Bontebok National Park

Bontebok

Bontebok National Park is home to more than 300 bontebok, and various other animals such as duiker, zebra and steenbok. Bontebok National Park is situated along the Breede River about 6 km south of Swellendam and 220 km from Cape Town. It is also the rarest antelope species in the world. Recently upgraded day visitor facilities include a rest camp and a new road connecting the original park to 700 ha of new land donated in 2000 by the local municipality. Situated in the southern Cape, with the Breede river flowing through it, the varieties of fauna and flora and fynbos are spectacular.

Bontebok National Park

The bontebok, a medium sized, dark brown antelope with distinctive white markings, once roamed the southern Cape Plains in their thousands, but by the 1930's hunters and the growing number of encroaching farmlands had reduced the bontebok species to the point of extinction. The local landowners then came to the rescue of the bontebok, safeguarding a number large enough to sustain the gene pool and paving the way for the creation of a national park. The Bontebok National Park was established in the Bredasdorp area in 1931, with a breeding herd of just 22 bontebok.

Bontebok National Park

Because of parasitic infections and certain mineral deficiencies, the Bonteboks did not really prosper. Consequently it was decided in 1960 to relocate the Park to a more suitable habitat on the banks of the Breede river just south east of the town of Swellendam. Here they flourished and by 1969 it was estimated that the herd had grown to around 800 animals, an incredible conservation success. These numbers meant that some of these antelopes could be relocated to other reserves and protected areas with a suitable habitat. Despite the fact that the relatively small 2786 hectare National Park can only support a herd of around 200animals, their total world population now amounts to approximately 3000 animals.

Bontebok

Bontebok National Park is a great day visitor location. Recently upgraded day visitor facilities include a rest camp and a new road connecting the original park to 700 ha of new land donated in 2000 by the local municipality. The day visitor area is a key site named “Die Stroom”, which is a day visitor facility, formerly a recreation site run by the municipality.

Enjoy the Bontebok National Park

The park is easily accessible from the N2 and because of its small size; visitors can drive around the whole park in a few hours. It is a great stopping point between Cape Town and the Garden Route, for a picnic, swim, or small hike to stretch the legs. It also offers passers by and local residents a great braai location or a place to bring the kids.