Tankwa Karoo National Park
All-in-One
As luminous clouds of dust swirl through the ancient landscape, a tortoise patiently ambles around in search of some succulent morsel, a lizard basks in the sun while suricates and mongoose share the arid plains with orb-web spiders, centipedes and leggy toktokkies…
Tankwa Karoo National Park is situated on the southern boundary of the Northern Cape with the Roggeveld Escarpment in the East, Cederberg in the West, and Klein Roggeveld Mountains in the South.
Just a four hour drive from Cape Town brings you to this unique national park situated within the Succulent Karoo Biome where you'll find rare and endangered plant species, rich endemic birdlife, and landscapes that will take your breath away – from the sheer cliffs of the Roggeveld Escarpment to the moonscapes of the Tankwa Desert.
While Tankwa Karoo National Park is still in a developmental and land consolidation phase, expanding from the original 26,000 hectares in 1986 to nearly 111,000 ha in 2007, it is the ideal destination for those seeking the brightest stars in Africa, a once in a lifetime glimpse of a rare endemic bird or perhaps nothing more than a silence that reaches deep into the soul…
Place Of Vast Horizons
By Sam Sterban, Edited by Letsie Coetzee 20 January 2008
The road from Citrusdal twists over the Middelberg Pass, affording grand views of cloud dappled mountains. It descends into the Koue Bokkeveld with its comfortable farms and well ordered orchards, and leads us to the little settlement of Op-die-Berg. If you turn east here, as we did, the landscape changes dramatically. The road crosses the Riet River, abruptly turning its back on the soft greenery of the Boland and heads into a rugged wilderness of rocky ridges and majestic, pastel shaded African views. At the crest of the Swartruggens Escarpment a splendid sight unfolds. Far below lie the tawny plains of the Ceres Karoo, sweeping away majestically to the eastern horizon defined by the purple ramparts of the Roggeveld mountains.
Cutting straight across the wide valley below us is a thin ribbon of road, the gravel umbilical cord stretching from gentle Ceres to the arid wilderness of the Hantam at Calvinia, the longest uninterrupted drive between any two towns in South Africa. The road had just been graded and was in excellent condition. It is a lonely highway and we encountered only a few vehicles which whipped past us, towing dense banners of fine dust and peppering our vehicle with small stones. Just north of the isolated farm of Gansfontein we turned right at a sign post to the Tankwa Karoo National Park, and travelled a further 70 kilometres on another gravel road before arriving at the park’s head quarters.
The Tankwa Karoo is not yet officially open to the public. It has, however, been accepting bookings for some time and is very popular. There are, at present, only 4 accommodation units, and it is essential to book well in advance, especially during spring, when one can expect an exuberant display of wild flowers if the preceding winter’s rains have been plentiful as was the case in 2007.
The Tankwa is a place of solitude and vast horizons. The nights are profoundly still with a lavish display of stars cascading down the ink black sky from horizon to horizon. It is a priceless addition to our national parks system in a world that is becoming ever more congested, noisy and threatening. Situated within the Succulent Karoo Biome, the park’s area has grown from the original 26 000 hectares proclaimed in 1986 to nearly 111 000 hectares in 2007.
From park head quarters, we drove to our first night’s accommodation in the new wilderness cottages at Elandsberg. The road undulates across a regal landscape painted with lavish brush strokes of gold and yellow. The intense colours of the floral splendour around us deepened as the golden afternoon eased gently towards tranquil early evening. Two of the five cottages at Elandsberg have been completed and their amenities are comparable with those offered by expensive private game lodges. The buildings blend superbly into the rocky landscape, being constructed on the contour of the hillside and positioned in such a way that they are not directly visible from one another. They have been built traditionally, using unbaked mud and straw bricks with sections of the walls constructed of rock recovered from the clearing of the site. Large picture windows afford wonderful views of the Roggeveld Escarpment.
As the sun declined, purple shadows crept over the crags and precipitous slopes of the distant escarpment. For a moment of sheer, joyous enchantment, the mountains were washed in a soft pink blush and then the sun was gone. Almost immediately, the first stars appeared, to be joined by hundreds, then thousands, then thousands upon thousands more until the vast bowl above us was pricked by a myriad of polished silver crystals, with the soft, silver cloud of the Milky Way arching from horizon to horizon.
There is no electricity in the park, and lamps and candles illuminate the spacious, attractively furnished rooms and heighten our sense of solitude. Not a light winked in the darkness; there was no thud of a generator, rumble of diesel engine, no sound of human voices other than our own. We could have been the first settlers in this vast and brooding landscape.
We spent one night at Elandsberg and then moved to the cottage at Paulshoek, about 5 kilometres from the park offices. While Elandsberg is modern (although constructed in the traditional manner) Paulshoek is a restored farm house, furnished in a Victorian style typical of old fashioned Karoo homesteads. It is a tiny isolated spot in the immensity of the Tankwa plains which press up to the house. One can walk out into the veld, climb a low, rugged ridge and gaze out over the golden landscape towards the distinctive Katjiesberg table land to the south and the crags and citadels of the Cederberg range dominating the western horizon.
The shadows lengthened and we returned to our temporary home, our boots dusted with yellow pollen. As at Elandsberg there is no electricity at Paulshoek. There are a few pleasant chores to perform before one can relax - the ancient donkey behind the cottage must be stoked before one can shower; the braai fire must be laid and lit. Then it is time to pull up some chairs at the little water hole near the front door and, glass in hand, await the evening arrival of flocks of rapidly flying Namaqua sandgrouse. We contemplated our good fortune, revelling in the immensity of the golden plains and warmed by the setting sun which painted the Roggeveld Mountains in gentle shades of pink and violet. Later the rugged koppies behind the cottage were thrown into stark silhouette against a radiant western sky. The donkey was drawing well and there would be plenty of hot water for our showers, there was red wine and brandy on the kitchen table and the braai fire was burning down into a glowing bed ready to receive our spare ribs and boerewors. We could not believe that we were only four hours’ drive from our home in Somerset West.
Some Tips
- Advance booking is essential especially in the spring months.
- At the time of our visit, the access road to Elandsberg was very rough, and a four wheel drive vehicle was a great advantage.
- The cottages are fully equipped but there is no shop in the park and visitors must be self sufficient regarding food and drink. Firewood is available.
- There are no fuel pumps in the park. However I filled my 90 litre tank in Citrusdal and had sufficient fuel to drive from Citrusdal to the park, drive around in it and return to Somerset West.
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Accommodation
Tankwa Karoo National Park is designated as a Scientific National Park and still in a developmental phase. As such the park offers very little visitor facilities and other amenities and it is thus essential for prospective visitors to confirm availability, directions and other information with the park management prior to arrival.
Paulshoek Cottage
The Paulshoek farmstead was restored in 2003 and able to accommodate up to six people. The cottage is situated approximately 5km from the new park offices at Roodewerf and has beautiful views of the imposing Roggeveld Escarpment and plains in-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, cutlery, towels, 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 situated 45km from the park offices at Roodewerf and able to accommodate up to nine people. The cottage lies within the dry Westerly Section of Tankwa National Park and the desolate beauty of the area is truly breathtaking.
• 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, cutlery, crockery, towels, 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
Development of a five cottage wilderness camp was initiated in September 2006, with the first two cottages completed in July 2007. Construction on the three remaining cottages is due for completion by February 2008.
The wilderness camp is situated in the hills of the area known as the Elandsberg, with views of Tanqua Karoo plains and the imposing Roggeveld Escarpment. Each cottage is built with locally made clay-and-straw bricks with sections of walls built with rocks from the site, a traditional building method which can still be seen in many of the ruins within the park.
Three cottages will consist of a bedroom, bathroom, open-plan kitchen and living room, the latter able to sleep a further two people on a queen-sized sleeper couch and thus capable of accommodating a total of four guests each. A universal unit for mobility impaired guests and a two bedroom unit will complete the wilderness camp. A small splash-pool will also be constructed at each unit by February 2008.
• One bathroom (shower only)
• Open-plan kitchen and living-room
• Covered Braai / Stoep
• Fire-place in living room
• Accessibility by low-clearance vehicles hampered at present
• Fully equipped with linen, cutlery, crockery, towels, 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. Built somewhat like a desert fort, the Tanqua Guest House was formerly run by Esther and Alewyn Burger but was incorporated into the park at the end of 2007. The Guest House offers a range of accommodation and has played host to weddings, teambuilding exercises as well as film and commercial shoots. A 900m landing strip is also situated next to the main building allowing fly-ins by guests.
• 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.
• Electrical appliances
• Limited electricity available via generator
Camping facilities
No formal facilities for camping are currently available in Tankwa National Park. Fully self-sufficient campers are however allowed to camp at designated spots on approval of park management.
A campsite with six stands, in the area known as Perdekloof, is due for completion early 2008.
For further information, contact the Park Office on tel. 027 341 1927, fax 027 341 2814 or e-mail Letsie Coetzee
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Vital Information
General Information
- Roodewerf Office GPS coordinates: S32°14’27.9” E20°05’44.5”
- Last stops for fuel (measured from park offices) are Ceres (180km), Calvinia (110km), Sutherland (140km – closed from Saturdays 13:00 for weekend) and Middelpos (50km – only Lead Replacement and Diesel)
- No shops, restaurants, public phones or ATM’s in the park
- General Dealer and Bottle Store in Middelpos
- No cellphone reception within the park as well as main access roads
- No credit card or Wild Card facilities available at present
- Prosopis Wood for sale in park
- No pets allowed
- No fire-arms allowed
- Arrivals for accommodation from 14:00 only, departure at 10:00
Contact Information
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For enquiries e-mail Tankwa Karoo National Park or phone us on the following numbers:
Tel: +27 (0)27 341 1927
+27 (0)27 341 2389
Fax: +27 (0)27 341 2814
Climate and Vegetation
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 5,7°C, and the mean January maximum temperature is 38,9°C. The
Planning Your Visit
Birding
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, Ludwig’s Bustard and Black-eared Finchlark) are accessible year-round with a little effort.
Itineraries & Approaches
Those approaching the Tankwa Karoo from Cape Town will find that although it is certainly possible to visit the areas described here in a (long) day trip from Cape Town, this really requires a desperately early start and making a weekend of it is far preferable. The R355/P2250 junction is 103 km from Ceres, and takes over three hours to reach from Cape Town. Coming from the east, an attractive option is work your way down into the Tanqua over Ouberg Pass, having first taken the tarred R354 from the N1 towards Sutherland. The Tankwa Karoo also makes an excellent start to a Bushman Land trip: the R355 can be followed north all the way to Calvinia. The road surface is generally excellent and the scenery superb, but please make sure that you’re adequately prepared for the lonely drive (see below).
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.
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Birding in Tanqua Karoo National Park and surrounds
This article on birding within and in the region of Tankwa-Karoo National Park has been reproduced with permission from the authors Callan Cohen and Claire Spottiswoode. It was published in Africa: Birds and Birding in the April/May 2002 edition, (volume 7, number 2). It may only be copied in portion or its entirety with the permission of either the authors or Africa: Birds and Birding.
Birding the Tanqua Karoo
Just 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. With no less than 18 endemics almost wholly restricted to it, the Karoo is an essential destination for any birder visiting southern Africa, as well as a potential source of exciting new species for hardened locals.
Consequently, the accessible south-western corner of the Karoo – a low-lying, mountain-bound section of the Succulent Karoo biome known as the Tanqua Karoo, after the river that bisects it – has received a great deal of birding attention. Here, in sparsely populated semidesert just two and a half hours drive from Cape Town , the majority of the Karoo specials are easily accessible in a day’s outing from the city. The famous stretch of white, dusty R355 from Karoopoort through Eierkop to Skitterykloof (the latter popularly but erroneously known as “Katbakkies” – the true Katbakkies Pass lies 15km to the west) has been intensively birded as has already received detailed treatment in such accounts as The Birds of the South-Western Cape and Where to Watch Them (Cape Bird Club, 1995) and Essential Birding in Western South Africa: Key Routes from Cape Town to the Kalahari (Struik, 2000). For a detailed description of birding in these southerly reaches of the Tanqua, you may wish to visit the free, electronic version of the latter resource on the web at www.capebirdingroute.org.
Our purpose here, however, is to draw attention to some lesser-known areas north and west of the R355, which have proved to supply superb birding. Notably, a number of sought-after species, usually associated with the less accessible Bushmanland region to the north and difficult to find or absent at the traditional Tanqua Karoo sites, appear to reach the south-western limit of their regular range here. We also describe some highlights of the Tanqua Karoo National Park , a much overlooked yet fairly accessible and strikingly beautiful protected area north of the Tanqua River . Lastly, we suggest some practical itineraries for tackling a trip to the Tanqua and combining it with a more extensive tour of the arid west, and describe some of the excellent accommodation options now available in this region.
Larks, Eremomelas and the P2250
For those unfamiliar with the Tanqua Karoo, the stretch of R355 regional road linking Karoopoort, at the south-westernmost corner of the Tanqua Karoo, to Eierkop and Skitterykloof provides access to a good selection of Karoo endemics. Beyond the Skitterykloof turn-off, the R355 continues northwards to Calvinia through a lonely and very beautiful stretch of semidesert, bounded on the west by the dramatic skyline of the Cedarberg mountains. Conveniently, however, even day-trippers can add an attractive extra few Karoo specials and enjoy some great landscapes by continuing a more manageable distance north. Twenty-five kilometers north of the Skitterykloof turn-off, a minor road, the P2250 (1 on map), heads off northeastwards towards the distant towns of Middelpos and Sutherland. We consider this unassuming regional road to be perhaps one of the finest for birding of the southwestern Karoo , particularly in spring, when the scrub is alive with displaying, nest-building and chick-provisioning birds. The initial stretches are relatively heavily vegetated and resemble the familiar R355; however, before long the bushes grow further and further apart. Stretches of gleaming gravel appear, punctuated by the occasional clump of spiny Hoodia, a fly-pollinated succulent decorated in spring by droopy and foully malodorous pink flowers. Approaching the junction marked 2 on the map, two larger watercourses cross the road en route to the larger Tanqua River , not far to the north, and break the monotony with their dense Acacia karoo thickets.
Perhaps the most conspicuous species along these arid stretches is Tractrac Chat, a gravel-plains specialist with a short-tailed, dumpy jizz. The commonest bird of the adjacent scrub is usually Rufous-eared Warbler, a noisy, neurotic and beautifully marked endemic of southern Africa ’s arid west. Spike-heeled Larks are also particularly common here, as well as Thick-billed, Karoo and Red-capped Larks. Karoo Lark is particularly easy to find in spring, when its rattling call is heard everywhere. The commonest seedeater in the area is usually Yellow Canary; however, nomadic species like Black-headed Canary and Larklike Bunting periodically invade the area. The latter can be particularly abundant at times, and is generally present much more regularly than further south in the Tanqua Karoo. Coveys of Namaqua Sandgrouse, another erratic visitor further south, flush up at intervals from the roadside. Especially in winter and spring, Ludwig’s Bustard may be present in some numbers and are best spotted in flight, while Karoo Korhaans occur year-round. Pairs or small parties are occasionally seen within sight of the road, although their true density is only revealed at dawn, when their atmospheric frog-like duets drift across the scrub. Greater Kestrel, a scarce bird further south in the Tanqua, is fairly regularly seen along the P2250, as well as the commoner Pale Chanting Goshawk, Rock Kestrel and the occasional Black-chested (breasted) Snake Eagle and Martial Eagle.
Karoo Eremomela , a curiously localised and sometimes tricky Karoo endemic, is remarkably common along here. Look especially along the shallow drainage lines 4-7 km from the R355, always remaining alert for its two calls (a high-pitched, pulsating whine, somewhat like the tightening of a rusty bolt, and a Spike-heeled Lark-like krrr-krrr). Small groups of this social and cooperative-breeding species follow each other through the scrub, popping up at intervals to let forth a volley of whines.
The highly nomadic Black-eared Finchlark, usually considered a Bushmanland special, may well be a regular visitor to this region. In 1996, they bred in the Tanqua Karoo National Park (see Africa: Birds & Birding 2(1): 74), and in spring 2001 invaded the Tanqua Karoo once again. In this exceptional season, they occurred and probably bred right down to Eierkop at the Tanqua’s southern edge; however, they occurred at highest densities along the P2250, and patchily in the Tanqua Karoo National Park (see below). When breeding, aerially displaying males are easy to locate, looking more like giant, floppy black butterflies than birds. In flight, only their dangling white legs break the pure black of their underwings and bodies. Small groups tend to land frustratingly concealed in the scrub; the best technique is to walk slowly up to the spot, and wait quietly until a foraging bird potters into view in a gap between the bushes.
As the day heats up or once you have exhausted the possibilities of the gravel plains and scrub, you may wish to make a stop at the first or especially the second Acacia-lined watercourse, the latter crossing the P2250 27.6km from the R355. These supply all the expected Karoo thicket species, such as Pririt Batis, Cape Penduline Tit (also in the adjacent lower scrub), Rufous-ventedTitbabbler and White-backed Mousebird. Just beyond the second watercourse, a turn-off to the left, signposted ‘Tanqua’ and marked 2 on the map, takes one 12 km further to the Tanqua River and Tanqua Guest House (3 on map; see Box). The Tanqua Guest House (see Box) makes an excellent base for exploring this area and the adjacent National Park; however, the river does lie on private land, so if you wish to visit for the day please obtain prior permission from the landowners, Alewyn and Esther Burger (tel. 027 341 2366). Namaqua Warbler, which in the Tanqua Karoo occasionally also occurs into Acacia thickets far from water, is very common and fairly easily seen in the mixture of reeds and Acacia thicket densely lining the Tanqua River . This riparian strip is also one of the more reliable sites in the Tanqua Karoo to look for Dusky Sunbird, a highly nomadic desert sunbird that only occasionally ventures south to the Eierkop-Skitterykloof area. The Tanqua River is dammed just beyond the Guest House, rather startlingly creating a substantial waterbody which hosts varying numbers of waterfowl and waders, perhaps most characteristically South African Shelduck and Avocet.
The Tanqua Karoo National Park
The Tanqua 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. The Park protects one of the most starkly beautiful tracts of the Tanqua 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 Burchell’s Courser. The park is criss-crossed by a number of vehicle tracks, most of which are easily negotiable by two-wheel-drive. The Park’s management currently welcomes visitors, on the understanding that no facilities are provided, and that prior permission is obtained from Park management at tel. 0273 412 352. However, please don’t let courser-ambition get the better of you, as should the presence of any birders result in any potentially negative impact on the park, such access may become restricted in the future.
Birders will probably want to concentrate their efforts along the track running parallel to the park’s southern boundary, and easily accessible from the Tanqua Guest House (see Box). Burchell’s Courser is seen fairly regularly on the patches of bare, burnished gravel along this road, and was even seen with chicks in spring 2001. Burchell’s Courser is a poorly known and notoriously tricky bird: it may be absent altogether in some years, and even when present requires considerable effort to spot. The best techniques are to drive along slowly, stopping now and then to scan promising-looking expanses of gravel, and to keep a very sharp eye out for odd-shaped birds flying over. Strangely, we have picked up most of the coursers we have seen in the park this way! Double-banded Courser also occurs here. A bird that appears to reach the southern limit of its regular range in the Tanqua Karoo here is Karoo Long-billed Lark , which becomes very much commoner as one enters Bushmanland to the north.
Ouberg Pass and on to Sutherland
Heading eastwards from the National Park, a potentially confusing network of roads (see map) works its way over the Roggeveld escarpment and on to the town of Sutherland, whose one-horse appearance belies its astronomical fame (as yet more literal than figurative, given that the new SALT, or Southern African Large Telescope is presently under construction here, and when complete will be the largest single telescope in the southern hemisphere). These are beautiful, remote roads, worth driving for their solitude and landscapes alone. However, if a birding objective is more acceptable, then Ouberg Pass (4 on map) does admirably. Ouberg is a truly spectacular pass, rising precipitously up through 600m of Roggeveld escarpment in a series of dramatic switchbacks which may not, perhaps, suit the particularly fainthearted. The rewards are superb views of the great, hazy basin of the Tanqua Karoo below, and excellent birding. Ouberg Pass is possibly the most reliable place within striking distance of Cape Town to see African Rock Pipit (knowledge of its call is essential), and is also a good site for other Karoo escarpment birds such as Sickle-winged Chat, Pale-winged Starling and, together with the plateau beyond, Cape Eagle Owl. The latter can be looked for any time from dusk onwards, simply by scanning the roadside telephone poles. Cape Eagle Owls can be unexpectedly common in many mountainous Karoo regions (see also Klein Cedarberg, boxed), though do beware of the occasional Spotted Eagle Owls venturing out of their favoured copses of exotic trees.
Planning Your Visit
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, Ludwig’s Bustard and Black-eared Finchlark) are accessible year-round with a little effort.
Itineraries & Approaches
Those approaching the Tanqua Karoo from Cape Town will find that although it is certainly possible to visit the areas described here in a (long) day trip from Cape Town , this really requires a desperately early start and making a weekend of it is far preferable. The R355/P2250 junction is 103 km from Ceres, and takes over three hours to reach from Cape Town . Coming from the east, an attractive option is work your way down into the Tanqua over Ouberg Pass , having first taken the tarred R354 from the N1 towards Sutherland. The Tanqua Karoo also makes an excellent start to a Bushmanland trip: the R355 can be followed north all the way to Calvinia. The road surface is generally excellent and the scenery superb, but please make sure that you’re adequately prepared for the lonely drive (see below).
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 Tanqua Karoo proper, and the closest refuelling points are Ceres, Sutherland and Calvinia. Those with thirsty engines may consider packing a (full) jerry-can to guard against potential concerns over birding detours.
Where to Stay
Klein Cedarberg Private Nature Reserve
We can testify that a visit to Klein Cedarberg is an experience in itself, even aside from its beautiful location in the Koue Bokkeveld region, west of Skitterykloof and not far from the true Katbakkies Pass. Karoo cuisine, Cedarberg architecture and the hospitality of the Wullschleger family combine with nearby Bushman rock art, excellent potential for night drives (notably for Cape Eagle Owl, but don’t ignore Smith’s Red Rock Rabbit, Rhebok and perhaps some time a Leopard!) and ideal proximity to birding at Skitterykloof. See www.capebirdingroute.org for further details.
Tanqua Guest House
The Tanqua Guest House is very conveniently situated on the southern bank of the Tanqua Karoo, a stone’s throw from the National Park. Built somewhat like a desert fort and catering primarily to small-plane enthusiasts, the Tanqua Guest House is run by Esther and Alewyn Burger and offers a range of accommodation, from fully-catered to self-catering to a rustic ‘hunting lodge’. The Burgers are also able to arrange access to the National Park for their guests. See www.capebirdingroute.org for further details.
Claire Spottiswoode & Callan Cohen
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Mammals
| R = Rare |
| C = Common |
| W = Widespread |
| Specie Name | Common Name | Density |
|---|---|---|
| Antidorcas marsupialis | Springbok | R |
| Canis mesomelas | Black-backed jackal | W |
| Chrysochloris asiatica | Cape golden mole | C |
| Cynictis penicillata | Yellow mongoose | R |
| Felis lybica | African wildcat | W |
| Felix caracal | Caracal | W |
| Genetta genetta | Small-spotted genet | R |
| Hystrix africaeaustralis | Porcupine | C |
| Ictonyx striatus | Striped polecat | C |
| Lepus capensis | Cape hare | W |
| Lepus saxatilis | Scrub Hare | R |
| Malacothrix typica | Large-eared mouse | |
| Mellivora capensis | Ratel (Honey badger) | R |
| Mus domesticus | House mouse | C |
| Oreotragus oreotragus | Klipspringer | W |
| Orycteropus afer | Aardvark (Antbear) | C |
| Otocyon megalotis | Bat-eared fox | C |
| Otomys unisulcatis | Karoo bushrat | |
| Palea capreolus | Grey Rhebok | R |
| Panthera pardus | Leopard | R |
| Papio cynocephalus ursinus | Chacma baboon | C |
| Procavia capensis | Rock dassie | C |
| Proteles cristatus | Aardwolf | R |
| Raphicerus campestris | Steenbok | W |
| Rhabdomys pumilio | Striped mouse | W |
| Suricata suricatta |
Suricate | R |
| Sylvicapra grimmia | Grey duiker | R |
| Tragelaphus strepsiceros | Kudu | R |
| Vulpes chama | Cape fox | W |
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Vegetation
| Where to find | Density |
| P = Plains | R = Rare |
| FP = Flood Plains | C = Common |
| DVV = Doring Vygie Veld | W = Widespread |
| Specie Name | Common Name | Where to find | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woody Plants | |||
| Aptosimum indivisum |
Karooviooltjie | FP | R |
| Asparagus multituberosum |
DVV | R | |
| Asparagus spp. |
DVV | C | |
| Berkheya fruticosa |
Vaaldissel | DVV | R |
| Berkheya spinosa |
Perdebos | DVV | R |
| Eberlanzia ferox |
Doringvygie | DVV | C |
| Eriocephalus capitellatus |
Kapokbos | FP | R |
| Eriocephalus spinescens |
Doringkapok | P | C |
| Eriocephalus spinosa | DVV | W | |
| Felicia lasiocarpa | DVV | W | |
| Forsskaolea candida | DVV | R | |
| Galenia Africana | Kraalbos | P | C |
| Galenia fruticosa | Vanwyksbos | FP | C |
| Galenia sp. DVV R |
DVV | R | |
| Hermannia cuneifolia |
Agt-dae-geneesbos | DVV | R |
| Hermannia spinosa |
Steekbossie | DVV | R |
| Hirpicium alienatum |
Kleihaarbossie | DVV | R |
| Lessertia pauciflora var. pauciflora |
Fyn-ertjie | FP | R |
| Limeum aethiopicum | Koggelmandervoetkaroo | DVV | R |
| Lycium bosciifolium |
DVV | R | |
| Lycium cinereum | Kriedoring | P | C |
| Lycium ferocissimum | Slangbessie | FP | C |
| Lycium horridum |
FP | C | |
| Lycium oxycarpum |
Wolwedoring | FP | C |
| Melolobium microphylum |
FP | C | |
| Microloma saggitatum | DVV | R | |
| Monechma spartioides | Sandsuikerbos | DVV | W |
| Osteospermum sinuatum | Geelbietou | DVV | C |
| Othonna arbuscula |
DVV | R | |
| Othonna multicaulis | DVV | R | |
| Othonna protecta |
DVV | R | |
| Othonna pteronioides |
FP | R | |
| Pelargonium magentium |
Persmalva | DVV | R |
| Pentzia incana |
Ankerkaroo | DVV | R |
| Pentzia spp. |
DVV | R | |
| Protasparagus capensis |
FP | W | |
| Pteronia glabrata |
DVV | C | |
| Pteronia intermedia |
FP | R | |
| Pteronia leucoclada |
DVV | W | |
| Pteronia mucronata |
Kersbossie | DVV | R |
| Pteronia pallens |
Scholtzbos | FP | W |
| Pteronia paniculata (cf.) |
Gombossie | DVV | R |
| Pteronia scariosa |
DVV | R | |
| Pteronia spp. |
P | R | |
| Pteronia villosa |
DVV | R | |
| Pteronia viscosa |
Gombos | DVV | R |
| Rosenia oppositifolia |
DVV | R | |
| Salsola aphylla |
Loog-asganna | FP | C |
| Salsola contrariifolia |
FP | C | |
| Salsola cryptoptera |
DVV | R | |
| Salsola dealata |
Ganna | FP | C |
| Salsola glabrescens |
Rivierganna | P | C |
| Salsola kali |
Rolbos | ||
| Salsola nigrescens |
P | R | |
| Salsola sp. | P | C | |
| Salsola tuberculata | Blomkoolganna | DVV | C |
| Salvia disermas |
Grootsalie | FP | R |
| Selago albida |
Berg-aar | DVV | R |
| Sericocoma avolans |
DVV | R | |
| Stachys aurea |
Geelteebossie | DVV | R |
| Stachys rugosa |
Kattekruie | DVV | C |
| Sutherlandia microphylla |
Kankerbos | FP | R |
| Tetragonia echinata |
DVV | W | |
| Tetragonia fruticosa |
Kleinsaadklappiesbrak | DVV | W |
| Thesium lineatum |
Witstorm | FP | C |
| Trichodesma africanum |
DVV | R | |
| Tripterus oppositifolia | Stinkskaapbos | FP | C |
| Tripteris sinuatum | P | C | |
| Zygophyllum lichtensteinianum | Skilpadbos | DVV | R |
| Zygophyllum meyeri |
Slymbos | DVV | R |
| Zygophyllum microcarpum | Ouooibos | P | C |
| Zygophyllum microphyllum P C |
P | C | |
| Zygophyllum morgsana |
DVV | R | |
| Zygophyllum retrofractum |
Hondepisbos | DVV | R |
| Zygophyllum sp. | DVV | F | |
| Succulents | |||
| Aridaria noctiflora |
Brakveldwitvygie | FP | C |
| Aridaria splendens |
Donkievy | DVV | R |
| Aridaria spp. | DVV | C | |
| Augea capensis | Kinderpiel | P | W |
| Brownanthus ciliatus |
Not listed | DVV | R |
| Cephalophyllum namaquanum | Namakwavygie | DVV | R |
| Cheiridopsis acuminata |
DVV | R | |
| Codon royenii |
DVV | R | |
| Crassula barbata subsp. Barbata | DVV | R | |
| Crassula deltoidea |
Kata-kisu | DVV | R |
| Crassula muscosa | Skoenveterbos | DVV | R |
| Crassula subaphylla |
Louhout | DVV | R |
| Crassula umbella |
DVV | R | |
| Cyrtanthus herrei | Vuurlelie | ||
| Drosanthemum archeri |
FP | R | |
| Drosanthemum eburneum |
FP | R | |
| Drosanthemum hispidum |
Bergvygie | FP | C |
| Drosanthemum liqui |
DVV | R | |
| Drosanthemum sp. |
P | R | |
| Drosanthemum spp. |
DVV | R | |
| Drosanthemum subcompressum | DVV | C | |
| Drosanthemum wittenbergense |
FP | C | |
| Drosanthemum wittenbergensis |
FP | R | |
| Euphorbia decussata |
DVV | W | |
| Euphorbia hamata |
Olifantsmelkbos | DVV | W |
| Euphorbia mauritanicum | Gifmelkbos | DVV | R |
| Euphorbia restituta |
DVV | R | |
| Haworthia arachnoidea |
Spinnekopbolletjie | DVV | R |
| Hereroa fimbriata |
DVV | R | |
| Hoodia bainii |
Bitterghaap | P | R |
| Lampranthus diffusus |
DVV | C | |
| Leipoldtia constricta |
DVV | R | |
| Leipoldtia schultzei | Kussingvygie | DVV | R |
| Leipoldtia spp. | DVV | R | |
| Malephora luteola |
FP | C | |
| Mesembryanthemum pachypus |
DVV | R | |
| Mesembryanthemum sp. |
FP | R | |
| Othonna arbuscula |
DVV | R | |
| Pelargonium crithmifolium |
Dikbasmalva | DVV | R |
| Phyllobolus spp. | FP | C | |
| Psilocaulon absimile |
Asbos | FP | C |
| Psilocaulon pageae |
FP | C | |
| Psilocaulon sp. | FP | R | |
| Psilocaulon spp. | FP | R | |
| Psilocaulon utile |
Loogbos | DVV | R |
| Ruschia cf. herrei |
DVV | R | |
| Ruschia cf. karooica |
DVV | R | |
| Ruschia robusta |
DVV | R | |
| Ruschia spinosa |
P | C | |
| Ruschia spp. |
P | C | |
| Ruschia wittenbergensis |
DVV | R | |
| Sarcocaulon crassicaule |
DVV | R | |
| Sarcocaulon salmoniflorum |
DVV | R | |
| Sceletium emarcidium | Kanna (Kougoed) | DVV | R |
| Stapelia spp. |
DVV | R | |
| Tylecodon reticularis |
DVV | R | |
| Tylecodon wallichii | Krimpsiektebos | DVV | R |
| Zygophyllum sp. | DVV | R | |
| Grass species | |||
| Bromus pectinatus | Japanese brome | DVV | R |
| Cenchrus cilliaris | Bloubuffelgras | DVV | R |
| Cladoraphis spinosa | Spiny lovegrass | FP | C |
| Enneapogon scaber | Rock nine-awned grass | FP | R |
| Enneapogon scabra | DVV | R | |
| Fingerhutia africana | Vingerhoedgras | DVV | R |
| Karoochloa purpurea | DVV | R | |
| Stipagrostis cilliata | Langbeenboesmangras | P | C |
| Stipagrostis namaquensis | Steekkweek | FP | C |
| Stipagrostis obtusa Fyntwa | Kortbeenboesmangras | P | C |
| Annuals in park | |||
| Amellus tridactylus |
FP | R | |
| Arctotis hirsuta |
FP | R | |
| Atriplex lindleyi ssp. inflata |
Blasiebrak | P | C |
| Euryops annuus | Wildeharpuisbos | P | W |
| Felicia lasiocarpa | DVV | R | |
| Galenia crystallina | DVV | W | |
| Galenia sarcophylla |
Vanwyksbrak | FP | R |
| Gazania crystallina |
DVV | R | |
| Gazania lichtensteinii | Botterblom | P | C |
| Hebenstretia parviflora | Skraalslakblom | DVV | |
| Heliophila deserticola | DVV | R | |
| Heliophila digitata | DVV | ||
| Heliophila herniarioides | DVV | R | |
| Lasiospermum brachyglossum |
DVV | R | |
| Lessertia annularis | FP | R | |
| Lotononis falcatus | DVV | R | |
| Lotonis pungens | FP | R | |
| Mesembryanthemum crystallinum | Brakvy | FP | R |
| Mesembryanthemum cf.stenandrum | FP | R | |
| Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum |
DVV | ||
| Nemesia karroensis | DVV | ||
| Nemesia ligula | DVV | ||
| Nemesia spp. | DVV | R | |
| Oncosiphon grandiflorum | FP | R | |
| Osteospermum pinnatum | Jakkalsbos | P | R |
| Oxalis namaquensis | DVV | C | |
| Oxalis pes-caprae |
Geelsuring | DVV | |
| Oxalis sp. |
DVV | ||
| Pentzia pilulifera |
DVV | R | |
| Senecio arenarius |
Hongerblom | DVV | R |
| Senecio ardaminifolius |
DVV | ||
| Sutera tristis |
DVV | ||
| Trichodesma africanum |
P | C | |
| Ursinia nana |
Kleinbergmagriet | DVV | |
| Zaluzianskya bella |
DVV | ||
| Zaluzianskya mirabilis | FP | R | |
| Zaluzianskya villosa | DVV | ||
| Zygophyllum retrofractum | Hondepisbos | DVV | R |
| Wahlenbergia arenaria | DVV | R | |
| Geophytes in park | |||
| Albuca cooperi |
Geldbeursie | DVV | W |
| Albuca sp. | DVV | R | |
| Androcymbium capense |
DVV | R | |
| Bulbine alooides |
Aalwynkopieva | DVV | W |
| Cyanella hyacinthoides | Blouraaptol | DVV | R |
| Dipcadi brevifolium | DVV | R | |
| Gethyllis cf.verticillata |
Fraaikukumakranka | DVV | W |
| Lachenalia mutabilis |
Bontviooltjie | DVV | R |
| Lachenalia anguinea |
DVV | R | |
| Lapeirousia arenicola |
DVV | W | |
| Lapeirousa pyramidalis |
DVV | W | |
| Moraea speciosa |
DVV | W | |
| Ornithogalum apertum |
DVV | W | |
| Ornithogalum xanthochlorum |
FP | R | |
| Herbs | |||
Berula erecta |
DVV | R | |
| Othonna amplexifolia |
DVV | R | |
| Othonna protecta | DVV | R |
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