006-08-13.
- ^ a b c South Africa Nature Reserves. "Bontebok National Park" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-10-07. Retrieved 2006-08-13.
- ^ ISBN 1-74104-162-7.
- S2CID 1538591. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2020-04-11.
- ISBN 0-691-12219-9.
- ^ "Bontebok National Park | South Africa Travel - African Sky".
- ^ "Wildlife of the Bontebok National Park - South Africas Smallest National Park".