National park · South Africa
Bontebok National Park
Enter Bontebok National Park for a short game drive or a 2‑hour hike: pay the entry fee (check), drive the 6 km (3.7 mi) gravel road from Swellendam, and visit in Apr–Oct for milder weather and fewer crowds.Enter Bontebok National Park for a short game drive or a 2‑hour hike: pay the entry fee (check), drive the 3.7 mi (6 km) gravel road from Swellendam, and visit in Apr–Oct for milder weather and fewer crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
27 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (27 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Area
- 27 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (27 km²)
- The park covers about 27 km² (official SANParks source).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Swellendam
Bontebok National Park, a 27 km² reserve near Swellendam, protects the endangered bontebok and other fynbos wildlife. It offers short self‑drive game drives, two easy 2 km hiking loops, and river fishing, with basic caravan accommodation at the rest camp.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteManaged by South African National Parks (SANParks).
Size and age
27 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (27 km²) · national park since 1995
The park covers about 27 km² (official SANParks source).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Swellendam.
Why go
- Small reserve protecting the endangered bontebok antelope.
- Two short, well‑marked hiking trails start at the rest camp.
- Game drives give chances to see mountain zebra, red hartebeest and over 200 bird species.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot, occasional thunderstorms.
- FebHot, rain possible.
- MarWarm, early spring.
- AprMild, dry, ideal for walking.
- MayCool, low rain.
- JunWinter, pleasant.
- JulCool, dry.
- AugCool, dry.
- SepSpring, comfortable.
- OctWarm, low rain.
- NovWarming up, occasional showers.
- DecHot, higher fire risk.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bontebok antelopeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Mountain zebra, red hartebeestAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 200 bird speciesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Cape Town
Drive N2 east 240 km (149 mi); follow signs to Bontebok NP, last 5 km (3.1 mi) are gravel.Drive N2 east 149 mi (240 km); follow signs to Bontebok NP, last 3.1 mi (5 km) are gravel.
≈2.5 h
Open the page →
From Swellendam
Take the N2 east 6 km (3.7 mi); turn onto the gravel access road.Take the N2 east 3.7 mi (6 km); turn onto the gravel access road.
≈15 min
Open the page →
From Port Elizabeth
Drive N2 west 540 km (336 mi); follow signs.Drive N2 west 336 mi (540 km); follow signs.
≈5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Rest camp | Visitor centre, shop, caravan/chalet accommodation, and trailheads. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Game drive loop | Gravel road circuit for self‑drive wildlife viewing. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Hiking trail network | Two short marked trails (≈2 km (1.2 mi) each) starting at the camp.Two short marked trails (≈1.2 mi (2 km) each) starting at the camp. | Open; no guide needed. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the rest camp; nearby town coordinates approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Exact fee not published; check at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Angling permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Domestic dogs not allowed in the park.
- Camping
- Only in the designated caravan/campground; no wild camping.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited outside designated braai areas.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins at the camp.
Where to stay
In the park
Bontebok Rest Camp caravans/chalets
6‑berth units with kitchen and bathroom; book in advance.
Near the park
Swellendam town
Hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses 6 km (3.7 mi) away.Hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses 3.7 mi (6 km) away.
Safety
Heat in summer medium
Wildlife encounters on roads low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Rest camp facilities are reachable by car with short walks.
- Gravel roads may be challenging for low‑clearance vehicles.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in park‑run accommodation to support conservation funding.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep to marked trails.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bontebok National Park?
The park charges an entry fee; the exact amount is not published online and should be confirmed at the gate (check).
What are the best hikes in Bontebok National Park?
Two short marked loops start at the rest camp, each about 2 km and suitable for all fitness levels.
When is the best time to visit Bontebok National Park?
April to October offers mild temperatures and lower rainfall, making walks and game drives most comfortable.
Can I fish in the Breede River?
Yes, with a local angling permit obtained at the post office; the river is popular for trout.
Is camping allowed outside the caravan site?
No, wild camping is prohibited; only the designated caravan/campground is permitted.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Bontebok National Park
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