National park · South Africa
Karoo National Park
Enter Karoo National Park for R150 per adult (check), drive the 13 km (8.1 mi) Lammertjiesleegte game route in the morning, or the 49 km (30 mi) Klipspringer loop in the afternoon; avoid the hot months Dec–Feb.Enter Karoo National Park for R150 per adult (check), drive the 8.1 mi (13 km) Lammertjiesleegte game route in the morning, or the 30 mi (49 km) Klipspringer loop in the afternoon; avoid the hot months Dec–Feb.
- 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
750 km² (290 sq mi)290 sq mi (750 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
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
- 750 km² (290 sq mi)290 sq mi (750 km²)
- The park covers about 750 km² (≈290 sq mi) as reported by SANParks; some maps show slight variations, so treat as approximate.
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Karoo National Park, established in 1995 west of Beaufort West, offers semi‑desert landscapes with easy self‑drive game routes, a high diversity of tortoises and birds, and basic park‑managed accommodation.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1995.
Size and age
750 km² (290 sq mi)290 sq mi (750 km²) · national park since 1995
The park covers about 750 km² (≈290 sq mi) as reported by SANParks; some maps show slight variations, so treat as approximate.
Why go
- Easy game viewing on the 13 km (8.1 mi) Lammertjiesleegte plains route.Easy game viewing on the 8.1 mi (13 km) Lammertjiesleegte plains route.
- Scenic 49 km (30 mi) Klipspringer Pass loop with panoramic viewpoints.Scenic 30 mi (49 km) Klipspringer Pass loop with panoramic viewpoints.
- High concentration of tortoise species and diverse birdlife.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanHot; daytime temps >35 °C (95 °F)Hot; daytime temps >95 °F (35 °C)
- FebHot; limited shade on routes
- MarWarm, less extreme
- AprMild, good for walking
- MayCool evenings, comfortable days
- JunCool, occasional rain
- JulCoolest period
- AugCool, stable weather
- SepWarming up, still pleasant
- OctWarm, dry, good visibility
- NovWarm, low rain risk
- DecHeat returns, crowds increase
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springbok, zebra, red hartebeest, eland, kuduAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds: Karoo Korhaan, Ludwig’s Bustard, raptorsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Five tortoise 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
Take the N1 highway north 400 km (249 mi) to Beaufort West, then follow signs to the park gate.Take the N1 highway north 249 mi (400 km) to Beaufort West, then follow signs to the park gate.
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Johannesburg
Fly to Cape Town (1 h) then drive N1 as above, or drive N1 north 900 km (559 mi) (≈10 h).Fly to Cape Town (1 h) then drive N1 as above, or drive N1 north 559 mi (900 km) (≈10 h).
≈10 h by road
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate | Entrance, visitor centre, ticket office, and start of Lammertjiesleegte route. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Lammertjiesleegte plains | 13 km (8.1 mi) flat game viewing drive; good for springbok, zebra, and birding.8.1 mi (13 km) flat game viewing drive; good for springbok, zebra, and birding. | Self‑drive, no 4×4 needed. |
| Klipspringer Pass loop | 49 km (30 mi) circular route with climbs, viewpoints, and Doornhoek picnic site.30 mi (49 km) circular route with climbs, viewpoints, and Doornhoek picnic site. | Tarred roads; 4×4 recommended for steep sections. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 are approximate centre of the park; specific sites are marked separately.
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 (adult) | ZAR 150 (≈ US$9) | person | official fee not listed; verify on‑site |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Off‑road driving
- Only on marked tracks; off‑track driving may damage fragile vegetation.
- Fires
- Open fires allowed only at designated braai sites.
- Pets
- Dogs must be leashed and are not permitted on game drives.
- Camping
- Only in the official campsite or chalets; no wild camping.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are provided at picnic sites.
Where to stay
In the park
Karoo campsite
Tents and caravans; ablutions, laundry, and braai facilities.
In the park
Park chalets
Basic self‑catering units near the main gate.
Near the park
Beaufort West
Hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants 30 km (19 mi) north of the gate.Hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants 19 mi (30 km) north of the gate.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Remote location, limited phone signal medium
Vehicle breakdown on steep passes 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
- Main gate and Lammertjiesleegte route are on tarred roads, suitable for standard cars.
- Klipspringer Pass has steep grades and rough sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in park‑managed accommodation to support conservation funding.
- Use designated braai sites only; avoid open fires.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep a safe distance.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Karoo National Park?
The official entry fee for an adult is around R150 (verify on‑site as the exact amount may change).
What are the best hikes in Karoo National Park?
The 13 km Lammertjiesleegte plains drive is easy and wildlife‑rich; the 49 km Klipspringer Pass loop offers views and varied terrain.
When is the best time to visit Karoo National Park?
April to October provides mild temperatures and good wildlife viewing; avoid the hottest months of December to February.
Can I camp inside Karoo National Park?
Yes, at the official campsite with facilities; wild camping is not permitted.
Do I need a guide for the game drives?
No guide is required for the self‑drive routes, but a guide can enhance wildlife spotting on the longer Klipspringer loop.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Karoo National Park
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