Early in the twentieth century the bontebok (bontebuck) was the rarest antelope on earth. A conservation area was proclaimed, but the bontebok did not reproduce sufficiently enough and the reserve was moved to an area at the banks of the Breede River. Since 1960 the nearly extinct bontebok and other wild animals were conserved in the Bontebok National Park. The park is 2786 ha in size.

The Bontebok National Park is situated 6 km from the picturesque and historic town of Swellendam in the Western Cape. It is an ideal stopover on the nearby Garden Route from the Western to the Eastern Cape. With the Breede River flowing through it, the varieties of fauna and flora (and fynbos) are spectacular.

Some beautiful indigenous trees such as sweet thorn, Breede River yellowwood, boekenhout, wild olive and milk wood grow along the Breede River. Erica and gladiolus are among the more than 470 plant species and 52 grass varieties in the park.

The region has a temperate climate with an average rainfall of about 500mm per annum. The rainfall is heavier in winter than in summer. Abundant grazing and water initially attracted Khoi-tribes, followed by adventurers, merchants and settlers and eventually the Swellendam area developed into a commercial and agricultural settlement, the centre of South Africa's most important merino sheep region.

Overnight visitors at the Bontebok National Park stay in a camping and caravan park. Several picnic spots are available for day visitors. Basic commodities and curios can be purchased at a convenience shop. Angling and bathing are allowed in certain parts of the Breede River.

About 184 bird species have been recorded, the secretary bird most certainly the most impressive. There are also many species of reptile, amphibian and fish to be found. Apart from the bontebok, buffalo, eland, springbok, bergkwagga, grey rhebok, steenbok, grysbok and grey duiker can be spotted. Carnivores such as otter, aardwolf, mongoose and jackal can also be seen.