The Camdeboo National Park’s valley is barren and desolate yet fascinating, by what looks like huge perilously balanced dolerite pillars up to 120meters high, rising up dramatically from the slopes around it.
Aptly named the "Valley Of Desolation", it is the prime attraction of the Camdeboo National Park.
The Valley of Desolation, sometimes referred to as the 'Cathedral of the Mountains' provides for many visitors an experience ranging from 'spiritual contact' to one of profound awareness of the environment. From the lookout point on Cave Mountain one looks down on the historical town of Graaff-Reinette, looking like a map laid out on the ground. One can clearly see that the town is almost encircled by a loop of the Sundays River and the Park itself, as the river forms the boundary between the Park and .
On the far slopes beyond lies still more of the Camdeboo National Park. Apart from its unique and dramatic landscape, the Park offers exciting flora and wildlife, together with highly interesting paleontological sites.
The Camdeboo
National Park lies in a circle just east, north and west of the Nqweba dam, which itself lies just north of of Graaff-Reinet. The Camdeboo National Park offers walking trails that range from an hour to overnight hikes, as well as picnic sites for those who simply want to gawp at the majestic rock formations. There are 43 mammal species to be found within the Camdeboo of which 11 are rodents and 13 carnivores. Game animals regularly sighted by visitors include Steenbok, Springbok, Blesbok and Black Wildebeest in the more open areas. Thicket inhabitants include the Kudu and Grey Duiker which are common as well as the less often seen Cape Buffalo. Red Hartebeest and Gemsbok are frequently observed in the transitional vegetation types. Cape Mountain Zebra may be seen from time to time, but they prefer the more mountainous areas of the reserve. |
