The Ou Schuur Interpretive Centre in Karoo National Park is a fount of historical and biological information to fascinate and enlighten people of all ages.
Regular readers of Rolling Inspiration may recall how Karoo National Park has been noted previously as an ideal stop-over destination for people driving on the N1 or N9 between the interior and the Western Cape. From an accessibility perspective there is plenty of accessible accommodation and other facilities. And since the park was last featured in RI, lion and brown hyena have been reintroduced to the park, as an added incentive to visitors to stay longer and search for some of the amazing wildlife that roams in the park. But one of the unheralded features is the park’s interpretive centre, known as Ou Schuur, which is well worth a visit, whether you are in transit or staying longer to explore the Karoo.
Attractions and Access Adaptations:
- A 200m wheelchair-friendly boardwalk along a tree-lined river bed leads visitors from the parking area to the Interpretive Centre.
- From there a paved pathway takes visitors through the gardens, where many historical artefacts are on display.
- Ramps enable ease of access into the converted historical building and an outer wooden display area, both of which house exhibitions on people, plants and animals that live or lived in the area of the park, including geological and fossil records from ancient history.
- Ideal for school groups and individuals alike.
How to get there
The Park’s entrance gate is about 5 km southwest of Beaufort West on the N1, near the junction with the N9 and about 500 km from Cape Town, 1 000 km from Johannesburg and 270 km from George. The Rest Camp is 6,1 km from the gate on a tar road and the Interpretive Centre a further 700 m along the road
More information (including rates) about Ou Schuur, Karoo National Park or the other 18 national parks can be found on the SANParks’ website www.sanparks.org. Designated UA units are reserved for those who need them and can only be booked directly with SANParks on special request. Unlike other units they cannot be booked in advance online until the reserve period has expired. Visitors pay a daily conservation fee to make use of park facilities and enjoy the natural heritage, but if you buy a Wild Card, that fee is waived.