Camdeboo National Park, National park in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Camdeboo National Park is a protected area in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, covering a semi-arid Karoo landscape of open plains and rocky terrain. Dolerite cliffs and columns shape much of the park, giving it a raw and open feel that sets it apart from other South African parks.

The area was first set aside as a nature reserve in 1979 and became a national park in 2005. The change reflected a broader commitment to protecting the plant and animal life of the Karoo region over the long term.

The name Camdeboo derives from the Khoi word !Xamdeboo, meaning green valley. From the mid-17th century the Inqua branch of the Khoikhoi lived in this area as nomadic herders, moving down from the mountains. Around 1770 European settlers arrived in the Camdeboo plains with Merino sheep, Angora goats and foreign plants.

The park is accessed through the nearby town of Graaff-Reinet, which also has accommodation and services for visitors. Going out early in the morning or later in the afternoon is a good idea since daytime temperatures in the Karoo can get very high.

The Valley of Desolation contains vertical dolerite columns that can reach over 100 meters (330 feet) tall and look like giant organ pipes rising from the plain. What many visitors do not realize is that the view from the top across the open Karoo is just as memorable as the rock formations themselves.