Bontebok National Park, South Africa

Bontebok is a name of a very rare antelope. So rare that when the first Bontebok National Park was established by a handful of farmers in 1931 there were only 17 individuals left. Currently the worldwide figure measures between two and three thousand, although the park can only support around 200.

It's easily accessible, being located just of the N2 - the Garden Route 3.5 hours drive away from Cape Town. Small in size, it can be criss-crossed in just a day, although it has a good campsite and some very nice wooden chalets that can be rented. The parks roads can be driven even in a small vehicle. There are also hiking trails through the park. You can go swimming or kayaking on the Breede River without fear of crocodiles, hippos or mosquitos, although further downstream, up to 5 km from the river's mouth bullsharks frequently are seen.

Bonteboks aren't the only animals residing there. Among the biggest are red hartebeest and grey rhebuck.
The sightings are not always great. We drove around for an afternoon and only saw some bonteboks far in the distance. However, we stayed overnight at the campsite in a motorhome and next morning a family on bonteboks - female, male and a baby decided to have some family time together right next to us (see the first photo). We were sat by the window having our morning coffee and breakfast and warching the baby suckle. A lucky and wonderful moment.