Bontebok National Park, South Africa
Sheltered by the Langeberg Mountains and bordered to the south by the Breede River, the Bontebok National Park in South Africa provides a refuge for not only bontebok, but also for other species such as the Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest and grey rhebok. The park is situated within the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest, but richest of the world’s six floral kingdoms.
Bontebok National Park is situated 6 km from the picturesque and historic town of Swellendam, 240 km from Cape Town. Situated in the Cape Floral Kingdom (one of the richest floral kingdoms in the world), the park is host to more than 470 plant species, among them, erica, gladiolus and protea. The Bontebok National Park is an ideal stopover on the way to the famous Garden Route. The last 5 km of the access route from the N2 highway is gravel, as are all the tourist routes within the park.
The Bontebok National Park provides a refuge for bontebok. Characteristic markings together with an inquiring nature made the bontebok an easy target for hunters who roamed the Cape interior in the 1800′s. By 1930, it was estimated that fewer than 30 Bontebok remained. To correct this, the 2,786 ha Bontebok National Park was established and today it provides sanctuary for hundreds of bontebok as well as other antelope species including the Cape mountain zebra and smaller mammals.
Although the park can only support a limited number of bontebok (about 200 – 300), over the years its surplus stock has been given to other nature and game reserves and private landowners with suitable habitat. The total world population of Bontebok now stands somewhere between 2000 to 3000. In addition to game viewing, bird watching and hiking, swimming and fishing in the Breede River are popular pastimes. Abundant bird life includes the secretary bird, fish eagle and francolin. Bird watching is excellent near the camping and picnic sites.
