Small and big Karoo

The semi-desert systems of the Little and Great Karoo cover almost a third of South Africa's entire surface area. Endless expanses and huge farms dominate the scenery. However, only a few places and regions are of interest to tourists. The Little Karoo is crossed via the picturesque Route 62, the South African equivalent of the American Route 66. In the Great Karoo, the fourth oldest town of Graaff-Reinet and a number of national parks and nature reserves attract particular attention. One overnight stay on the journey through the Little Karoo is usually sufficient, but if you have special interests or longer distances in the Great Karoo, you can also spend more nights.

Little Karoo

The famous Route 62 in the Klein Karoo is the old connecting road between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, when the main road along the coast did not yet exist. The most beautiful part is between Montagu in the west and Oudtshoorn in the east. Along the way, you will discover endless farms, breathtaking landscapes and quaint little villages. Ronnies Sex Shop, South Africa's most famous pub, is located directly on the R62 near Barrydale. Oudtshoorn is the center of ostrich farming and offers countless commercial operations as well as show farms that can be visited. The mighty Swartberg Mountains are home to the Cango Caves, one of the most impressive cave systems in the world. A drive over the famous Swartberg Pass is an adventure for the hardy. Due to the sparse population, there is hardly any light pollution, so a cloudless night sky in the Klein Karoo will delight any stargazer. Early in the morning shortly after sunrise, the cute meerkats can be observed.

Great Karoo

Graaff-Reinet is the fourth oldest town in South Africa. Entire streets here are listed as historical monuments. The town is almost completely surrounded by Camdeboo National Park, which offers great hiking opportunities and views, for example in the Valley Of Desolation. The Karoo National Park near Beaufort West is a paradise for all outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, mountain biking, 4x4 tracking and much more is possible here in the solitude of the Great Karoo. The Gariep Dam near Colesberg is the largest reservoir in the country, damming up almost 400 square kilometers of the Orange River. A highlight is the Mountain Zebra National Park near Cradock. In addition to the rare Cape mountain zebra, which gave the park its name, various species of antelope, buffalo, rhinoceros and, in recent years, lions have also returned to the area. In terms of scenery, the park is considered one of the most beautiful in the Karoo.