SANParks.org Forums

Sanpark's video clip of Bontebok.

Thanks, Gwen! These video clips are great, I think, for stimulating interest in the less well-known parks. I've also enjoyed your pix from your visit there. Looks like an interesting and low-key place. Just a bit too far for a day trip from CT, tho, I think?

Thanks for the clip Gwendolyn.

It's 240 km from Cape Town.
But you could overnight in a Chalavan. Imagine saying "Hey, I slept in a chalavan.

Considering that, actually ... sounds . Probably will leave it for a last minute decision, depending on what the weather is like while I'm in CT. I expect that for a midweek visit, it might be reasonably easy to get a last minute reservation.

I'v been to bontebok loads of times, I prefer camping next to the river and fishing after a hot cup of coffie early in the morning.
The are fully grown Bontebok walking around the campsites as well as huge tortoises you also have agreat chance of seeing a fish eagle along the river(wich you can swim in).
On a nice day you can go for a hike following the river to see good veiws and wildlife.

Sounds great, but since I come to CT from the USA, I don't have the option of camping as I'd have to invest in gear I'd rarely use. The chalevans sound a good option for me. Are they not near the river?

Swimming in the river above the weir below the campsite is lovely. A Decembers ago, lam & I and the kids (then in their early teens) spent a memorable afternoon cooling off there. Because the river flows quite strongly at times, it makes for quite energetic swimming, but it still quite safe.

Since the success of the bontebok park, are their any plans envisioned to expand it to give the bontebok a greater chance to multiply?

Did you know that...

The park was proclaimed in 1931 to protect the last 30 Bontebok left in the wild?

It is also one of the largest remaining 'renosterveld islands' containing several plant species found nowhere else in the world?

It is also the smallest of South Africa's 20 National Parks?

It has a high density of rare and endangered bird life, fynbos species and animal life?

The rest camp is named after the 'Hessekwa' khoi-khoi chieftainess called 'Lang Elsie'?

The Hessekwa traded with the first Dutch settlers who landed in Cape Town in 1652?

The park has a spectacular view of the Langeberg mountains?

Bontebok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi) are now quite common in private reserves as well as the BNP. Alarmingly, they are commonly listed on the price lists of professional hunting companies (at less than 1500USD an animal). They are now considered to be a sub-species of blesbuck.

There is'nt any chalavans very close to the river compared to camping, but you can take a quick 5 minute walk for a swim or to relax next to the water.

Thanks for all the interesting facts, leopardspotter!! I really must make an effort to visit. My only bontebok sightings have been a few of the very shy ones at Cape Point. And the rare fynbos sounds equally interesting.

The chalavans aren't far from the river.

Expanding the park could be quite difficult as it is surrounded by farmland which I imagine would be quite expensive to buy up.