The 2 786 hectares Bontebok National Park is situated along the Breede River about 6 km south of Swellendam and 220 km from Cape Town.

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.

Thirty years later the Bontebok Reserve was moved to its present location and is now sancturary to a thriving population for over 300 bontebok. In addition to the bontebok, grey rhebok, Cape grysbok, steenbok, common duiker, red hartebeest and Cape mountain zebra as well as a variety of smaller mammals are found in the park. The area abounds with over 200 bird species, including the secretary bird, fish eagle and francolin. Situated in the Cape Floral Kingdom (one of the richest floral kingdoms in the world), the Bontebok National Park is host to more than 470 plant species, among them, erica, gladiolus and protea. Wild olive, yellowwood and milkwood trees grace the Breede River's banks. Blood red aloes bloom in June and July and many-coloured wildflowers decorate the fynbos countryside during the springtime months.

The Bontebok National Park has a 25-km road network and for the slightly more energetic, there are two short walking trails. Game viewing is done from your own vehicle. Visitors may swim only in the river at the camping ground. Angling is permitted in the river at the camping grounds only and is subject to the possession of an angling license.

Bontebok National Park Accommodation

The Bontebok National Park's accommodation area and camp sites are situated along the bank of the Breede River with the blue Langeberg Mountains in the background. Other visitor facilities include an information centre and shop (near the main gate); barbecue facilities (without grills) are available for day visitors.

The Bontebok National Park is a must see.

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