Karoo National Park 4x4 routes closed after heavy rainfall

Karoo National Park has temporarily closed its popular 4x4 routes following recent rainfall that caused significant damage to sections of the rugged off-road tracks. According to South African National Parks (SANParks), the closures will remain in place until essential repairs and maintenance work have been completed.

Rain damage forces temporary closure

Heavy rain across parts of the Great Karoo has left several off-road routes in Karoo National Park badly affected. Floodwater, erosion, and muddy conditions have damaged sections of the trails, making them unsafe for vehicles.

As a result, SANParks management has decided to temporarily close the 4x4 routes to prevent further deterioration and to ensure the safety of visitors. Karoo National Park management has confirmed that maintenance teams will begin repair work as soon as conditions allow.

Visitors planning to explore the park’s off-road trails are therefore advised to check the latest updates before arrival, as reopening will depend on weather conditions and the progress of repairs.

About the 4x4 routes in Karoo National Park

Karoo National Park is home to several scenic and challenging 4x4 routes that allow visitors to explore the rugged landscapes of the Nuweveld Mountains and remote areas of the park. These trails are designed for high-clearance vehicles and can become difficult or impassable after rainfall.

Key routes include:

• Nuweveld 4x4 Trail (±90 km) – The park’s longest and most remote route, crossing the Nuweveld Mountains and offering access to spectacular viewpoints and the remote Embizweni Cottage.
• Afsaal Trail (±13 km) – A shorter scenic route branching off the Nuweveld drive with impressive mountain views.
• Kookfontein Loop (±7 km) – A rocky loop extension with dry river crossings and classic Karoo terrain.
• Sandrivier Loop (±7 km) – A route through semi-desert plains and dry riverine landscapes typical of the Karoo ecosystem.
• Klipplaatsfontein Route – A connecting trail across the park’s plateau, requiring a permit issued at reception.
• Pienaars Pass (±6 km) – One of the most technical and challenging routes in the park, climbing steeply onto the middle plateau and recommended only for experienced 4x4 drivers.

These trails are a highlight for adventurous travellers visiting Karoo National Park, providing access to remote areas where wildlife such as gemsbok, kudu, and Cape mountain zebra can often be spotted.

SANParks will announce once the repair work has been completed and the 4x4 routes are safe to reopen.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

Karoo National Park: All 4x4 trails temporarily closed! [update]

update (05 May 2025): The 4x4 trails in Karoo National Park have been re-opened. However, some sections have been damaged, particularly the low water bridges. SANParks requests that guests be extra vigilant when crossing these.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the temporary closure of all 4x4 trails in Karoo National Park due to recent heavy rainfall. This decision has been made to prioritize visitor safety and preserve the condition of the off-road routes. Park management appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation during this time.

The affected 4x4 routes include:

• Nuweveld Trail (90km)
• Afsaal Trail (13km)
• Kookfontein Loop (7km)
• Sandrivier Loop (7km)
• Klipplaatsfontein Trail
• Pienaars Pass Trail (6km)

These six trails offer a unique way to experience the rugged beauty of the Karoo landscape, but will remain closed until conditions improve and they are deemed safe for travel.

Situated just outside Beaufort West in South Africa’s Western Cape, Karoo National Park spans approximately 767 km² and forms part of the vast Great Karoo. The park is renowned for its dramatic semi-arid scenery, unique wildlife, and exceptional biodiversity.
Visitors can spot a variety of species, including Cape mountain zebra, Black rhino, Eland, red hartebeest, and springbok, lions and brown hyenas, nocturnal species such as the aardvark
Birdwatchers will enjoy sightings of Verreaux’s eagle, Karoo korhaan, and numerous other bird species. The vegetation is dominated by succulents, acacias, and other drought-resistant plants typical of the region.

Karoo National Park offers a wide range of visitor amenities and outdoor activities, including:

• Self-catering chalets, cottages, and a camping site
• Scenic drives, hiking trails, and 4x4 routes
• Interpretive centers and viewpoints ideal for photography and wildlife observation

While the 4x4 trails are temporarily inaccessible, Karoo National Park remains open to the public with plenty of other opportunities to explore and enjoy the natural surroundings.

South Africa: Renovations underway at Karoo National Park cottages! [update]

update (26 March 2025): SANParks just announed that the renovations have been completed this morning. More renovations are set to follow!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that renovations have begun on several cottages in Karoo National Park as part of ongoing maintenance efforts. To speed up the process, work will be carried out on two units at a time, with the project expected to be completed in approximately five weeks. We'll keep you posted!

Located near Beaufort West in the Western Cape, Karoo National Park spans approximately 767 km² and showcases the vast, semi-arid beauty of the Great Karoo. The park is home to diverse fauna, including black rhinos, Cape mountain zebras, eland, red hartebeest, and the elusive aardvark, as well as predators like lions and brown hyenas. Birdlife is abundant, with species such as Verreaux’s eagle and the Karoo korhaan. The floral landscape is dominated by hardy, drought-resistant plants like succulents and acacia trees.´
For visitors, Karoo National Park offers a range of accommodation, including self-catering chalets, cottages, and a campsite. Scenic drives, hiking trails, and 4x4 routes provide opportunities to explore the rugged terrain, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
 

South Africa’s National Parks are growing!

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) South Africa has announced that four of South Africa’s National Parks have increased in size. The expansion comes with a declaration on 02 February 2024 which incorporates an additional 20 206 hectares of land into Namaqua National Park, Mokala National Park, Karoo National Park and Agulhas National Park.
The largest of these expansions was for the Namaqua National Park in the Western Cape which has grown by 18 391 hectares. The size Mokala National Park in the Northern Cape was increased by 844 hectares, Karoo National Park in the Western Cape grew by 397 hectares and Agulhas National Park, also located in the Western Cape, was expanded by 574 hectares.
The expansion of the four National Parks was made possible through the work of the National Parks Trust of South Africa (NPTSA) and WWF South Africa. The NPTSA, which is managed by WWF South Africa, helps South African National Parks (SANParks) to acquire land to expand South Africa’s National Parks to meet conservation targets and create spaces where our country’s unique fauna and flora can thrive.

The expansion of Namaqua National Park covers an array of threatened veld types and will help to protect rare, threatened and endemic plant species, among them the iconic kokerboom (or quiver tree). In addition, it encompasses a 6km section of a 41km stretch of the Buffels River and the upper catchment of the Swartlintjies river system, both of which are important for the overall ecological functioning of the park.
Mokala National Park provides grazing for a range of rare antelope (such as sable and roan) and other species, including disease-free buffalo. Its expansion includes Northern Upper Karoo vegetation of which less than 1 percent is under formal protection.
Karoo National Park is home to Cape mountain zebras, 20 pairs of breeding Verreaux’s eagles, 864 species of plants and has the highest density of tortoises in the world (five species), while the Agulhas National Park encompasses the southernmost tip of the African continent and features threatened habitats of the Cape Floristic Region on the surrounding Agulhas plain.

Karoo National Park: Old Schuur Interpretive Centre currenly closed until further notice! [update]

update (28 March 2024): The Old Schuur Interpretive Centre in the Karoo National Park is open again!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has informed the public that Old Schuur Interpretive Centre in the Karoo National Park is closed until further notice due to an electrical fault. SANParks will have the problem attended to on Monday, 25 March 2024.
The Old Schuur Interpretive Centre is set in an old farm building, renovated to reflect its original form and dates back to the 1800’s. Positioned just outside the Karoo Rest Camp near the camping site, the centre is accessible via a beautiful wooden boardwalk. It offers historical displays and information on the flora and fauna of the Karoo, as well as the ecological and cultural history of the Karoo National Park.

Karoo National Park: Game capture operations to be conducted throughout this week!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that game capture operations will be conducted throughout the Karoo National Park this week. For safety reasons SANParks requests that guests please steer well clear of official vehicles and areas where work is taking place during this time.
The Karoo National Park covers an area of 750 km² and is located the Great Karoo area of the Western Cape near Beaufort West. Because of the sparse vegetation, game viewing in the  National Park is easily facilitated. Some of the best viewing is achieved on the 13km Lammertjiesleegte route on the plains. The Karoo National Park is home to ostriches, red hartebeest, gemsbok, eland, Cape mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, klipspringer, black rhino, bat-eared foxes, black-backed jackals as well as lions.

South African National Parks: Karoo National Park goes cash free!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that Karoo National Park in South Africa's Western Cape will be going cash free. It is one of a handful of National Parks in the country which is implementing this approach during a second phase after the initial roll-out to others in September 2021. Effective 01 June 2023,  cash will no longer be accepted as a method of payment in Karoo National Park. Instead, visitors are urged to make use of the speed point payment systems. All trade and tourism activities, such as entrance/conservation fees, activity fees and accommodation fees, will be cash free and therefore cash will not be accepted. However, the independently owned and run shop and restaurant in the Karoo National Park  will continue to take cash as a form of payment.

Karoo National Park: Embizweni Cottage temporarily closed! [update #4]

update (17 April 2023): SANParks just informed us that the Embizweni Cottage in the Karoo National Park in South Africa's Western Cape is once again functional and open for bookings.

update (28 February 2023): SANParks just informed us, that the Embizweni Cottage in the Karoo National Park is still closed.

update (16 February 2023): SANParks just informed us, that the Embizweni Cottage in the Karoo National Park is still closed. The maintenance team is "working hard to get it back on the system". We'll keep you posted!

update (01 February 2023): According to SANParks, the Embizweni Cottage in the Karoo National Park remains closed. The National Park's maintenance team is still trying to get to the bottom of a couple of technical issues. We'll keep you posted!

South African National Parks (SANParks) just announced that the Embizweni Cottage in the Karoo National Park in South Africa's Western Cape will be closed until further notice. This is due to some technical issues. According to SANParks, guests with existing bookings will be contacted directly and alternate arrangements will be made with them.
The Embezweni Cottage is situated 45 km from Karoo National Park's main rest camp, along the Nuweveld 4x4 trail. The cottage, which can sleep up to seven people, consists of two bedrooms - one bedroom with a double bed and the other with a double bed and single sleeper couch. Another double bunk bed is provided in the lounge. The house also offers a bathroom (bath and shower) and lounge/living area with a lovely verandah with a built-in braai, which overlooks a waterhole.

Karoo National Park: Bulkraal picnic site temporarily closed! [update]

update (07 October 2022): SANParks just announced that the Bulkraal picnic site and swimming pool in the Karoo National Park in South Africa's Western Cape have reopened after some much-needed maintenance.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Bulkraal picnic site in the Karoo National Park in South Africa's Western Cape will be closed as form today (19 September 2022) for up to two weeks as major maintenance needs to be conducted on the swimming pool and the buildings get painted.
Situated off the Lammerjiesleegte loop in the eastern part of the Karoo National Park, Bulkraal is a lovely picnic spot that features numerous braai sites and a swimming pool. Ablution facilities are also provided.

Karoo National Park: The Pienaars Pass 4x4 eco-trail has been re-opened!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Pienaars Pass 4x4 eco-trail in the Karoo National Park has been re-opened after the completion of necessary maintenance. The 6km eco-trail, which was closed since the heavy rains in late 2020, takes visitors to the middle plateau of the National Park. A full 4x4 vehicle with low range is needed to complete the trail. It is not recommended for beginners.
The Pienaars Pass 4x4 eco-trail, which was the first of its kind established in SANParks, is one of four 4x4 trails in the Karoo National Park. The eco-trail is accessible after checking in at the National Park's reception and paying a R318.50 per vehicle fee.

Karoo National Park currently unable to offer guided hikes! [update]

update (12 August 2019): Karoo National Park is still unable to offer guided hikes.

Due to a number of unforeseen circumstances, Karoo National Park is currently unable to offer guided hikes. All other activities, such as guided game drives, are still available as usual, though. We'll keep you posted!
Hikes through Karoo National Park are led by a qualified guides who introduce participants to the fascinating Karoo ecosystems. They depart from the National Park's reception at 06:00 during summer and 07:00 during winter. Guided hikes cost R233 per person and are to be booked at the Karoo National Park's reception before 19:00 the day prior to the intended hike, to ensure the availability of a guide.

Karoo National Park: Bulkraal Picnic Site temporarily closed until further notice! [update]

update (14 June 2019): The Bulkraal Picnic Site has been re-opened in April.

The Bulkraal Picnic Site in the Karoo National Park is temporarily closed until further notice. According to South African National Parks (SANParks), the popular spot is closed due to the water crisis in Beaufort West, and also due to a water pipe that needs to be repaired. Situated off the Lammerjiesleegte loop in the eastern part of the Karoo National Park, Bulkraal is a lovely picnic spot that features numerous braai sites and a swimming pool. Ablution facilities are also provided. Beaufort West, known as the "Capital of the Karoo", is located next door to the Karoo National Park.

Karoo National Park: The camp site's communal facilities are getting an upgrade!

South African National Park (SANParks) has started upgrading several buildings of the camp site in Karoo National Park on 05 September 2018. The renovation work, which will be stopped during long weekends and school holidays, includes the communal female and male ablutions as well as the communal laundry and kitchen buildings. The upgrade is expected to finished by mid-November 2018.



Karoo National Park's camp site offers 24 pitches, which are all equipped with 220V power points. A maximum of six persons, one caravan with a side tent and one vehicle, or one tent and one vehicle, or one auto villa or one motorised caravan are be permitted per site. Karoo National Park covers about 750km² and is located near the town of Beaufort West in the Great Karoo area of South Africa's Western Cape.

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.

Escapee Sylvester a step closer to become the King of Addo!

update (24 Jan 2017): Sylvester, South Africa's most talked about lion, his coalition partner, the younger male he has been bonding with in the boma since May 2016 and in the 200 hectares enclosure since November 2016, as well as the two lionesses the two lions had been in the enclosure with, have been succesfully released into the Kuzuko contractual area (15000 hectares) in Addo Elephant National Park'.

South Africa's most famous lion was moved out of the holding boma in Addo Elephant National Park's Kuzuko contractual area into a larger 200ha enclosure. The lion, nicknamed "Sylvester", got relocated into the boma from Karoo National Park at the end of May 2016.
Sylvester and his coalition partner, the younger male he's been bonding with in the boma since May 2016, joined up with the two females on the enclosure. According to South African National Parks (SANParks) spokesperson Fayroush Ludick, the decision to let the two male lions out was based on Addo Elephant National Park management's opinion that the two had settled and bonded sufficiently in order to start a new coalition and lead Kuzuko's pride in future. Addo Elephant National Park's management will monitor the situation over the next days and weeks, paying particular attention to their social interaction, before making a decision about when to release the four lions into the entire 15 000 hectares of Kuzuko.
Sylvester gained popularity when he first escaped from Karoo National Park in June 2015, and managed to evade capture for over three weeks. He was then fitted with a combination satellite/VHF collar to find his location should he manage to get out again. This collar then alerted authorities on 28 March 2016 that the lion had once again left the park's boundary, and played a big role in tracking him and returning him back to the park much quicker – three days later on 31 March 2016.

South Africa: Sylvester, the lion, will be relocated to Addo Elephant National Park! (April 2016) >>

Karoo National Park: Swimming pool at the Bulkraal Picnic Site is currently closed!

The swimming pool at the Bulkraal Picnic Site in the Karoo National Park in the Western Cape is closed for at least 14 days (as of 10 Oct 2016) due to urgent renovations. We'll keep you posted!

Card
The Bulkraal Picnic Site is located in the eastern part of the Karoo National Park. The facilities at the site include the currently closed swimming pool, as well as a braai area and ablution facilities (cold shower).

South Africa: Sylvester, the lion, will be relocated to Addo Elephant National Park!

update (30 May 2016): Sylvester was successfully relocated from Karoo National Park just outside Beaufort West to Addo Elephant National Park's Kuzuko contractual area about two hours outside Port Elizabeth.  He’ll be calling a boma within an existing 200ha enclosure (which houses two nearly two-year-old lionesses) home for the next few months. The hope is that over time, the three will bond and form their own pride, led by Sylvester.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that Sylvester, the lion which escaped from Karoo National Park at the end of March 2016, will be relocated to Addo Elephant National Park. The young lion (3 years) will be moved into a boma within an existing 200ha enclosure in the Kuzuko contractual section of Addo for him to become bonded with the two (2) young females who are currently in the enclosure. The lions will then be released into Addo Elephant National Park to be free-ranging. The fence between the Kuzuko contractual section and the neighbouring Darlington section of the park is due to be dropped soon which will then provide the three lions with 60 000ha over which to roam.

South Africa: Two lions translocated from Marakele National Park to Karoo National Park

South African National Parks (SANParks) has translocated two lions from Marakele National Park in Limpopo to Karoo National Park in the Western Cape as part of its approach to managing lions in small parks. The two lions, a male and a female, are both four years old. They will join "Slyvester" (three years old), the lion who escaped from the Karoo National Park for 24 days in June 2015, in the holding boma he's been kept in since his recapture. SANParks hopes that while the three lions are in the boma, they'll bond and form their own pride before their release into the Park. The lion population of the Karoo National Park currently stands at 11 lions, while Marakele National Park currently has 24 resident lions including cubs.

Video: The Karoo National Park (South Africa)

Have you ever thought about visiting the Karoo National Park, but you have never been there? Well, the following video has some very good reasons to visit South Africa's largest ecosystem:

The Karoo National Park is located in the Karoo area of the Western Cape, about 12km from Beaufort West. Cape Town is about 500km south along the N1, while Johannesburg is situated about 1 000km north of the Park.
The 400m Fossil Trail starts about 200m from the main camp of the Karoo National Park. Along the trail, which was put together by South African National Parks (SANParks) and experts from the Wits University in Johannesburg, you'll find a good selction of the over 26,000 fossils that have been found in the Karoo Basin, as well as information boards showcasing the geological history of the area.

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.