Vital Information The duration and temperature of the growing season clearly separates succulent Karoo from other biomes. The Tankwa Karoo is one of the most arid sections of the Karoo. Isohyets of mean annual rainfall (mm) for the Karoo indicate that the Tankwa Karoo National Park falls into the 0-100 mm range (Venter et al. 1986), with 25% of the mean annual precipitation falling in summer. The mean July minimum temperature is 5,7C, and the mean January maximum temperature is 38,9C. The highest average maximum temperatures and wind speeds occur from November to March and from October to March respectively.
There is no tourism infrastructure in the park, although there are a couple of privately operated bed and breakfasts on the parks periphery. For campers and people loving the outdoors, in the park there are 3 very historical houses offering only a roof to stay under and drinking water close by. Food parcels, picnic baskets, braai packs and braai wood can be arranged. Any entrance to the park is at the discretion of park management.
Contact Information Tel and Fax: +27 (0)27 341-2389
The Tankwa Karoo National Park The Tankwa Karoo National Park is designated as a Scientific National Park, and as such offers no visitor facilities. The park is not open to the public as a rule, but through direct contact with the park management, special entry permission can be requested. However with panoramic views over semi-desert landscapes bursting into a flower paradise during August and September while the spectacular Roggeveld mountains lurks on the horizon and the Rhenoster River flowing through the park, this is a magnificent part of South Africa nobody want to miss.
Only two Southern African regions have been bestowed the honour of designation as Biodiversity Hotspots by Conservation International. One is of course the Cape Floral Kingdom, and the other the Succulent Karoo. For those whose image of the southwestern Karoo is a shimmering wasteland to be endured as briefly as possible en route to Cape Town or Johannesburg, this may come as a surprise.
Though the remarkable endemism and diversity of the Succulent Karoo flora (at its most spectacular from August to October) is its most renowned aspect, the Karoo as a whole naturally has a great deal to offer the birder.
The Park protects one of the most starkly beautiful tracts of the Tankwa Karoo and is well worth visiting for several reasons, among them its koppie-studded, moon-like landscape, diversity of succulent plants, fine Karoo birding and, perhaps most notably for hardened birders, above-average chance of finding the enigmatic Burchells Courser.
A dense population of Black Eagle breeding pairs are found, and will be seen circling the sky, while the chancers can tackle the cliffs for closer sights of the nests and nestlings.
Why the conservation of Tankwa Karoo? - It has a unique environment gradient from the top of the Roggeveld escarpment in the east to the Cedarberge in the west. - It is the most southerly explored environment where the Black Rhino has previously being seen in its natural habitat. - It is also the most southerly turning point of the migrating routes for antelope like the Springbuck. - The migrating corridor for succulent plants is found through Tankwa Karoo. - Two temperature regimes are included in Tankwa Karoo National Park. - Summer- and winter rainfall is included in Tankwa Karoo National Park.
When To Visit Spring is best: birding it at its peak from August to October, when the region may also unpredictably burst into flower. However, the majority of the specials (with the possible exception of Black-headed Canary, Ludwigs Bustard and Black-eared Finchlark) are accessible year-round with a little effort.
Roads Please take care when driving in this region. The road gravel is sharp and often loose, and a great deal of caution needs to be taken with corners and sudden stops. Furthermore, please give some thought to your fuel and water requirements, bearing in mind that there are no towns in the Tankwa Karoo proper, and the closest refuelling points are Ceres, Sutherland Middelpos and Calvinia. Those with thirsty engines may consider packing a (full) jerry-can to guard against potential concerns over birding detours.
