Where to stay in Karoo National Park
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Overview
Karoo National Park lies at the foot of the Nuweveld Mountains, right next to Beaufort West on the N1 between Johannesburg and Cape Town. It was proclaimed in 1979 to protect a typical section of the Great Karoo, the vast semi-desert that covers much of South Africa’s interior.
The landscape is made of flat plains dotted with low shrubs, flat-topped hills and steep escarpments, with deep layers of rock that hold an extraordinary fossil record. The Fossil Trail near the main camp shows reptile and early mammal-like fossils that are about 250 million years old.
The park makes an excellent stop on the long drive between Gauteng and the Cape, but it’s also worth a few nights in its own right. Visitors can drive the Klipspringer Pass up to the plateau, take guided night drives and walks, and use the 4×4 routes for wide views over the Karoo.
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Mammals
Black rhino, buffalo, Cape mountain zebra, gemsbok, red hartebeest, black wildebeest, springbok and kudu live on the plains and plateau. Lion were reintroduced in 2010, and brown hyena, black-backed jackal, aardwolf and bat-eared fox are present.
Birds and reptiles
Verreaux’s eagles nest on the cliffs, and the park is known for its many tortoise species.
Best Time to Visit
Short answer: March to May and September to November, when days are warm rather than hot.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Mar – May | Autumn | Mild days and cool nights. |
| Jun – Aug | Winter | Cold, clear days and frosty nights. Occasional snow on the escarpment. |
| Sep – Nov | Spring | Warm, and the Karoo flowers after rain. |
| Dec – Feb | Summer | Hot, with occasional thunderstorms. |
If you are driving the N1, a night here breaks up the trip. Book ahead in school holidays.
Getting There
By air
| Airport | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town International (CPT) | Most visitors | About 5 hours by road. |
| O.R. Tambo International (JNB), Johannesburg | Long-haul arrivals and self-drive | About 9 to 10 hours by road. |
By road
The park entrance is on the N1, about 2 km south of Beaufort West. All main roads to the rest camp are tarred.
Entrance & Fees
SANParks charges a daily conservation fee per person. The rates below apply from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027.
| Visitor | Adult | Child (2–11) |
|---|---|---|
| International | R358 | R179 |
| SADC national | R158 | R78 |
| South African | R76 | R38 |
Wild Card holders enter free.
Fees last checked October 2026 against the SANParks conservation fees schedule (2026/27).
