5 Day Karoo Tour

The Karoo (a San word meaning “Land of Thirst) is the vast semi-arid, mostly plateau-like escarpment that rises above the coastal plains and extends into the interior before the Highveld Grasslands where the large cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria are situated.   It is often overlooked as a destination because people travelling along this road never stop to breathe, or to find the places off the beaten track that make it a place of unique beauty. It is one of the best places in the country for photographers to spend time in.

We suggest the following tour plan

Day One

Depart the bustling city of Cape Town with it’s deafening traffic and winter pollution and head out on the N1 which is the National Road connecting the two biggest cities in the country.

After exploring the cute Karoo town of Matjiesfontein which is used as a stopover by the famous Blue Train, we continue to the sleepy town of Prince Albert at the foot of the majestic Swartberg Mountains.    Explore the town on foot. Overnight here.

Enjoy amazing food at one of the local restaurants.

Optional evening walking tour with a local resident.

Day Two

A short drive to the busy town of Beaufort West which is home to a few surprises,  and then we continue to the town known as the “Athens” of South Africa because it is a treasure chest of preserved buildings.   Afternoon visit to the Valley of Desolation just outside the town.

Overnight Graaf Reinet

Day Three

Full day trip to Nieu Bethseda, a Karoo town which is packed with artists and famous authors.   Visit Helen Martin’s mysterious house and take a donkey cart ride around the town if one is available.

Enjoy a beer-tasting and a local lunch before returning to Graaf Reinet for another night

Day Four

Today we travel to Oudtshoorn via Willowmore and you have the option of visiting an Ostrich Ranch or the Spectacular Cango Caves which is the most impressive limestone cave network in Africa.   Overnight in Oudtshoorn or Calitzdorp.

Day Five

OPTION 5A – if the weather and conditions allow, ascend the Swartberg Pass and enjoy several stops for photos before descending into the town of Prince Albert.     Return to Cape Town the same day.

OPION 5B – if preferred, visit the quaint town of Calitzdorp for some Port-Wine Tasting and shopping before returning to Cape Town via the Robertson Wine Valley which is always very green.   Stop en route for lunch at a pretty winery or country-side café

Quoted according to size of group.    Accommodation selected according to your budget and availability.