KAROO

- KAROO- 


 

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The Karoo is a vast semi-arid desert region, bigger than Germany, stretching over the provinces of the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape. One could say the Karoo is South Africa’s very own magical version of the Australian Outback and similar in character to Arizona and Nevada in the US. It is made up of the Little Karoo, and the Great Karoo.

Wedged between two impressive mountain ranges, the Little Karoo is a strikingly beautiful 350km-long valley stretching from Montagu in the west to Uniondale in the east, and is virtually completely surrounded by mountains. The Little Karoo is noticeably greener and more fertile than the Great Karoo, and is home to the iconic Route 62, one of South Africa's most noteworthy roadtrip routes. Starting in Montagu and ending in Oudtshoorn, Route 62 winds its way through strikingly beautiful landscapes, hot springs, pretty towns, and is perfectly combined with a visit to the Garden Route. 


It is here in the Little Karoo, near Montagu, that the Travel Cafe is headquartered in a remarkable ecological reserve called Starry Starry Night, off the Langeberg mountain range with pristine natural pools. Please let us know if you would like to include 2 nights in this beautiful reserve during your visit to South Africa.


The Karoo may not appeal to trendy city lovers, but if you are in need of a place for retrospection and reflection and wish to rejuvenate your soul far from the hectic everyday city stress, the Karoo - with its a deafening silence, big skies ablaze at sunset and stars so brilliantly bright it seems you can simply reach up and pick them - is the place to go. Here you can explore off the beaten track on foot, horseback, mountain bike, 4x4 or canoe - and enjoy spectacular game viewing in reserves like Samara Game Reserve or the Karoo National Park.

Geologists, palaeontologists and botanists flock from all over the world to this fascinating countryside. With 40% of the plant life endemic to the region, some of the oldest dinosaur fossils in Africa and some of the most remarkable geological formations such as the Valley of Desolation, the region is any scientist’s dream. Historians will be delighted by the stunning rock paintings left by the Khoikhoi, or by visiting Graaff-Reinet, a beautiful colonial town which witnessed some of the key events of the Boer Wars, fought by the British and the Dutch-origin trekboers (itinerant farmers), many of whom ultimately formed the farming communities that still occupy the land.

As with many desert landscapes, the Karoo attracts creative souls. Karoo towns such as Prins Albert flow with creativity, from galleries and photography to weaving and food. Many internationally reputed artists have chosen the Karoo as their permanent home, such as the famous novelist Olive Schreiner from Matjiesfontein, or Helen Martins from Nieu Bethesda, one of the most prominent South African outsiders artists, who back in the 1960s turned her family home into the Owl House, what would become the Art Brut centre of the Karoo.

View sample itineraries to South Africa

Fast forward to more modern days, and the Karoo continues to fuel the beat of creativity through one of Africa’s most famous artistic collectives, Afrikaburn - an official Burning Man regional event. Every year crowds from across the globe head to the gorgeously barren Tankwa region of the Great Karoo to light up the night with fire, full-volume sounds and radically creative self-expression.


Despite all these attractions, we at The Travel Cafe feel the Karoo’s biggest magic is simply enjoying the wide-open spaces, sitting around a fire at night, breathing in the clean air while gazing at a sky dotted with billions of stars.

Each region is unique!

Click on the different regions below to find out more about the unique beauty each offers, and when the best time is to visit.

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 Itineraries to South Africa

- Best time to go to KAROO -

Best time to go to The Serengeti

Winter (June to September)


Winter is one of our favourite times to go to the Great and Little Karoo. This is the time when the aloes bloom and millions of bright red and orange flowers dot the otherwise stark landscapes with their crimson red flowers that transform the countryside.


Furthermore, during winter you are spared the summer heat that can be stiflingly hot, yet daytime temperatures are mostly mild and balmy, though evenings and early mornings are cold. The Karoo offers several hot springs, particularly enjoyable under the bright blue skies of a cool winter’s day, it is a great way to unwind.


The winter months are also often the best for game-viewing or even photography and the early afternoon sunlight coming in at a lower angle in the sky is simply spectacular. What’s more, generally clear skies at night mean excellent stargazing.




Spring (September to November) and Autumn (March to May)


The transition months are some of the most beautiful and underrated, both in terms of weather and activities. Daytime temperatures are typically milder than in summer, although the mercury begins to drop at sunset. We recommend a combination of warm-weather clothing and long-sleeved layers for the evenings.


Springtime will bring the spring flowers and thus usually stark landscape will be entirely covered with a carpet of colours, flowers ranging from yellow to orange to pink is an absolute treat for the eyes. During spring the weather is very similar to autumn, except that the days start to get longer and the temperatures warmer as summer approaches. This is an ideal time for game-viewing, as many antelope have their young and the rains return. Autumn is also when Afrikaburn takes place (usually towards the end of April), one of Africa’s most iconic and creative events.




Summer (December to February)


Summer is our least favourite season to visit the Karoo purely due to the heat, with temperatures routinely reaching over 35ºC / 95º F. Expect hot sunny days with the occasional afternoon thunderstorm, which makes for stunning light and great photographic opportunities. Rain is however very rare, and the area has suffered draught for many years in a row, which the ostrich farmers will be happy to elaborate about when you visit one of their fascinating farms. Sunscreen is a must, as the African sun can be very harsh even for darker skin tones. Since the Karoo is a semi-arid area, the temperature drops off significantly once the sun goes down, so we recommend a fleece and light jacket once dusk has fallen.
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