KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Best time to visit? The wildflowers bloom in August and September. If flowers aren’t your priority, the weather is better (and the park is quieter) in the autumn months from March to May.
How to get there? Turn west off the N7 at Kamieskroon. You’ll reach a T-junction almost immediately. Turn left and follow the dirt road that passes under the highway. The Skilpad office is about 20 km further. Cost: Daily conservation fee R48 per adult and R24 per child; free with a Wild card.
Contact: Skilpad office
027 672 1948;
Groen River office 027 531 1015; Bookings 012 428 9111; sanparks.org
The park is divided into two sections by a public road that connects Hondeklip Bay to the N7 near Garies. The northern section includes Skilpad, and this is also where you’ll find the main gate. You can drive to Skilpad in a sedan, and also do a 5 km circular route that starts at the reception office, but you need a vehicle with high ground clearance for the rest of the northern section – and a 4x4 for certain roads.
The southern section features 60 km of unspoilt coastline from the Groen River gate north along the coast to the Spoeg River mouth. If you don’t mind driving on dirt roads in your sedan, you can make it to the Groen River gate and the first four campsites in this section of the park: Moon Bay, Seeduiker, Delwerskamp and Groen River.
You’ll need a 4x4 to explore the rest of the southern section, but it’s worth the effort. The coastline is spectacular.