Camdeboo National Park flooding forces closure of Lakeview Tented Camp and Nqweba Campsite

Travellers planning a stay at Camdeboo National Park should take note of temporary accommodation closures following heavy rainfall in the area.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that the excessive rain has resulted in the temporary closure of both the Lakeview Tented Camp and the Nqweba Campsite within the park.

Guests with existing bookings are being contacted directly by SANParks and are being advised to arrange alternative accommodation in Graaff-Reinet while conditions are assessed and recovery efforts continue.

The closures come as parts of the Eastern Cape continue to experience severe wet weather conditions, with flooding and saturated ground impacting several tourism facilities and access routes across the region.

Travellers heading to the Karoo are advised to monitor official SANParks updates closely, check road conditions before departure, and remain flexible with travel plans as further rain may lead to additional disruptions.

Located near Graaff-Reinet, Camdeboo National Park is best known for the spectacular Valley of Desolation, scenic Karoo landscapes, and popular camping and glamping facilities overlooking the Nqweba Dam.

Visitors with upcoming reservations should contact SANParks directly for rebooking assistance, refunds, or updated travel advice.

 

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Camdeboo National Park: Lakeview Tented Camp closes temporarily for maintenance!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Lakeview Tented Camp in the Camdeboo National Park will be closed from 02 June 2025 to 20 June 2025 to carry out essential maintenance. This temporary closure is part of SANParks' commitment to enhancing visitor experiences and maintaining top-quality facilities in South Africa's treasured national parks.
Located near the picturesque Nqweba Dam within Camdeboo National Park, Lakeview Tented Camp offers four rustic, fully furnished tents. Each cozy tent sleeps two people and includes a braai unit, fridge, table, and chairs. Campers have access to a communal kitchen, along with shared showers and toilets, making it an affordable and authentic way to experience the wild beauty of the Karoo.
Camdeboo National Park itself is a gem of the Eastern Cape, nearly encircling the historic town of Graaff-Reinet. Spanning 194 km², the park is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity. Visitors can spot iconic South African wildlife, from the Bat-eared Fox, Steenbok, and Springbok to larger animals like the Black Wildebeest, Kudu, and the elusive Cape Buffalo and Cape Mountain Zebra.

Camdeboo National Park: Maintenance is taking place at Lakeview Tented Camp!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Lakeview Tented Camp at Camdeboo National Park in South Africa's Eastern Cape is in the process of being refreshed and revamped. The required maintenance will take place throughout the month of July 2024, which is one of the quietest occupancy months of the year.
Lakeview Tented Camp is located near the Nqweba Dam inside the Camdeboo National Park and offers four rustic fully-furnished tents. Each tent sleeps two people and has a braai unit, fridge, table and two chairs. The campsite offers a communal kitchen. Communal showers and toilets are also provided.
Camdeboo National Park is located in the Karoo and almost completely surrounds the town of  Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. The National Park covers an area of 194 km² and is home to a diverse spectrum of South Africa's wildlife, including the Bat-eared Fox, Steenbok, Springbok, Blesbok, Black Wildebeest, Kudu, Grey Duiker as well as the less often seen Cape Buffalo, Red Hartebeest, Gemsbok and Cape Mountain Zebra.

Eastern Cape: Camdeboo National Park temporarily closed to the public!

Camdeboo National Park in South Africa's Eastern Cape has been temporarily closed to the public on 22 July 2020 as a precautionary measure after two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus). South African National Parks (SANParks) expects to reopen the National Park on 25 July 2020 following a deep cleaning exercise.Camdeboo National Park is located in the Karoo and almost completely surrounds the  town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. The National Park covers an area of 194 km² and is home to a diverse spectrum of South Africa's wildlife, including the Bat-eared Fox, Steenbok, Springbok, Blesbok, Black Wildebeest, Kudu, Grey Duiker as well as the less often seen Cape Buffalo, Red Hartebeest, Gemsbok and Cape Mountain Zebra.

South Africa: Annual tariff increase for four National Parks!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the annual tariff increase for Addo Elephant National Park, Camdeboo National Park, Karoo National Park and Mountain Zebra National Park. The entry tariffs for all four National Parks are set to increase on 01 November 2017.

Addo Elephant National Park - new entry fees

• daily conservation fee for adults: R68/person (South African citizens)
• daily conservation fee for childern under 12 years old: R38/person (South African citizens); children under two years old enter for free
• daily conservation fee for adults: R136/person (SADC nationals)
• daily conservation fee for children: R68/person (SADC nationals)
• daily conservation fee for adults: R272/person (international visitors)
• daily conservation fee for children: R136/person (international visitors)
  

Camdeboo National Park - new entry fees

• daily conservation fee for adults: R38/person (South African citizens)
• daily conservation fee for childern under 12 years old: R19/person (South African citizens); children under two years old enter for free
• daily conservation fee for adults: R76/person (SADC nationals)
• daily conservation fee for children: R38person (SADC nationals)
• daily conservation fee for adults: R112/person (international visitors)
• daily conservation fee for children: R56/person (international visitors)

Karoo National Park - new entry fees

• daily conservation fee for adults: R48/person (South African citizens)
• daily conservation fee for childern under 12 years old: R24/person (South African citizens); children under two years old enter for free
• daily conservation fee for adults: R96/person (SADC nationals)
• daily conservation fee for children: R48/person (SADC nationals)
• daily conservation fee for adults: R192/person (international visitors)
• daily conservation fee for children: R96/person (international visitors)

Mountain Zebra National Park - new entry fees

• daily conservation fee for adults: R48/person (South African citizens)
• daily conservation fee for childern under 12 years old: R24/person (South African citizens); children under two years old enter for free
• daily conservation fee for adults: R96/person (SADC nationals)
• daily conservation fee for children: R48/person (SADC nationals)
• daily conservation fee for adults: R192/person (international visitors)
• daily conservation fee for children: R96/person (international visitors)

All funds generated from conservation fees are used with the primary mandate of SANParks which is to oversee the conservation of South Africa's biodiversity, landscapes, seascapes and associated heritage assets through a system of National Parks. Conservation fees are discounted for citizens of South Africa in view of the financially disadvantaged status of the majority of people and the contribution by taxpayers to government funds.

South Africa: Camdeboo National Park to open accommodation facilities

South Africa's Camdeboo National Park, located near Graaff-Reinet and home to the famous Valley of Desolation, will open a campsite on 01 March 2012. The Nqweba Campsite is situated on the floodplains of Nqweba Dam and offers its visitors 14 sites for caravans or tents. Each site has a powerpoint and braai, while a communal kitchen provides a deep freeze, microwave and stove plates.
Camdeboo National Park will also be getting a new tented camp next to the dam. With just four furnished safari tents, the Lakeview Tented Camp will offer seclusion and comfort. The tented camp is due to open on 01 April 2012. Bookings can be made through South Africa National Park's central reservation offices.

Snow & rain: Road closures in Camdeboo, Karoo & Mountain Zebra National Parks

update (26 July 2011): All tourist roads in Mountain Zebra National Park are closed, including the 4x4 Trails and the Kranskop Loop. 

There are important road closures to take note of when travelling to Camdeboo National Park and Karoo National Park [via sanparks.org]

• All the tourist roads in the Karoo National Park are closed today, with the exception of the Lammertjiesleegte Route, due to snowfall. (update 26 July 2011): The Park is currently running on generator power during 18:00 - 22:00 in the evenings.
• The Valley of Desolation and Game Viewing Area in Camdeboo National Park are closed today due to snowfall and heavy rain respectively.

South Africa: Camdeboo National Park’s buffalo numbers reduced

Seventeen buffalo have been captured in Camdeboo National Park to reduce numbers and maintain the condition of the herd.
The buffalo were captured in early May after an aerial census as well as ground counts indicated the population had increased to 75 animals.
In addition, the recent sustained maximum water level in the Nqweba Dam has led to a reduction in the range of wetland grazing, a favoured habitat of the buffalo. This reduction could cause buffalo to extend their normal range in search of food, particularly towards the end of the winter season.

The group of captured buffalo is now being housed in the Park boma's pending the outcome of disease testing, before they can be translocated. Buffalo are tested for a range of diseases including Tuberculosis, Contagious Abortion, Corridor Disease and Foot & Mouth, in order to ensure that these diseases are not spread by animal movement.
If certified disease-free, the buffalo will be transferred to the holding facilities in the Addo Elephant National Park, where they will be sold on the Kirkwood Game Auction, set to take place on 2 July.
Income from the sale of these buffalo, which are originally or descended from the sought-after Addo disease-free stock, is expected to exceed R3.5 million and will benefit the SANParks Development Trust, which is used for the expansion of National Parks across the country. [via sanparks.org]

Camdeboo National Park to develop bushcamp and campsite

South Africa National Parks (SANParks) announced the construction of a bush camp and, in a second phase, the development of ten to twelve camping sites in Camdeboo National Park in the country's Eastern Cape province.


View Cambedoo National Park in a larger map

The development of the bush camp will involve the erection of four to six safari-style tents on fixed wooden decks at the Park’s existing Gannalapa facility. The tents, which will accommodate two people each, will be provisioned with rustic furnishings including beds and bedding. The campsite will be erected in Acacia woodland area adjacent to Gannalapa.
Due to a rising demand from visitors for camping and caravanning facilities SANparks has decided to develope accommodation facilities in the park.

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Mountain Zebra National Park: New gate, new roads and future plans

The Mountain Zebra National Park, near Cradock in the Eastern Cape recently celebrated the opening of their new upgraded entrance gate - now named the Sasol Gate - and the complete renovation of its tourist roads. Around 43km of of existing gravel roads got upgraded and 13.4km of new roads were built, so that visitors can now explore all areas of the Park for wildlife viewing on roads suitable for all vehicle types.

According to Lucius Moolman, South African National Parks (SANParks) Regional Manager, plans to link Mountain Zebra National Park to Camdeboo National Park in Graaff-Reinet to form a mega-conservation area of about 300 000 hectares had now been officially declared by SANParks. These plans envisaged a linkage formed through contractual agreements with private game reserves and landowners, some of whom had already expressed interest in the idea.

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