Karoo National Park

The Karoo National Park is one of the best birding spots in the karoo. It has a bird list of 204 species including many karoo specials, a wide range of habitats and beautiful scenery. The park is over 85 000 hectares in extent, of which approximately one quarter is presently accessible to the public. A stay of at least two days is recommended, and in summer a bird list of 100 is possible.
 
Specials
Typical karoo specials include Ludwig's Bustard, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Short-toed Rock-Thrush, Verreauxs' Eagle, Black Stork, Booted Eagle (summer), Common Swift (summer), Tractrac Chat, Sickle-winged Chat, Karoo Long-billed Lark, Layard's Tit-Babbler, Karoo Eremomela, Rufous-eared Warbler, Chat Flycatcher, and African Rock Pipit.
 
Habitats
Flat karooveld and riverine bushes, cliffs and mountainous areas.
 
Facilities
Include a good network of roads, a bird hide, self-guided trails, 4 x 4 drive, night drives, accommodation and caravan park.
 
Birding
Maps, bird lists and directions are available at the reception. Bookings can also be made night drives.
 
1. Lammertjiesleegte circular drive (13 km and approx. 2 - 3 hours) is best in the early morning or late afternoon. Birds include typical karoo specials - Ludwig's Bustard, Karoo Korhaan, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Namaqua Dove, European Bee-eater (summer) Karoo Long-billed Lark, Karoo Lark, Spike-heeled Lark, Grey-backed Sparrowlark, Black-eared Sparrowlark (nomadic after rains), Tractrac Chat, Sickle-winged Chat, Karoo Chat, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Rufous-eared Warbler, Chat Flycatcher, Dusky Sunbird and Lark-like Bunting.
 
2. Klipspringer Pass Drive (12 km and approx. 1½ - 2 hours) is best for Black-headed Canary, Verreauxs' Eagle, Steppe Buzzard (summer), African Harrier-Hawk, Rock Kestrel, White-necked Raven, Short-toed Rock-Thrush, Layard's Tit-Babbler, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Grey-backed Cisticola, African Rock Pipit, Grey Tit, Ground Woodpecker, Alpine Swift, Grey-winged Francolin and Long-billed Pipit.
 
3. The Bird Hide at the little dam near the rest camp produces Lesser Swamp-Warbler, African Reed-Warbler (summer), Greater Striped Swallow, Fairy Flycatcher, South African Shelduck, Red-knobbed Coot, Purple Heron (occasionally), Southern Red Bishop, Common Moorhen, Little Bittern. (½ - 1 hour).
 
4. The Caravan Park hosts Southern Tchagra, Acacia Pied Barbet, Bokmakierie, Fairy Flycatcher, Cardinal Woodpecker, Fiscal Flycatcher, Karoo Scrub-Robin, Spotted Eagle-Owl (at night), African Reed-Warbler (summer), Dusky Sunbird and Namaqua Warbler. (1 hour)
 
5. The Fossil and Bossie trails are short walks near the rest camp with interesting fossils and identified karoo shrubs. Look out for Karoo Long-billed Lark, Mountain Wheatear, African Rock Pipit, Short-toed Rock-Thrush, Bokmakierie and Grey-backed Cisticola. (1 hour).
 
6. Fonteintjieskloof Walk (self guided, 10 km, and 3 - 4 hours) is best in the early morning. It runs along a dry stream with riverine thicket, and climbs the slopes of the Nuweveld mountains. Birds include Verreauxs' Eagle, Pririt Batis, Dusky Sunbird, Lesser Honeyguide, White-throated Canary Bar-throated Apalis, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Fairy Flycatcher, Long-billed Crombec, Willow Warbler (summer), African Harrier-Hawk, Diderick Cuckoo and Jacobin Cuckoo (summer) and in the foothills Long-billed Pipit, African Rock Pipit, Ground Woodpecker and Cinnamon-breasted Warbler.
 
7. Night Drives yield Spotted Eagle-Owl and Rufous-cheeked Nightjar (summer) as well as nocturnal animals. (2 hours).
 
8. 4 x 4 Trails (80 km and almost full day) using your own 4 x 4 or park vehicle - takes you across the mountains and down on the flats. In the mountainous areas African Rock Pipit is plentiful, while Black Stork, Jackal Buzzard, Ground Woodpecker and Layard's Tit-Babbler also occur. The upper part of the park supports Martial Eagle, Verreauxs' Eagle, African Black Swift, Cape Eagle-Owl and Grey-winged Francolin. Look for Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk in and around the alien poplar trees. On the flats are Karoo Korhaan, Kori Bustard, Ludwig's Bustard, European Bee-eater (summer), Karoo Long-billed Lark, Karoo Lark, Spike-heeled Lark, Large-billed Lark, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Namaqua Dove, Grey-backed Sparrowlark, Black-eared Sparrowlark, Cape Penduline-Tit, Tractrac Chat, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Karoo Eremomela, Rufous-eared Warbler, Yellow Canary and Black-headed Canary.
 
General
A wide variety of accommodation is available in the park, including comfortable self-catering chalets sleeping from 2 to 6 people, and camping. Camp bookings can be made through the South African National Parks Reservations Office, Tel: +27 12 426 5000 Fax: +27 12 343 0153, email: reservations@sanparks.org or karooreservations@sanparks.org

An entrance fee is payable. Access is signposted from N1 about 5km south of Beaufort West. Access to the non-public area of the park is possible by prior arrangement with the park authorities  Tel +27 23 415 2828/9 Fax +27 023 415 1671 Website: www.sanparks.org

Nearest Town: Beaufort West

Gate opening times: 05h00 - 22h00
 

There is a caravan park and a variety of guest houses in Beaufort West. Good accommodation and birding is also available nearby at Lemoenfontein Game Lodge Tel +27 23 415 2847, Fax +27 23 415 1044 email: lemoen@mweb.co.za and Ko-Ka Tsara Bush Camp Tel: +27 23 416 1666 / +27 415 2753 Fax: +27 23 416 1667  email: info@kokatsara.co.za, and Steenbokkie Nature Reserve Tel: +27 23 415 2536 / +27 23 414 2827, Fax: +27 414 4511 Cell: 082 772 7265.
 
Bird Guide
You can contact Japie Claassen for bird guiding in the park, on the 4x4 trail and in the karoo generally. His contact numbers are 0837247916/ 02082 ask for 2031. E-mail claassen@cybertrade.co.za
 
Japie Claassen 2001