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    Beaufort West

    South Africa

    Beaufort West

    City

    Beaufort West is the largest town in the central Karoo and a classic stopover on the N1, roughly halfway between Cape Town and Johannesburg.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. South Africa
    7. Karoo
    9. Beaufort West
    Beaufort West is the largest town in the central Karoo and a classic stopover on the N1, roughly halfway between Cape Town and Johannesburg. Right on the outskirts lies the Karoo National Park, featuring table mountains, mountain zebras, and a fossil trail.

    Sights in Beaufort West

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Attraction

    1Karoo National Park

    National Park on the city's edge with table mountains, wide plains, and mountain zebras, kudus, and gemsbok. A fossil trail shows reptiles from the ancient Karoo, the road over Klipspringer Pass offers wide views. Includes a camp, restaurant, and short hiking trails.
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    Museum

    2Beaufort West Museum

    The Town Museum tells the story of Beaufort West and dedicates a section to heart surgeon Chris Barnard, who was born here. On display are memorabilia and awards from his life.
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    Restaurants in Beaufort West

    The History

    Beaufort West was founded in 1818 and named after the Duke of Beaufort, the father of the then Cape Governor Lord Charles Somerset. The town originated as a supply station on the route inland and later grew with the railway and the N1. The surrounding rocks are rich in fossils of early reptiles, which you can discover in the National Park.

    Traveling

    Beaufort West is right on the N1; it’s about a five-hour drive from Cape Town. Distances in town are short. You'll need a car for the National Park; the main roads there are tarred or well-maintained gravel roads.

    Accommodations in Beaufort West

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      • 1Karoo National Park3 days
      • 2Beaufort West Museum4 days
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    Nearby

    Prince Albert

    Prince Albert

    Prince Albert is a small town in the Great Karoo at the northern foot of the Swartberg Mountains, about five hours' drive northeast of Cape Town. Whitewashed Cape Dutch and Victorian houses, olive and fig groves, and the spectacular Swartberg Pass make it one of the most popular Karoo villages.
    Oudtshoorn

    Oudtshoorn

    Oudtshoorn is the largest town in the Little Karoo and the heart of ostrich farming. From here, you can reach the Cango Caves and the Swartberg Pass.
    George

    George

    George is the largest city on the Garden Route and, with its airport, the starting point for many. The city lies at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, just a few minutes from Wilderness and the sea.
    Sutherland

    Sutherland

    Sutherland is a small town in the Karoo, about four hours' drive northeast of Cape Town. Dry air, high altitude, and minimal light pollution make it one of the best places for stargazing worldwide. That's why the South African Astronomical Observatory, home to the Southern African Large Telescope, is located here.
    Wilderness

    Wilderness

    Wilderness is between George and Sedgefield on a long sandy beach. Beyond it, lagoons, lakes, and forests of the Garden Route National Park begin, ideal for paddling, hiking, and paragliding.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI