Western Cape: Update on the Cape Region National Parks following the adverse weather conditions!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has released an update on park and trail accessibility in the Cape Region National Parks, namely Bontebok National Park, Tankwa Karoo National Park, and Table Mountain National Park, following adverse weather conditions experienced across the Western Cape in recent days.

Following the closure of Bontebok National Park on 13 July 2024, the National Park has since reopened its doors to day visitors. However, hiking trails remain closed at this time due to saturated trails and/or unsafe trail conditions. Access for overnight visitors is not affected.
Tankwa Karoo National Park has reopened to visitors, as the road from Ceres leading to the National Park is now accessible, following significantly reduced water levels. Routes via Sutherland and Calvinia are improving daily as the snowfall melts and are expected to be fully operational by this week. Caution is advised as some muddy spots remain.
Table Mountain National Park has temporarily closed all tented camp accommodation sites, including the Overseers Cottage, and Peoples Trail hut as several facilities experienced significant damage during the early stages of the cold front.
Temporary trail closures in Table Mountain National Park that remain in place due to rain damage include:

• Silvermine Ou Wapad trail
• Silvermine Riverwalk trail
• Cape Point overnight hiking trail
• Jonkersdam Jeep Track
• The road leading to the Overseers Cottage
• Boardwalk leading to the Slangkop tented camp is submerged in water - exercise caution.
• Sinkhole Booi Se Skerm road - Cape of Good Hope.

SANParks continues to monitor weather conditions closely and has deployed staff to access and repair damaged trails and clear fallen trees. Visitors are urged to exercise caution and avoid closed trails and roads until further notice.

South African National Parks: Annual conservation tariff increase for National Parks in South Africa's Cape Region!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the annual conservation tariff increase for National Parks in South Africa's Cape Region. The annual conservation tariffs for Agulhas National Park, Bontebok National Park, Table Mountain National Park, Tankwa Karoo National Park, and West Coast National Park increased as of 01 November 2023 and will be applicable until 31 October 2024. All funds generated from conservation fees are used with the primary mandate of South African National Parks (SANParks) which is to oversee the conservation of South Africa's biodiversity, landscapes, seascapes and associated heritage assets through a system of National Parks.

Agulhas National Park
The daily conservation fees for South African citizens is set to increase from R52 to R55. Rates for South African children under 12 years old are 50% of the adult price at R27 per child. Children under two enter for free.
Visitors from Southern African Developement Community (SADC) countries will pay R110 from 01 November 2023 whilst those from all other foreign countries may expect to pay R220. The rate for children is always half the price of the adults – at R55 and R110 respectively.

Bontebok National Park
The daily conservation fees for South African citizens is set to increase from R52 to R55. Rates for South African children under 12 years old are 50% of the adult price at R27 per child. Children under two enter for free.
Visitors from SADC countries will pay R85 from 01 November 2023 whilst those from all other foreign countries may expect to pay R169. The rate for children is always half the price of the adults – at R42 and R85 respectively.

Table Mountain National Park
Please see below table of the rate increase for Table Mountain National Park sections consisting of Boulders Penguin Colony, Cape of Good Hope, Newlands, Oudekraal,  Silvermine and the Tokai Picnic and Braai Area, effective 01 November 2023:

click to enlarge

Tankwa Karoo National Park
The daily conservation fees for South African citizens is set to increase from R52 to R55. Rates for South African children under 12 years old are 50% of the adult price at R27 per child. Children under two enter for free.
Visitors from SADC countries will pay R110 from 01 November 2023 whilst those from all other foreign countries may expect to pay R220. The rate for children is always half the price of the adults – at R55 and R110, respectively.

West Coast National Park
The daily conservation fees for South African citizens will increase from R70 to R74. Rates for South African children under 12 years old are 50% of the adult price at R37 per child. Children under two enter for free.
Visitors from SADC countries will pay R116 from 01 November 2023 whilst those from all other foreign countries may also expect to pay R116. The rate for children is always half the price of the adults – at R58 respectively.
Please note that during flower season the entry fees are as follows: The daily conservation fees for South African citizens is set to increase from R104 to R110. Rates for South African children under 12 years old are 50% of the adult price at R55 per child. Children under two enter for free.
Visitors from SADC countries will pay R169 from 01 November 2023 whilst those from all other foreign countries may expect to pay R247. The rate for children is always half the price of the adults – at R85 and R124, respectively.

South Africa: Annual conservation tariff increase for National Parks in the Cape Region!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the annual conservation tariff increase for National Parks in South Africa's Cape Region. The annual conservation tariffs for Agulhas National Park, Bontebok National Park, Table Mountain National Park, Tankwa Karoo National Park, and West Coast National Park increased as of 01 November 2022 and will be applicable until 31 October 2023. All funds generated from conservation fees are used with the primary mandate of South African National Parks (SANParks) which is to oversee the conservation of South Africa's biodiversity, landscapes, seascapes and associated heritage assets through a system of National Parks.

click to enlarge

South Africa: Annual conservation tariff increase for National Parks in the Cape Region!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the annual tariff increase for Agulhas National Park, Bontebok National Park, Table Mountain National Park, Tankwa Karoo National Park and West Coast National Park as of 01 November 2020. All funds generated from conservation fees are used with the primary mandate of South African National Parks (SANParks) which is to oversee the conservation of South Africa's biodiversity, landscapes, seascapes and associated heritage assets through a system of National Parks.

Agulhas National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2020:

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R192
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R96
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R48
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R24
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R96
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R48 

Bontebok National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2020:

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R140
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R70
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R48
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R24
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R70
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R35

Table Mountain National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2020 - Boulders

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R170
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R85
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R40
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R20
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R85
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R42

Table Mountain National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2020 - Cape of Good Hope

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R340
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R170
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R85
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R40
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R170
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R85
  

Table Mountain National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2020 - Newlands [Additionally: R25 per vehicle]

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R140
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R70
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R35
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R15
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R70
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R35

Table Mountain National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2020 - Oudekral

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R140
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R70
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R35
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R15
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R70
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R35 

Table Mountain National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2020 - Silvermine

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R140
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R70
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R35
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R15
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R70
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R35

Table Mountain National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2020 - Tokai Picnic & Braai area [Additionally: R25 per vehicle]

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R140
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R70
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R35
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R15
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R70
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R35

Tankwa Karoo National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2020:

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R192
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R96
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R48
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R24
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R96
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R48

West Coast National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2020:

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R100
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R50
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R66
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R33
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R100
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R50

West Coast National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2020 (Flower Season August - September):

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R210
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R105
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R94
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R47
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R144
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R72

Please note that the standard rate is automatically applied to all visitors at the gate. To claim/qualify for the local rate, South Africans over 18 years of age must provide Original Proof of South African ID on arrival at the gate. No refunds will be provided after entering through the gate if the SA rate was not claimed and billed for on arrival.

* Children under two years of age enter the park for free.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has released a new destination video showcasing Tankwa Karoo National Park!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has released a new destination video showcasing Tankwa Karoo National Park, which is located on the southern boundary of the Northern Cape. The National Park is bounded on the east by the Roggeveld Escarpment, on the west by the Cederberg, to the north by the Kouebokkeveld Mountains and on the south by the Klein Roggeveld Mountains. Tankwa Karoo National Park's size currently stands at approximately 143 600ha.

Tankwa Karoo National Park is part of the Great Karoo, one of the richest arid areas in the world. The vegetation in the National Park falls within the Succulent Karoo biome, one of only two Southern African regions designated as Biodiversity Hotspots by Conservation International. One is the Cape Floristic Region in the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape, and the other the Succulent Karoo, which stretches along the coastal strip of southwestern Namibia and South Africa's Northern Cape.

Annual conservation tariff increase for National Parks in South Africa's Cape Region!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the annual tariff increase for Agulhas National Park, Bontebok National Park, Table Mountain National Park, Tankwa Karoo National Park and West Coast National Park as of 1 November 2019. All funds generated from conservation fees are used with the primary mandate of South African National Parks (SANParks) which is to oversee the conservation of South Africa's biodiversity, landscapes, seascapes and associated heritage assets through a system of National Parks.

Agulhas National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2019:

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R184
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R92
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R46
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R23
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R92
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R46

Bontebok National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2019:

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R132
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R61
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R46
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R23
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R66
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R33

Table Mountain National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2019:

Please see below table of the rate increase for Table Mountain National Park sections consisting of Boulders Penguin Colony; Cape of Good Hope; Newlands; Oudekraal; Perdekloof; Silvermine and the Tokai Picnic and Braai Area:

-- click to enlarge --
src.: SANParks

Tankwa Karoo National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2019:

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R184
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R92
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R46
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R23
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R92
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R46

West Coast National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2019:

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R96
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R48
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R64
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R32
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R96
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R48

West Coast National Park daily conservation fees as of 01 November 2019 (Flower Season):

• Standard conservation fee - adults: R198
• Standard conservation fee - children under 12 years old*: R94
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - adults: R90
• Citizens of South Africa (with a valid SA identification document) - children under 12 years old*: R45
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - adults: R136
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Nationals (with passport) - children under 12 years old*: R68

Please note that the standard rate is automatically applied to all visitors at the gate. To claim/qualify for the local rate, South Africans over 18 years of age must provide Original Proof of South African ID on arrival at the gate. No refunds will be provided after entering through the gate if the SA rate was not claimed and billed for on arrival.

* Children under two years of age enter the park for free.

Great video footage of AfrikaBurn 2012

South Africa's answer to the famous "Burning Man" festival in the US of A is the annual "AfrikaBurn", an art festival which "aims to create a temporary community based on radical self-expression and self-reliance in a non-commercial environment".
Since the first "AfrikaBurn" in 2007, the festival is held in the hot and dusty plains of a private farm called Stonehenge, which is adjacent to the Tankwa Karoo National Park situated on the southern boundary of the Northern Cape and only about a four-hours drive from Cape Town. AfrikaBurn 2012 took place between 25 April - 30 April 2012. Kudos Andrew Ackerman for the great footage!

Aerial footage of the AfrikaBurn festival 2011

South Africa's answer to the famous "Burning Man" festival in the US is the annual "AfrikaBurn", an art festival which, like the US festival, aims to create a temporary community based on radical self-expression and self-reliance in a non-commercial environment. Word! The festival is taking place in the middle of nowhere - right in the hot and dusty plains of the Tankwa Karoo National Park. Kudos aerocam for the video footage!

Tankwa Karoo National Park: Get 20% accommodation discount

Tankwa National Park is offering a fantastic 20% discount on all their accommodation – book now and discover the wonders of this park! This offer is limited for the period 11 May 2010 until 30 June 2010.


View Tankwa Karoo National Park in a larger map

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. The park is in an easy driving distance from Cape Town (~250km).

accommodation in & around Tankwa Karoo NP >>

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