Bontebok National Park is a special national park in South Africa. It was created in 1931 to protect the bontebok, a type of antelope. It is the smallest of South Africa's 19 national parks, covering an area of 27.86 square kilometers. The park is part of the Cape Floristic Region, which is recognized as a World Heritage Site.

The park is located 6 kilometers south of Swellendam, in the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains. To the south of the park flows the Breede River.

The bontebok

Bonteboks are rare antelopes with unusual markings. They are listed as vulnerable in Appendix II of the International Trade in Endangered Species Red List. These animals are found only in the Cape Floral area and once lived in large numbers there. European settlers and hunting nearly drove the species to extinction by the early 1800s. A small group of bonteboks was protected on private farmland. In 1931, seventeen of these animals were moved to the first Bontebok National Park. In the 1960s, half of the population died from health issues caused by worms, lack of copper, and related problems. In 1961, 61 surviving bonteboks were moved to the current Bontebok National Park. All bonteboks living today, numbering between 2,500 and 3,000, come from this group.

However, only about 200 bonteboks live in the park because this number is the most the park can support without harming the plants. Over time, extra bonteboks from the park have been moved to other nature reserves and private lands with suitable habitats.

Other species found in the park

Conservation in the park includes protecting the endangered fynbos grassland and the coastal renosterveld, one of the largest remaining renosterveld areas. This area contains several plant species found only in this region. The park is home to nearly 500 types of grasses and other plants.

Other native animals in the park include the African leopard, African clawless otter, Denham's bustard, Secretary bird, and the Blue crane, which is South Africa's national bird. Grey Rhebok, Cape Grysbok, Steenbok, Grey Duiker, Caracal, Red Hartebeest, and Cape Mountain Zebra also live in the park. There are more than 200 bird species in the area.

• Bontebok female and young
• The Breede River in the park
• Blue Crane
• The Breede River with the Langeberge mountains in the distance.

Activities in the Park

Bontebok National Park does not have large dangerous animals or major predators, which allows many outdoor activities. These include guided game drives, a large picnic area, fishing, swimming, and kayaking on the Breede River. Visitors can also mountain bike on gravel roads or a 9 km trail, and hike on several marked paths.

Three hiking trails begin near the rest camp, which is accessible to day visitors from a parking area or a short path from the overnight camp:

• The Acacia Trail is a circular path about 1.6 km long, mostly flat, and passes through acacia veldt.
• The Aloe Hill Trail is a circular path about 3.3 km long (2.7 km if starting from the rest camp). It passes the original building of Lang Elsie's Kraal (built between 1734 and 1800), climbs a small hill, and returns along the river with some easy rocky sections.
• The Bushbuck Trail is an out-and-back path 5.4 km long, following the river to Die Stroom (the picnic area) and returning.

Further inland, the Blue Crane Trail is a 3.2 km path along a jeep track, passing small dams. A fifth circular trail, the Termite Loop (about 6 km long), starts near Die Stroom, climbs a gentle slope, crosses Western Drive, and returns to the river.

The park is a great place for birdwatching, with more than 200 bird species recorded. Common large birds include the Denham's bustard, blue crane, spur-winged goose, and secretarybird. Other notable birds are the malachite, southern double-collared sunbird, fiscal flycatcher, Klaas's cuckoo, acacia pied barbet, red-faced mousebird, and pearl-breasted swallow.

Day visitors can explore all areas of the park except the Lang Elsie's Kraal Rest Camp. A dedicated picnic area at Die Stroom includes restrooms, barbecue facilities, a children’s play area, and access to the river for swimming, fishing, or kayaking.

Accommodation in the park

All lodging is located at Lang Elsie's Kraal Rest Camp, which is situated along the Breede River. There are fourteen wooden cottages with one or two bedrooms, along with several camping spots. Some camping spots have electricity, while others do not. Additional camping areas are available for caravans. All lodging reservations must be made through SANParks.