SANParks.org Forums

This is my first visit to Tankwa National Park and I was hoping that some one could answer some questions for me.

Is unleaded fuel available in the park?

I am staying at Elandsberg cottages and want to visit as much of the park as possible.
Can I travel from there to the Gannaga Pass and Watervlei 4x4 route. The map shows that the road from Elandsberg to Gannaga Pass goes through private property and shows the road as No Entry?

Looking forward to your replies, thank you.

Capetonian

I've only driven through a corner of the park from Calvinia to Ceres , and no fuel inbetween . The following info . is from the Sanparks website .

Access from from Calvinia, Ceres, Sutherland and Matjiesfontein


Distances

Ceres to Tankwa is about 180km - nearest petrol-point will be Middlepost.
From Calvinia to Tankwa 110km.

Remember , its all gravel road , and not necessarily nice gravel road . The R355 between Ceres and Calvinia is the longest single stretch of road anywhere in South Africa between two towns , without another town or village on it .

Enjoy the ride - great scenery for those who like far distances .

Don't think there is any fuel available in the park.

Travelling times: There are restricted travelling times in the park. No travelling is permitted within Tankwa National Park during the following times:

1 October to 31 March 19:00 – 05:30
1 April to 30 September 18:00 – 06:30
Exemption granted to visitors arriving on a Friday by no later than 21:00 at reception, to travel by means of most direct route to the reception and from the reception to their booked accommodation.

Last stops for fuel (measured from park offices) are Ceres (180km), Sutherland (140km - closed from Saturdays 13:00 for weekend), Calvinia (110km) and Middelpos (52km).
Vehicle fuel is available in all parks (or is available on the park periphery) - South African legislation stipulates that fuel stations will accept legitimate petrol/fuel/garage/credit/debit cards or cash as a form of payment for any fuel purchase.
Arrivals for accommodation from 14:00 only, departure at 10:00.
No shops, restaurants, public phones or ATMs in the park.
General Dealer and Bottle Store in Middelpos.
No cellphone reception within the park as well as main access roads.
Credit card facilities are available.
Prosopis Wood for sale in park.

Hope this will help.

Spoke to Audrie at Tankwa enquiries and she assured me that there are diesel in the park available but petrol are only available outside the park.Nearest town Middelpos(52km).

For diesel.

Picnic Nice to know . But I still wouldn't take a chance , unless your vehicle can only do about 150 kilometers or so on a tank of course .

Thanks for your replies concerning fuel.
Picnic thanks for your reply and on that basis I will presume that no unleaded fuel is available within the park, even though the SANParks website states that all parks have fuel!

Can anyone answer my second question concerning access through private land to get to Gannaga Pass from Elandsberg cottages.

Thanks

Capetonian