“Let’s stay here for the night.” I quickly said while taking a sharp left at the Karoo National Park’s Large Signpost outside of their gate on the N1.
We were met enthusiastically by the gate guard who kindly showed us the rates for the cottages while taking our particulars down on his very official looking registry.
It was past 18:30 on the 25th of May by the time we spontaneously pulled into the Park’s entrance and the African Sun, true to the African spirit, had already retired to it’s resting place a while ago. In Africa even the sun knows that in winter one should rest a whole lot more. That said the gate stays open for visitors from 05h00 to 22h00. The park is open every day of the year.
I love arriving at lodges and other such places after sunset. It always lends an air of mystery to the place. “What will it be like in the morning?” “What will we see?”
A pair of Zebra crosses our headlights as we head on to the Camp site as do a heard of Red Hartebeest lazily taking in their last mouthfuls of sour Karoo grass before turning in for the night.
When we arrived at our bungalow we were pleasantly surprised. A double Bed with a double sleeper couch finished off a comfortably decorated room and kitchen with a toilet, shower and bath en-suit.
After calming the kids down, popping them in the bath, and having a quick chicken roll prepped by Amanda, my wife, we sat outside under a liar’s moon with a knertsie of OB’s and my pipe absorbed by the intense silence that enveloped us, broken occasionally by the distant call of a Cape Mountain Zebra and the not-so-distant call of the local Bat-eared or Cape Fox.
The next morning was great!
We headed on down to the reception area where we where issued with our breakfast vouchers. Gavin and Patricia, who helped out at the reception, were warm and friendly with that all important touch of professionalism. Breakfast which is served from 07h00 to 10h00 was more than adequate as we were offered a choice of English, Cereal or Continental. (Dinner is served from 18h00 till late)
Having filled our bellies with an elephant’s sufficiency we headed on back out of the park slowly, stopping occasionally in the thick morning mist to spot a lone Springbok or a pair of Kudu and even a couple of Ostriches.
1) A Picnic site for day visitors with a swimming pool, braai and ablution facilities.
2) Interpretive Centre where you can learn more about the ecological and cultural history of the Great Karoo, dating back 5 billion years!!
3) The unique and fascinating Fossil Trail, which has an amazing collection of fossilized creatures is only a short walk from the chalets, and is accessible by wheelchair too, is also worth the visit we’re told.
There are also guided game drives, including night drives, hiking and walking trails as well as a 4x4 trail that allows you to explore the majestic landscape of the Karoo up Pienaar’s Pass.
Reception is open from 07h00-19h00 daily. There is also a shop there open from 07h00-20h00 which sells basic commodities as well as curios with an African flair. The one drawback we did experience was that we wanted mayonnaise which they didn’t stock.
You can get newspapers, magazines and firewood there too.
All-in-all it was a very pleasant stop over leaving us wanting more.
For more info or to make a booking head on over to: http://www.krugerpark.com/karoo.htm
or http://www.sanparks.org/parks/karoo/
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