Northern Cape Karoo

Karoo is a district in the Northern Cape of South Africa. The Karoo - “Place of Thirst” - is a boundless and mysterious area covered by vast sheep and game farms, where broad plains roll away toward distant koppies and multilayered mountains that seem to touch the indigo sky.

It is formally known as the "Pixley ka Seme District Municipality", and named after Pixley ka Isaka Seme, one of the founders of the African National Congress.



Cities

 * — renowned for producing high-quality racehorses and many stud farms
 * — there are ancient Khoisan rock engravings on the nearby Volksrust and Brandfontein farms
 * — founded in 1991 as an Afrikaner-only village, some see it as a last outpost of Apartheid
 * — the ‘place of the lost she-goat’
 * — a holiday resort near the Rolfontein game reserve
 * — home of the Victoria West Regional Museum
 * — home of the Victoria West Regional Museum

Understand
One can stop almost anywhere in the Karoo and listen to the silence, breathe in the aged earth and the Karoo Bossies (which conjures up the taste of Karoo lamb!), and gaze at a startlingly clear horizon that seems drawn at the other end of the earth. The Karoo’s clear night sky is densely studded with countless stars and huge, bright planets; even other galaxies are visible with the naked eye, offering some of the best star-gazing in the world. Fossils of some of the earliest forms of one-celled life have been discovered in the Karoo, indicating that life has existed in this region for more than 3 billion years. The richness of predinosaur fossils in this region is world-renowned. To experience the magic of this area, you must venture off the N1 national road where you will discover eccentric little hamlets, sprawling farmsteads and historical towns populated by warm and welcoming people that love to share their stories and legends.

Tourism information offices

 * Blue Crane Route Tourism Office, +27 42 243 1448, bluecranetourism@gmail.com
 * Graaff-Reinet Tourism Office, +27 49 892-4248, info@graaffreinet.co.za.
 * Nieu Bethesda Tourism Bureau, +27 79 070-8988.

By plane
There are two airports located in close proximity to the Karoo. The closest is the Port Elizabeth airport which is 162 km from the Karoo. The East London airport is 256 km away. There are regular flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and other South African destinations to the airports in Port Elizabeth and East London.

By car
The Karoo is easily accessible by motorways from Cape Town (717 km), Durban (815 km), and Bloemfontein (453 km). You could also drive in from Johannesburg (1014 km) or Port Elizabeth (250 km). The road conditions are fairly good if you are coming from any of these cities.

By bus
All major South African coach companies offer regular schedules to and from destinations like Addo.

Do
The Karoo is an outstanding choice for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, swimming in natural pools, horseback riding, 4x4, quad-biking and fossils trails or walks For the nature lovers there are 235 bird species to identify and a wealth of plant life to discover. Other adventures include fly-fishing, golf, malaria free safari and hunting operations. Annual events include the Castle Lager Biltong Festival, the Spring Rose & Flower show, and the Bruintjieshoogte Cycle Tour & Bruintjieshoogte - ADD Marathon race between Pearston & Somerset East.

Game viewing
The Camdeboo National Park has 24 km of gravel road that offer tourists a chance to sight Buffalo, Red Hartebeest, Eland, Gemsbok, Springbok, Blesbok, Ostrich and Black Wildebeest. The park supports a diverse spectrum of wildlife including 43 mammal species, of which 13 are carnivores. Also located in the Karoo area is the Kamala Game Reserve, a Big 5 reserve that is situated at the confluence of the high Bruinjieshoogte and Boschberg mountain ranges.



Eat
Karoo lamb is widely known in the whole of South Africa, and is a must if you visit Karoo.

Drink
Drink a lot of water during the hot summer month from November to March. Make sure you have enough water on board when travelling around.

Buy
Nieu Bethesda does not having filling stations, and the shops and restaurants accept cash only. Colesberg and De aar are one of the most popular and biggest cities in the Karoo. Hanover and birtstown the two smallest towns in the Karoo they lie on the N1 and N2.

Connect
Local telephone directory: 1023

International telephone directory: 10903

Ambulance: Tel: 10177 or +27 49 891-0356

Police: Tel: 10111

Fire Station: Tel: +27 49 892-2121 or +27 82 853-7036

Go next

 * Addo
 * Baviaans
 * Grahamstown
 * Jeffreys Bay
 * St Francis
 * Sunshine Coast
 * Tsitsikamma