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TThe arid Klein Karoo (‘Little Karoo’) region of Western Cape province is home to many attractions just a short drive inland from the scenic Garden Route, which runs along the well-watered coastal plain south of the Karoo.
The Cango Caves, ostrich riding, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, the Klein Karoo Wine Route, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve and the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival are all good reasons to visit the area.
Regardless of whether you’re driving the Garden Route from Cape Town or Port Elizabeth, the Klein Karoo offers several detours north into the Cape Fold Belt mountains that are well worth exploring. The scenery is spectacular, and the locals in the small towns along the way are entertaining and welcoming.
A sparsely populated semi-desert, the Klein Karoo is a photographer’s playground, with spectacular sunsets that outline the contrasting landscape in stunning silhouette.
The Cango Caves are the only show caves in Africa that offer standard and adventure tours in English, Afrikaans, German and French. You can visit these splendid caverns filled with stalagmites, stalactites and millennia-old rock formations any day of the year except Christmas Day.
The small towns of the Klein Karoo offer visitors several alternative activities, too.
Outdshoorn, a 45-minute drive from George along the N12, is home to more ostriches than you could ever imagine. At the Cango Ostrich Show Farm, guests who weigh less than 75kg can ride the ostriches, while others are welcome to hand-feed these curious birds.
Art and history lovers should visit Uniondale for a tour of the town’s South African War (1899 to 1902) forts and art gallery.
Some of South Africa’s best ‘fortified wine’ (definitely not ‘port’, according to the European Union) now come from the town of Calitzdorp, 51 kilometres west of Outdshoorn. Visit Boplaas or De Krans to sample some of these delicious sweet vintages.
Other towns in the Klein Karoo worth visiting include Ladismith, De Rust and Dysselsdorp.
Did You Know?
TTravel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Oudtshoorn Info
Tel: +27 (0)44 279 2532
Email: info@oudtshoorn.com
Get around
Public transport in the Klein Karoo is very limited, so your best option is to rent a car at Cape Town International Airport of Port Elizabeth International Airport. This also gives you the freedom to explore whatever you want to, whenever you like.
Length of stay
Spend 3 days to a week exploring the Klein Karoo.
Where to stay
The town of George, south of the Klein Karoo on the Garden Route, offers a large variety of accommodation. There is also a range of guesthouses in Outdshoorn, Uniondale and Calitzdorp.
What's happening
The Klein Karoo National Arts Festival usually takes place in early April. Held in Oudtshoorn, the week-long festival features various exhibitions, dramatic productions, musical performances and discussions.
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