Camdeboo National Park

Activities & Facilities

Activities

Valley of Desolation

With an estimated 60 to 100 000 people who visit this site each year, the Valley of Desolation is a premier tourist attraction.

The Valley of Desolation was declared as a National Monument of geological and scenic significance by proclamation 2 116 of the Government Gazette dated 22 December 1939.

The original road to the Valley of Desolation was constructed by labourers using picks, shovels and barrows. The road to the top of the valley was tarred in 1978 and today provides tourists with easy access to the viewpoints with their panoramic views of the landscape.

To the north, the highest peak in the Sneeuberg mountain range – Compassberg (2 504m) - is prominent, while on a clear day, the southern horizon stretches as far as the distant Cockscomb Mountains. To the east lies the 'Driekoppie' (in the park) and the Nardausberg (beyond the park boundaries), both of which are often covered in snow during winter. The Plains of Camdeboo lie spread out south of the Sneeuberg from Pearston to Murraysburg. The viewpoints at the valley itself provide a breathtaking view of piled dolerites columns against the backdrop of the plain of the Great Karoo and a timeless sense of wonder at a landscape said to be the product of the erosive and volcanic forces of nature over a period of 200 million years.

Visitors may learn more about the reserve through information displays at parking areas or viewpoints. The Valley of Desolation, sometimes referred to as the 'Cathedral of the Mountains' provides for many visitors an experience ranging from 'spiritual contact' to one of profound awareness of the environment.

Game Viewing

Presently, approximately 19km of gravel roadways provide visitors with the opportunity to view the entire range of indigenous species in their preferred habitats. Through the Poverty Relief Programme, the game viewing road network will be extended and improved.

Impunzi picnic area has four sites suitable for family outings. Each site is provided with a 'braai' stand, picnic table and refuse drum. Water is available and the picnic area is provided with a 'long drop' toilet.

Watersports

The Nqweba Dam, which covers over 1 000 hectares, provides cool relief during hot summer days and a base for a variety of water activities. Boating, canoeing, fishing and windsurfing are allowed on the dam. See watersports tariffs.

Nqweba Dam attracts a wide variety of birds as well as wildlife such as buffalo, gemsbok, springbok and black wildebeest which come to drink from the waters. Fish species which occur in the dam include moggel (Labeo umbratus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), mullet (Mugil cephalus), round herring (Gilchristella aestuaria), mosquitofish (Gambusia affinus) and river goby (Glossogobius callidus).

Trails and walks

The Crag Lizard Trail (45 minutes) starts at the Valley parking area and extends for about 1.5 km via the Valley viewpoints. It is marked with the Crag Lizard logo.

The Eerstefontein Day Walk starts and ends at the Spandaukop gate. There are three route options of 5km; 11km and 14km with good rest spots at Eerstefontein and Agtersfontein.

The Driekoppe Trail is an overnight trail in the mountains of the Eastern section of the park. The Waaihoek Trail Hut may be booked for up to two consecutive nights and accommodates 8 people.

Community Levy

Facilities

Picnic Areas

Camdeboo National Park has six picnic areas with braai and ablution facilities:

• Impunzi picnic area in the Game Viewing Area has 4 sites.
• Ribbokberg picnic area on the way to Valley of Desolation has 4 sites.
• Mountain Drive picnic area has 7 widely-spaced sites in the Mountain Drive area.
• Babergat picnic area has 2 sites adjacent to the Nqweba Dam wall.
• Piekniekbos picnic area has 12 sites on the western shore of the Nqweba Dam
• The Boat Club picnic area has 4 sites (for exclusive use of boat club members).

Facilities such as fuel stations, ATMs, banks, shops and restaurants are available in the nearby town of Graaff-Reinet. Camdeboo National Park surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinet. For more information on Graaff-Reinet, contact the Tourism Office on info@graaffreinet.co.za or tel: +27(0)49 892 4248.

Camdeboo Environmental Education Centre

The centre and staff offer programmes to any formal group to promote awareness of and sensitivity towards the natural environment. Courses are tailored to meet visitors' needs up to a maximum of 40 people and may extend from one to four days. A nominal tariff is payable. This centre may also be booked for a team building or conference purpose.