South Africa

Karoo

Region

The Karoo is the vast semi-desert in the interior of South Africa, between the Winelands and the Highveld.

The Karoo is the vast semi-desert in the interior of South Africa, between the Winelands and the Highveld. Endless plains, table mountains, sheep farms, and small historic towns like Graaff-Reinet and Prince Albert define the landscape, with a clear starry sky stretching above at night.

Many travelers cross the Karoo on the N1 between Cape Town and Johannesburg or on the N9 north from the Garden Route. Stopovers reveal tranquil, historic spots: Graaff-Reinet with the Valley of Desolation, Prince Albert at the foot of the Swartberg Pass, the Victorian railway village Matjiesfontein, and Sutherland with its observatory. In the Karoo National Park near Beaufort West, you'll see mountain zebras and antelopes. The Karoo's rocks are rich in early reptile fossils. Karoo lamb is also renowned. Summers are very hot; winters are frosty at night.

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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.

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Graaff-Reinet

Graaff-Reinet lies in a loop of the Sundays River in the heart of the Karoo, approximately three hours' drive north of Gqeberha. Founded in 1786, the town is considered the fourth oldest in the country and boasts over 200 heritage buildings.

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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.

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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.

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Sights in Karoo

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Gem Safaris

Park in Kommetjieshoek.

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Nearby

Graaff-Reinet

Addo and Sundays River Valley

The region around the Addo Elephant National Park north of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) is the most important safari area in the Eastern Cape and is malaria-free. Besides the national park, private game reserves like Shamwari and Schotia are located here, plus the citrus valley of the Sundays River.

Addo Elephants National Park

The Addo Elephant National Park is located approximately 70 kilometres north of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). It was established in 1931 to protect the last eleven elephants in the region; today, over 600 live here. Besides them, there are lions, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, and zebras. The park is malaria-free and easily explored by private car.

Beaufort West

Schotia Private Game Reserve

Schotia is a small private game reserve on the edge of Addo Elephant National Park and one of the oldest in the Eastern Cape. Lions, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and many antelopes live in a compact space. Schotia is known for game drives that extend into the darkness.