Tankwa Karoo National Park

Accommodation

• Paulshoek Cottage
• Varschfontein Cottage
• Elandsberg Wilderness Camp
• Tanqua Guesthouse
• DeZyfer Cottage
• Camping Facilities
• Gannaga Lodge

Paulshoek Cottage

The Paulshoek farmstead, restored in 2003, is quaintly furnished with antique furniture and able to accommodate up to six guests. The cottage is situated approximately 5km from the park offices at Roodewerf and has beautiful views of the imposing Roggeveld Escarpment and plains between.

• Two bedrooms, 4 beds (1 double bed and 1 single bed per room)
• One bathroom (shower only)
• Open-plan kitchen and living-room
• Braai-facilities
• Fully equipped with linen, towels, cutlery, crockery cooking utensils etc.
• Gas two-plate stove and fridge
• Paraffin lamps and candles (provided)
• “Donkey” / boiler, wood supplied
• Wood stove for lighting during cold spells

Varschfontein Cottage

The Varschfontein Cottage, also an old farmhouse, was renovated in 2005 and is able to accommodate up to nine guests. The cottage is situated 45km from the park offices at Roodewerf within the dry westerly section of Tankwa National Park. The desolate beauty of the area is truly breathtaking and the cottage is the ideal getaway for those seeking a reprieve from the human masses.

• Three bedrooms, 6 beds (1 double bed and 1 single bed per room)
• One bathroom (shower only)
• Open-plan kitchen and living-room
• Braai-facilities
• Reservoir for swimming purposes
• Accessibility by low-clearance vehicles hampered by the occurrence of water relay humps in road
• Access through sedan & 2x4 vehicles not advisable in winter
• Fully equipped with linen, towels, cutlery, crockery cooking utensils etc.
• Gas two-plate stove and fridge
• Paraffin lamps and candles (provided)
• “Donkey” / boiler, wood supplied
• Hearth inside house for cooking or lighting of fire during cold spells

Elandsberg Wilderness Camp

The development of the Elandsberg Wilderness Camp was initiated in September 2006 and completed by April 2008. The five cottages are situated 18km from the park offices at Roodewerf in the hills known as Elandsberg. Each cottage boasts beautiful views of the Karoo plains and imposing Roggeveld Escarpment.

By the use of the locally made unbaked clay-and-straw bricks with sections of walls built with rock, a bygone era is evoked, one of simpler times… Examples of this building method can also be found in the many ruins within the park.

• 3 x One-bedroom Cottages, double bed
• 1 x One-bedroom Universal Unit, double bed
• 1 x Two-bedroom Cottage, 1 x double bed & 2 x single beds
• Queen-sized sleeper-couch in living room
• One bathroom (shower only)
• Open-plan kitchen and living-room
• Covered Braai / Stoep
• Fire-place in living room
• Splash-pool per unit
• Fully equipped with linen, towels, cutlery, crockery, cooking utensils etc.
• Gas appliances
• Paraffin lamps and candles (provided)
  

Tanqua Guesthouse

The Tanqua Guest House is very conveniently situated on the southern boundary of the Tankwa National Park and a stone’s throw from the Oudebaaskraal Dam. Built somewhat like a desert fort, the Tanqua Guest House was formerly owned by Esther and Alewyn Burger and later incorporated into the Tankwa National Park in 2007. The guest house offers a range of accommodation and has played host to weddings, teambuilding exercises as well as film and commercial shoots. Also situated next to the main building is a 900m air strip, allowing fly-ins by guests.

Main House (A)

• Two units with 2 bedrooms (1double bed + 2 single beds per unit) with shared bathroom
• One unit with double bedroom and bathroom
• Kitchen and living area shared by these 3 units
• Braai facilities
• Fireplace in living room
• Fully equipped with linen, cutlery, crockery, etc.

Self-catering Family Unit (B)

• Four bedrooms, 1 double and 3 twin
• Two bathrooms (one en-suite)
• Open-plan kitchen, living-and dining room
• Braai-facilities
• Fireplace in living-room
• Fully equipped with linen, cutlery, crockery, etc.

Only self-catering accommodation available at present. However, catering can be provided if an advanced request is made.

DeZyfer Cottage

DeZyfer Cottage is an old farmstead dating back from the early 1900's. It was lovingly renovated just before Easter 2009. The cottage, with its welcoming stoep and hearth, is a must for the nostalgic heart. Birding enthusiasts will also enjoy the many little visitors to the earth dam nearby.

• Two bedrooms:1 bed (1 double beds in each)
• Queen-sized sleeper couch in living room
• Bathroom (with shower only)
• Open plan living area/kitchen with fireplace
• Lighting by candles only (provided)
• Two-plate gas stove and fridge
• Fully equipped with linen, towels, cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils.
• Braai facilities
• "Donkey"/boiler wood supplied

Camping Facilities

Langkloof

Formerly an informal campsite, Langkloof has been upgraded with ablution facilities and running water during early 2011. The campsite is situated approximately 18km from the Park Reception at Roodewerf, within the scenic upper reaches of the Langkloof (Afrikaans for Long Gorge). Kudu, other small antelope and mammals frequents the area and, with you, are the only ones to experience the awesome power of thunder storms and the ensuing wonder of the Rhenoster River in flashflood.

• 2 x campsites, each with own bathroom and kitchen
  
• Bathroom - toilet, shower, basin
  
• Kitchen – no cooking facilities supplied
  
• Braai facilities, no braai grid supplied
  
• Carport
  
• Gas geyser
  
• Paraffin lamps
  
• No electrical points
  
• Access by high clearance 2x4
  
• 4x4 advisable in rainy seasons
  

Perdekloof

Singing cicadas and the westerly wind in the branches of gnarled Karee trees, is the soundtrack to a hot January day.

February brings the anticipation of rain, daily, with soft towering cumulonimbus clouds hovering over the Roggeveld Escarpment and the might of Thunder, finally, ending the wait in its mighty afternoon displays.

March, and Tankwa Karoo lulls into a light slumber in anticipation of shorter days, longer nights.

***Watch this space!***

Informal Campsites

Fully self-sufficient campers are allowed to camp at designated spots on an “only leave your footprints”- basis. Each site is for the exclusive use of the party reserving such a site.

Campsite Name	Proximity to Reception	Access by	Shade Trees	Water/Ablutions	Other
Pyper se Boom	8km	1) Careful driving with high-clearance Sedan 2) 4x4 advisable in winter	Yes – Bluegums & Prosopis4. The latter will be removed in future rainy seasons.	No	En route to Langkloof Section of Park, with kudu, other small antelope and mammals frequenting the area
Steenkampshoek	12km	4x4 only	No	No	Panoramic view of the Tanqua Karoo Basin, with Roggeveld cliffs behind you
Skaapwagterspos	13km	2x4 advisable	Yes – Pepper Tree (Schinus molle)	No	Hilly surrounds with gemsbok, duiker, Cape Mountain zebra and red hartebeest frequenting the area
Oom Rickert se Huis	16km	4x4 advisable in rainy seasons	Yes –Acacia karroo	No	Within Langkloof Section of Park with kudu, other small antelope and mammals frequenting the area
Volmoersfontein	32km	1) Careful driving with high-clearance sedan 2) 4x4 advisable in rainy seasons	No – camping adjacent to old ruin	Not for human consumption	Tankwa Plains – peace, quiet, “frontier”-feel, frequented by Cape mountain zebra and gemsbok. Birding the elusive Burchell's Courser.
Biesjesfontein	35km	1) Careful driving with high-clearance Sedan 2) 4x4 advisable in rainy seasons	No – camping adjacent to old ruin	No	Tankwa Plains – peace, quiet, “frontier”-feel, frequented by Cape mountain zebra and gemsbok. Birding.

Please note:

• All visitors are required to report at the Roodewerf Reception on arrival.
• Closest water source Langkloof/Rhenoster river (+/- June-November only) or at Roodewerf Reception.
• Prosopic glandulosa is a declared invader (Category 2) & prohibited within 30m of the 1:50 year flood line/watercourses.
• Road to Pyper se Boom, Langkloof and Oom Rickert se Huis crosses the Rhenoster River and its Hoenderhoek tributary - potentially flooded in winter/after summer thunder showers.

For further information, contact the Park Office on tel. 027 341 1927, fax 027 341 2814 or e-mail Tankwa National Park.

Gannaga Lodge

The Gannaga Lodge is situated on the striking Roggeveld Escarpment at the summit of the Gannaga Pass. This private property situated within the park, approximately 24km from the park offices at Roodewerf, features a conference venue, guesthouse, restaurant and licensed bar and is managed by the owners Johan and Norette Visagie.

Contact details:

• For bookings and further enquiries please contact Johan or Norette Visagie at:
  Tel: +27 (0)79 922 1688
  E-mail: agterkop@hantam.co.za
  Website: http://gannagalodge.blogspot.com/