Select Type of Accommodation at Tankwa Karoo National Park

The Tankwa Karoo National Park requires guests to drive high vehicles with tough tyres. The roads are all gravel and dirt and there is no fuel in the park, so prepare accordingly.

Tankwa is found in the south west Northern Cape and the park has no formal gate times, but there are certain times of the year when guests are not permitted to enter the park. From the 1st of October to 31 March guests cannot enter between the hours of 19:00 and 5:30, while from 1 April to 30 September, the hours between 18:00 and 6:30 are off limits.

About the Tankwa Karoo National Park

A place where the star gazer can immerse themselves in the full glory of the Milky Way on a clear night, many a guest has fallen in love with the Tankwa Karoo National Park. Although South Africa is home to millions of people, time spent in this park can easily leave you feeling as though you are alone in the world. And this is why so many people seek the solitude of the park to revive their senses and reenergise their souls.

The park was officially proclaimed in 1986 and it gets its name from the Tankwa River, which quenches the otherwise semi-desert that characterises the park's landscape. Since the proclamation, the park has increased in size and is renowned for being a place of exceptional biodiversity that you are unlikely to come across anywhere else.

Tankwa Karoo lies between the gorgeous Cederberg Mountain Range and the picturesque Great Karoo escarpment. The park is home to three distinct ecosystems which include open grasslands in the middle of the park, Roggeveld Mountains to the east and rolling golden sandy desert in the west. The Roggeveld Mountains play a vital role in keeping the park alive, by providing water to the park.

Of all the parks in South Africa, the Tankwa has one of the more interesting names. The real meaning of the name is unknown, but it is said to translate to either “Turbid Water” or “Thirst Land”, which in many ways perfectly suits the arid park.

Before the park was a conservation area, farmers would frequent the area with their livestock. As a result, the park’s plant life was completely over grazed. Humans have been living in the area for the last 10 000 years, with the Bushmen being the first inhabitants, followed by the Khoi. Both groups moved their livestock along with the migration of wildlife. After them, the trekboer farmers would graze their sheep here, moving with the seasons. Over time, farmers would settle there but found that the nomadic grazing was simply not sustainable.

A number of farms were bought to make space for the Tankwa reserve. Today the park is about 146 373 hectares of wild land, just about free of all human life. Home to a wide variety of birds as well as plants only found here, guests will have plenty of fun exploring all that the park has to offer.

Those who visit the park are in for an absolutely unforgettable experience and proper planning is essential for this remote destination.

The park is about as rural is it gets. There are no shops, no restaurants, no ATMs, and no places to fill up your vehicle (if your vehicle takes petrol). Diesel is available in some parts of the park. When you are planning your stay, you will literally have to pack everything you need for your time spent here. Guests should also keep in mind that there is no cellphone reception in the Tankwa, and Wi-Fi connection is limited to the parks reception.

On arrival at reception, guests can ask for an animal and plant species list, and it is important to pack insect repellent, flash lights, and binoculars. If you are travelling in winter, be sure to pack lots of warm clothes while in summer, you should bring everything you need in order to keep the heat away.

Tankwa Karoo Accommodation

For the most part, accommodation in the park is simple and rustic. There are guest houses, camping spots, huts and even a lodge, giving guests a variety of staying options. The majority of the accommodation is self-catering so again, planning and packing your trip properly is important if you want to get the most out of your stay.

Cottages

The two cottages guests can book include the Paulshoek Cottage and the Varschfontein Cottage.

Paulshoek has two bedrooms and four beds, one full bathroom, an open plan kitchen and living room, a braai area, a gas stove, solar fridge, paraffin lamps, candles, a boiler, and wood for the stove.

Varschfontein Cottage has three bedrooms and six beds, a bathroom, open plan kitchen and dining room, a reservoir to swim in, a two plate gas stove, a solar fridge, paraffin lamps, a boiler, and an indoor fire place. Guests need to book at least two nights stay as the cottage is in a remote area of the park.

Camping

There are various designated spots throughout the park where equipped campers can set up their tents or caravans. The park has a strict “leave only footprints” policy, and guests are advised to keep their campsites clean. Each campsite is capable of accommodating up to 15 people.

Tanqua Guesthouse Complex

On the southern border of the park is a desert fortress converted into a guesthouse which offers various types of accommodation while it also hosts weddings. Some of the accommodation options include:

Tanqua Unit 1 – This unit has one bedroom with a double bed and an en-suite bathroom. The unit is fully equipped and has its own kitchen, but shares a living area.

Tanqua Unit 2 – With a bedroom with 2 single beds and a room with a double bed, this unit is ideal for bigger parties. The unit has a kitchen, braai facilities, a shared living area and is completely self-catered.

Tanque Unit 3 – A bedroom with 2 single beds and a bedroom with a double bed await those who stay here. This unit also has braai facilities, a kitchen, a bathroom and a shared living space.

Rustic Accommodation

For a truly authentic experience, guests can choose to stay in partially built facilities which blend in perfectly with the surrounding semi-desert. These unique complexes are dotted throughout the park and they include:

2x4 Pyper se Boom Steenkampshoek Skaapwagtespos Oom Rickert se Huis Volmoesfontein Biesjiesfontein

With the exception of the last two options, these places can only be accessed with a 2x4 or 4x4 vehicle and there are no ablution facilities or running water.

Gannaga Lodge

On the escarpment of the Roggeveld, at the very top of the Gannaga Pass, sits this stunning lodge. It is on private property, roughly 24km from the parks offices and it is owned by Norette and Johan Visagie. The lodge is a guesthouse, licensed bar, conference venue and restaurant.

Tankwa Karoo Flora and Fauna

Flora

A rich flora habitat awaits those who visit the park, and while so many guests hope to see animals and birds while touring any of the nation’s parks, those who come here often come to immerse themselves in the rich biosphere. Some of the vegetation types you should keep a look out for include the central Tanqua grassy plains, Roggeveld Karoo, Succulent Karoo, and Roggeveld Shale Renosterveld.

Fauna

The park is certainly not without its animals and guests to the park should look out for Red Hartebeest, Springbok, Eland, Cape Mountain Zebra, Gemsbok, and all kinds of various rodents and insects.

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