Western Cape : Cape Karoo
Overview
Stretching into the provinces of the Northern and Eastern Cape, the Karoo is a unique semi-arid region of South Africa, covering almost a third of the country’s surface.
With its endless purple mountains, vast semi-arid plains, crisp blue skies and magnificent
sunsets, the Cape Karoo is a the home of peace and tranquillity,where you can recharge
your batteries and rediscover solitude and your soul.
Things to do and see
Coming up from Cape Town, the entry point to the Cape Karoo is the small quaint Victorian village of Matjiesfontein. It was once a fashionable health resort but
has now been restored as a national monument.
The capital of the Central Karoo is Beaufort-West. Apart from being the ideal stopover
between Johannesburg and Cape Town , the area surrounding the town houses one of
the world’s richest Stone-Age sites. Here you will find is a fascinating record
covering 30 000 years of San, Khoi-Khoi and history. The largest San rock art site
in the Karoo can be visited at Nelspoort, 40km north of Beaufort West. Also to the
North of the Beaufort-West lies the Karoo National
Park,
where you can view the
endangered Black Rhino and the Quagga which was brought back from the brink of extinction
.
Graaff-Reinett is of specific historic value with over 220 national monuments. Outside
the town you will find the Cambdeboo National Park and the Valley of Desolation,
a geological phenomenon formed millions of years ago from extreme weathering and
erosion, which resulted in awe-inspiring rock formations and sheer cliff faces.
55km North West of Graaff-Reinet, lies the village of Nieu-Bethesda, home to the
famous Owl House, a mythical kingdom made up of hundreds of cement and glass sculptures
created by artist Helen Martins. This artistic town is home to growing talent in
the sector of arts and crafts. Places to view include The Bethesda Art Centre, The
Old Mill and Freddie Jacobs Craft Workshops. Alternatively, visitors can go back
in time with Jakob's Guided Donkey Cart Tours. Hiking fanatics will also find the
many routes within the Nieu-Bethesda appealing.
The plains and mountains of the Cape Karoo plays host to an interesting variety
of game including the springbok, klipspringers, kudu, eland as well as the hyrax
and Hartman’s mountain zebra. The area is well-known for its game farms and hunting.
The incredible desert days give way to clear, dark nights bright with stars
offering some of the best stargazing in the world. Its no wonder that one the world’s largest
optical telescopes is situated in the Karoo, outside the little town of Sutherland.
Although the stark, semi-arid Karoo derives its name from an indigenous word meaning
‘thirstland,” the area is everything but boring and holds many surprises. With its
fossil-rich terrain, fascinating rock art, ancient stone-age sites, star-filled
skies, succulent Karoo lamb, magnificent sunsets and old world charm the Cape Karoo
is well worth more than just a stop-over visit.
Climate
Being an arid region, there is not much precipitation and during the summer months
the average daytime temperature is 33 degrees, but can go a lot higher. The moment
the sun sets, however, the temperature plummets. In winter, frosts are common and
daytime temperatures average a pleasant 18 degrees. The best time to visit is spring and autumn when the weather is fine and the day temperatures are in the mid-20s.
Accommodation
For the tourist, there are a host of accommodation options in the Cape Karoo and
during the last couple of years, many new guest houses, guest farms and B&Bs
have appeared in the Karoo. Many of these accommodation facilities are of a very
high standard, combining landscapes, aesthetic appeal, and luxurious extras.
Towns in the area
Towns and places worth a visit in the Cape Karoo include : Aberdeen, Beaufort West,
Graaff-Reinett, Laingsburg, Ladismith, Matjiesfontein, Nieu Bethesda, Prince Albert.