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 comes from the Khoi language and means something close to green valley, pointing to the deep roots of indigenous people in this part of South Africa. Traces of this heritage are visible in place names and in the way the landscape has been understood and used for generations.
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.
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