Bontebok National Park

Park Small conservation park protecting endangered bontebok antelope

Bontebok National Park near Swellendam protects the bontebok and fynbos-savanna habitats. Visitors drive scenic routes, hike trails and watch endemic antelope species.

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Bontebok National Park is a small national park in the Western Cape of South Africa founded to protect the endangered bontebok antelope. It preserves remnant fynbos and grassland within a compact protected area focused on species conservation.

Visitors use short walking trails, picnic spots and guided drives to see grazing bontebok herds and experience the local vegetation. The park is small compared with most South African national parks and is oriented toward day visits and wildlife viewing rather than multi-day safaris.

The park was created in the early 20th century as part of targeted conservation measures to prevent the extinction of the bontebok; its management emphasises habitat restoration and control of invasive species.

Geographically the park sits in the Overberg region of the Western Cape near farming and small-town landscapes; it is accessed from regional roads serving the surrounding district.

  • Scale and focus: The park was established to conserve the bontebok and is compact in scale, making it suitable for short drives, guided walks and wildlife viewing from picnic spots.
  • Wildlife viewing: Best visited during the cooler months for walking; ranger-guided drives and short trails offer reliable chances to see bontebok and other grassland species.

What to See #

  • Trails and picnic spots: Small network of walking trails and picnic areas that allow close views of grazing bontebok herds and fynbos vegetation across a compact protected area.
Bontebok National Park
Bontebok National Park, near Swellendam, Western Cape, South Africa
-34.0671, 20.4746
Park gates typically open at dawn and close at dusk (seasonal)
Entrance fees and accommodation charges apply; check SANParks for current tariffs

How to Get to Bontebok National Park #

Bontebok National Park is about 10 km from Swellendam on the N2; drive or arrange transfers from Swellendam, Cape Town or Oudtshoorn depending on itinerary.

Tips for Visiting Bontebok National Park #

  • Drive slowly on the park roads - sightings often happen at quiet waterholes rather than open plains.
  • Bring binoculars for birdwatching; the park is renowned for Avocets and other shorebirds.
  • Stay overnight to experience the park at dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active.

Best Time to Visit Bontebok National Park #

Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for wildlife and birdwatching.

Spring
September-November · 12-24°C
Flowers and migratory birds make the reserve especially rewarding.
Autumn
March-May · 15-25°C
Milder temperatures and pleasant game viewing conditions.

Weather & Climate near Bontebok National Park #

Climate

Bontebok National Park's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 7°C to 30°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Best Time to Visit
JanuaryFebruaryMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
44°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 19 mm.

91 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
17° 30°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

19 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
14.0h daylight

February

February is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Light rainfall.

91 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
18° 30°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

26 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.

91 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
16° 28°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 43 mm of rain.

87 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 25°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

43 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
11.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 22°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

37 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.2h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).

77 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).

77 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
19°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

41 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
20°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 21°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
11.7h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
12° 24°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
12.8h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
14° 27°
62%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

26 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
13.8h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.

91 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
16° 29°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

22 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
14.3h daylight

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