We certainly have some beautiful locations in our country. One such place is the Valley of Desolation just outside Graaf Reinete. A short drive in the Kamdeboo National Park will lead you to a lookout deck where you can take in the majestic mountains.

Landscape unique to the area of Graaff Reinet. Stone formations that let you feel you're in another world. You can take a drive directly to the Valley of Desolation on a good tarred road or you can spend a couple of hours in the park driving around. Toilet facilities at the top of the viewpoint parking area. A stoned walkway take you to the edge of the viewpoint where one of the outlooks has a shade roof for the hot days. Always beautiful bit late afternoon sun on the rocks let the colours stand out.

The park is not bad but can be upgraded. The valley of desolation is beautiful, but that is it. We saw some animals and the park is clean. Will only spend an afternoon here as it is a really small park.

Beautiful scenery and some great 4x4 rock climbing routes to get to some awesome viewpoints. Mostly bucks to see and some rock tortoises. Camping facilities are great with each site offering privacy. Camping is on small stones and rocks, so a bit difficult to put pegs in.

Most amazing sceneries. The park and all public areas like restrooms and picnic areas are very well kept and clean. The short 1.5km circular route is worth it and easy. Saw some wild which was asome.

We had a great stay in the Nqeweba campsite. Saw a lot of different animals and the veld was very green. The ablution block was very clean. The kitchen has warm water, a freezer, a kettle and even two stove tops. There is a light at every camp unit, with a braai, dustbin, electrical socket and a table with seating. The most comfortable campsite I have been to. The Valley of Desolation is a must to see and DO NOT mis the Craig Lizard Trail! This trail shows the best part of the rock formation and bring you very close to the rocks. Very beautiful trail and easy to walk. There is a braai area near the Valley of Desolation and we made our Potjiekos there. Really a great spot, just bring your own water with you. The staff is very friendly and professional. We got stuck on one of the 4×4 routes and they were very quick to come and help us. Overall would recommend everyone to come and visit here. The guide also told us that in Sept-Dec the spekbos bloom purple flowers so that's something we want to come and see next time.

BE WARNED - MONKEYS ARE A MENACE !!!! Very hot in summers. Take cool water and fans with you. No pool. Lovely staff. Spacious stands with table, bench, and a decent braai facility. Hard ground for pegs though. Bathrooms need upgrading. Kitchen facilities have a freezer available to keep meats frozen. Access to the Valley of Desolation free with stand hire.

We camped in the Lakeview tented camp. It’s a lovely rustic campsite, everything is very neatly done and the area is beautiful. The staff were also very accommodating with making arrangements as we had to travel far and arrived late. A lovely nature experience! Just be sure to lock up, or the vervet monkeys will help themselves to your food!

This is the standard that all SanParks should be measured against! Absolutely amazing camping. Every site separate and demarcated. With a table, electric connector and water. The views at the valley of desolation are amazing. The roads are well kept. As I say the standard that all parks should be held to. Well done to the staff of the park!!!

Camping must be prepared for. No grass, camping in Rock pedal so if in a tent make sure you have a sail or something for comfort. Bathroom are clean. There is a fridge and a stove and microwave that is very useful for the not experience campers. Staff is friendly and very kind.

Very quiet and lovely campsites. Camping areas are well sectioned off and you cannot see your neighbours. Bathrooms are good.

Awesome place to spend a couple of days. The tented accomodation is clean and the shared kitchen area is well equipped with allocated lockers with everything you need. Crockery, cutlery, glasses, toaster etc. Ablutions are clean and really enjoyed a nice hot shower. The monkeys are very naughty so keep your tent zipped closed.

Best views over Karoo. Beautiful rock formations and photo opportunities.

Camdeboo National Park offers an enchanting blend of natural beauty and biodiversity. The striking landscapes, including the iconic Valley of Desolation, showcase the park's unique geological features. The diverse flora and fauna provide ample opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers. The well-maintained trails make it easy to explore, and the park's commitment to conservation is evident. Whether you're captivated by the sweeping panoramas or the tranquility of the Nqweba Dam, Camdeboo National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers seeking a memorable and immersive experience.

Just amazing! It was the first time for us in a national park. We had a lake view tent. It felt very secure, everything was very clean and each tent had a huge space around. Also each tent has a barbeque in front. The common kitchen is fully equipped, you have everything you need from cutlery to dishes. There is even a toast machine and a water kettle. There are also common toilets and showers which are very clean. All the above are shared by 4 tents, so it is not busy at all.

The Valley of Desolation boasts the epic beauty of the Karoo landscape. Situated in the Camdeboo National Park in the town of Graaff-Reinet. The vertical cliffs and columns of dolerite 120 metres above the valley floor are breathtaking. We went in September, it was extremely windy so we did the short 45 min hike. There is an entrance fee. If you have a Wildcard then entrance is free. Well worth a visit.

Beautiful views and the staff are very kind and very friendly... definitely something you want to experience

Valley of desolation is an amazing experience. Not to be missed. Photos don't do justice

Well maintained. Beautiful views. Nice wildlife. Easy to access

Pitty there was allot of mist, clean park, friendly game wardens, really enjoyed the short visit.

Amazing view of Graaff Reinet and the surrounds... Interesting rock formations remain after the flood...

Small national park and the hiking trail needs better sinage, but the viewer are magnificent and worth the effort despite the cold winds.

Valley of Desolation! What s beautiful place for a sunset. Real stunning !!

We just love this place! We always stay in the camp and everything is so very neat and tidy. Friendly staff as well. Usually very quiet and relaxing. Beware of the vervet monkeys🐒!! They will raid your camp as soon as you turn your back. Not as bad as in some other parks. Please please please don't feed them.

Well run National park. Nice to see. Ablutions are clean and there is always hot water. Camp sites are clean.

Sunday afternoon walk....

The most beautiful place I have seen in a while. Absolutely worth the drive there. Pack a picnic basket ..lots of water and don't forget your camera

Very beautiful park. The tent decks have few people to compete with so it's relatively private. Excellent communal kitchen facilities. Well maintained. Beautiful with abundant wildlife and birds. Magnificent flora. We had an excellent time here. The accommodation is more than adequate and it's perfect to unwind and destress.

We stayed 2 nights in the Camdeboo Caravan site - it was peaceful and well maintained. The water was very low on the Nqweba Dam, but the Park was nonetheless lovely...even though we didn't see much wildlife. The Valley of Desolation is great... I loved the rocks and the views over Graaff Reinet were spectacular!

Love the beautiful Valley of Desolation and the hike. Very friendly staff, great Tented Camp accommodation. Unfortunately there is alot of noise at night from the main road and nearby Suburb until the early hours of the morning.

Place of awe and splendor! Need to be careful if with kids... Extremely high so stick to path and view points and you will be fine but kids need to be actively watched especially when viewing the valley of desolation. Dating back to prehistoric times the rock formations are a must see. Adults R50 and kids aged 2 - 12 R25.

Serene and stark beauty. The park is very well maintained and the entry reasonable.

Campsites have lots of thorn bushes, the vervet monkeys are very quick at taking things. Ablutions are not up to standard only 4 toilets and showers 2for females and 2 for males that's for the whole Campsite. The game drives were nice and Valley of desolation was beautiful. They also have tented campsite which were nicer

Beautiful place to be

Beautiful

The beauty of nature and so peaceful

Interesting

Problem at ablution with water not draining in shower

Beautiful views, clean and scenic

Amazing 4x4 trial. Valley of desolation is also something truly unique

Breathtaking.

Amazing how animals survive here.

Well thought out and equipped tented camp.

(Translated by Google) Good service. (Original) Goeie diens.

Haven't seen many animals. But the views were stunning.

Breathtaking views, extremely easily accessible. (Towed a trailer up and down the mountain without a problem thanks to excellent parking facilities and broad roadways)

What a cute little park. Staff and facilities excellent as per Sanparks norms. Camping area was super, with individual secluded sites and excellent well equipped kitchen. Small nature reserve area, but with a beautiful large springbok herd, and a nice range of buck. Road to Valley of Desolation very well maintained and Signed. Paths from the top were also well marked and maintained. I'd stop there again when on a cross country road trip.

Awesome Valley of Desolation. We did the short hike and enjoyed the spectacular views! The park is huge....Too big to cover in just one or two days, but animals seem to be spread out far and wide. Caravan park also well designed for privacy. Will definitely recommend.

We had a wonderful stay at Camdeboo National park's camping site. The camping spots are well secluded and not too close to each other. Bathrooms are simple but clean. It was extremely hot when we arrived - I would recommend taking a lead and a fan if you will be camping. What I liked is that every camp site had a water point in close proximity and it's own monkey proof dustbin. We went on a game drive and saw Gemsbok, Springbok, Jackal, Blesbok and some others. The valley of desolation is also beautiful.

Camped here for a few nights and first night the temp dropped to minus 6 degrees!! it was absolutely awesome - was a mid week stay and we were the only people in the camp site - naturally, we felt a bit vulnerable but when you wake up in the morning and see the sunrise over the valleys and take a morning game drive, you forget about all of that. The site itself is spotless and even the cheeky monkeys were a joy. Really stole a piece of our heart here and will definitely be back. PS. the sunset deck is awesome!

This was our second time camping at Camdeboo National Park. With more time to spare we did a early morning game drive and an afternoon drive up to the Valley Of Desolation! What a unforgettable experience, its a must even if you are not camping or staying in their lovely chalets.

One of the best scenery there is in this amazing land. Driving this route is a must... over 100km of amazing landscape and sheer beauty. Mountain passes just leave you breathless! Loved it and will drive it again

Such a neat and wonderful stopover. It is incredibly well maintained. We stayed in the tented camps with family and because there are only 4 luxury tents sleeping 2 people each we had it all to ourselves. We had a walk around the campsite which also looked really lovely.

The Valley of Desolation is a 5-star destination; the rest of the park as a whole is 4-stars just because I don't feel like there is a massive amount of game viewing that can be done given the size of the park. That said, it is pristine, staff are friendly and when you do see animals they are quite unusual in comparison to more famous national parks like Kruger.

The Camdeboo had it's own kind of magic

Left speechless!

Because you can see the places very nice

It was satisfying, can't complaint.

A must to visit

Let's take a hike

Main purpose was to view the Valley of Desolation which is really worth the visit. Pretty windy that day at the viewpoints so exercise caution especially for small children . Surprise was visiting the Toposcope set on a lookout point en route to the Valley. Very informative metal engraved 360 ° map pointing out all the landmarks.

Nice peaceful place, not many animals visible

Can't really give a rating. We didn't spend the night. Staff was friendly and the park was well taken care off. Enjoyed our time

Great

Not a lot of animals to see, but further neat and clean. Did'nt stay over

It was very clean, very friendly staff and the nature was beautiful

What a beautiful place to stay. Bathrooms very clean and kitchen fully equipped. When 5 other campers arrived I was shocked to see the waste. Meters of handtowels on the floor. Really. There is a sign asking to turn off the lights. Please people do you live like that in your own house

Very dry, they really need rain. Nice stands apart from each other. 15 Caravan stands and 4 Tents.

Not a must see at all

Ablution blocks are kept clean. Various bucks to see. The campsite is hard with stones. Difficult to pitch a tent.