The Rest Camp Trail is another short stroll inside the Rest Camp of the Karoo National Park, and can easily be combined with the Fossil Trail and the Bossie Trail. We also visited the Interpretive Centre but I don’t have any photographs.
Starting from the road the first sight is a snare which would have been used by farmers in the past to catch predators such as leopard and hyenas. The bait was inside the structure and tugging at it released the trapdoor.
And then we found this rather sad graveyard. Saartjie Benadé (or Benadie) was the mother of Karel Benadie, known as Pokkie Benadie, who is designated a Master Tracker working with the South African National Parks. This man is hugely significant – surely more could be done here to celebrate his beginnings?
The plants and flowers on this trail are also marked.
And then it was time for a cold beer in the restaurant overlooking the waterhole, where we were treated to a family of Kudu as the sun went down.
Sadly our time in the Park was nearly over. Next time I would like to do a night drive with a ranger, and the very early morning guided walk.
Further information
Karel Benadie, Master Tracker & here
Photograph of Pokkie Benadie
Biography & film of Pokkie Benadie
Visiting the Karoo
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