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Vaalbos National Park

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National Parks South Africa

Barkly West, Northern Cape, South Africa

An extraordinary area along the Vaal River where wildlife such as Black Rhino, White Rhino, Buffalo, Tsessebe, Eland and Red Hartebeest are to be seen .

The Vaalbos National Park is an extraordinary area along the Vaal River where wildlife such as black rhino, white rhino, buffalo, eland, red hartebeest and tsessebe are to be seen in the former heart of the the alluvial diamond diggings near Kimberley.

A tourist route, built with material from the diamond diggings using local labour, winds through the park, exposing visitors to all facets of its three different ecosystems as they merge together as one.

The name Vaalbos originates from the vaalbos (camphor bush), a prominent plant species in the park. Of interest are:
Camphor Bush (Vaalbos)
White Rhino
Black Rhino
Tsessebe
Cape Buffalo

At Block Dam there is a picnic site, 17 km from the gate and a hide erected at a waterhole.

There is no shop or restaurant in the park. Closest shops are at Longlands (5 km), Delportshoop (20 km), Barkly West (20 km) or Kimberley (61 km via Barkly West).
Public telephone at Longlands.
Doctor at Delportshoop or Barkly West.

Rainfall occurs mainly during summer, could vary between 300 mm and 700 mm per annum. Winters are cold with temperatures as low as -4C. Summer temperatures may be as high as 44C.

Rooms
Six-bed cottages, one bedroom (with two beds), lounge (with two beds), bathroom (shower) and kitchen with basic equipment.
Loft with two mattresses – but it is not suitable for the elderly or small children.
Solar panels provide power for lights and fans only no electric plugs available.

How to get there
20 km west of Barkly West and 52 km from Kimberley.
Sydney-on-Vaal, the historic mining village with its many original Victorian buildings, is adjacent to the park.
Tourist routes are gravelled.

National Parks in South Africa:

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