Ready to Visit Klein Karoo? This is the Only One-Week Itinerary You Need

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One of the most unique landscapes in South Africa is the semi-arid deserts that make up the center of the country. Wedged between the majestic Swartberg Mountains, south of the Great Karoo, and just north from the Langeberg-Outeniqua mountains bordering the Indian Ocean, is the mesmerizing Klein Karoo, meaning Little Karoo.

A visit to this diverse area feels a bit like moving back in time. Though first inhabited by the Khoi-San people, the European explorers have frequented this area since the 18th century, leaving their mark on the landscape and the architecture of the Klein Karoo.

Towns like Montagu, Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn have museums, art galleries, and cultural sites to explore. And if that’s not enough, the area also boasts an amazing array of natural sights, from the world-famous Cango Caves to the biodiverse Swartberg Nature Reserve, and stunning mountain passes.

We recommend a one-week itinerary for visiting Klein Karoo. We’ve made sure to include recommendations of well-known places as well as tips from locals that will dramatically change your experience.

How to get to the Klein Karoo

As is often the case in South Africa, public transport between places is limited. Klein Karoo used to have railways, back in the day when ostrich feather trade was rife in this area. Nowadays, the railways are not operational anymore, and bus connections are scarce. Absolutely the best way to get around is to hire a car and explore Klein Karoo at your own pace.

If you’re traveling to South Africa from overseas, it’s best to fly to Cape Town from where the drive to Klein Karoo is much shorter than from Johannesburg. This way you also have the chance to travel along the R62, an inland route favored by locals and visitors alike. Check out this post for the best ways to get to Cape Town depending on where you’re coming from.

Day 1: Reaching Klein Karoo from Cape Town, via R62

The provincial road R62 links Cape Town in the Western Cape to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Along this scenic route, you’ll find quaint farming villages and historic towns that are just a world of fun on their own. But South African ever stops there: you’ll get to experience views of rolling hills, yellow and red stone formations, and vast, open skies.

Vineyards and historic towns along R62

After leaving Cape Town, you’ll cross over the stunning Du Toits Kloof mountain pass and pass by Robertson, one of the most famous wine regions in the Western Cape. After that, you will then officially reach Klein Karoo when arriving in Montagu.

I’d recommend staying in Montagu to enjoy some of the many fun things to do here. Go wine tasting, visit a dried fruit factory, or explore museums such as Montagu Museum or Joubert House, places where you can get acquainted with the traditional lifestyles of people who lived here in the past. Rock climbing is also a big thing in Montagu, and there are wonderful hikes in the bordering Langeberg Mountains.

For accommodation, we recommend the four-star Montagu Country Hotel, or the mid-range Mountain View Eco Lodge Montagu.

Day 2: Orchards in Barrydale and Warmwaterberg Spa

The next stop in our journey into Klein Karoo is Barrydale, a town known for its countryside charm and beautiful nature. Barrydale is close to the stunning Tradouw mountain pass, and we recommend driving along this pass a little distance to take in its green hills of indigenous fynbos vegetation.

Fynbos is a vegetation type endemic to the Western Cape, and it is known for its diversity of flowering plants that supports a large variety of insects, birds, and other life. You can also explore the nearby Zuurberg Nature Reserve to immerse yourself in the fynbos more intimately if you’ve decided you want to know even more (or maybe just try South African foods which often sometimes feature fynbos).

Barrydale area is known for its export of fruits such as apricots, pears, and plums. It is especially beautiful in the spring, when all the orchards are in blossom. Of course, spring is also when you’ll find most of the wildflowers of the Klein Karoo in colorful bloom.

After a day of hiking and taking in the natural sights around Barrydale, you might enjoy staying over at Warmwaterberg Spa, a resort located between Barrydale and Ladismith where you can relax in the warm waters of a hot mineral spring.

Day 3: Ladismith, Calitzdorp, and a side trip to Van Wyksdorp

Driving further into Klein Karoo, Ladismith is worth a stop to visit some lovely shops selling local cheese (such as Parmalat dairy store), fruit and wines. The area is surrounded by stunning hiking trails where you can view habitats endemic to the semi-arid areas of Western Cape: fynbos with its diversity of shrubs and flowers, and succulent Karoo vegetation.

When you arrive in the next town, make a stop at Calitzdorp Museum to admire the wide range of artifacts, or you can view art at Kruisrivier Gallery. A walking tour allows you to take in the interesting architecture of Calitzdorp, reflecting several historical time periods.

If you’d prefer a more relaxing experience, one of the best things to do in Klein Karoo is an olive and wine tasting at Du’SwaRoo Wine and Olive Farm near Calitzdorp. South Africa’s great wine regions don’t stop at Stellenbosch and Franschhoek – there are plenty of other stunning warm farms that you’ll be glad you made time for.

If your schedule allows, you could take a drive to Van Wyksdorp, along Rooiberg Pass with its dramatic views. Van Wyksdorp with its dirt roads has the atmosphere of the last century. You could stay overnight here before returning to Calitzdorp to continue on to Oudtshoorn. Stay at the more luxurious Rooiberg Lodge, or visit Ricky’s Drift, a vegan farm and animal sanctuary that also offers accommodation.

Day 4: Explore the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn is the capital town of Klein Karoo. At the C.P. Nel Museum, you’ll learn about the history of ostrich feather trade in this part of South Africa. If you want to view wildlife, visit the nearby Cango Wildlife Ranch. You don’t have to go on safari in South Africa to experience incredible wildlife.

Oudtshoorn also offers quite a bit in the way of restaurants and nightlife. There are several dishes in South Africa that you’ll want to try –  if you eat meat. The ones that you shouldn’t miss are the special South African mince dish bobotie, and an ostrich steak. You’ll find a good selection of these at the Nostalgie Restaurant in Oudtshoorn.

If you’re not a carnivore, we can confirm that they also serve vegetarian dishes. In the evening, if you feel like a night out, head over to Q-Bar Lounge & Deck for cocktails and live music.

As for accommodation, if you’re looking for something more high-end, consider De Zeekoe Guest Farm. Or, for a more nature-bound experience, AfriCamps Klein Karoo offers great accommodation in well-fitted, glamping-style tents.

Day 5: Natural sights of the Klein Karoo

When driving through the vast plains of the Klein Karoo, you could imagine how, up until a few hundreds years ago, these plains were filled with roaming herds of wildlife. Although cattle, goats, and sheep have largely taken the place of the historic migrating herds, you can still spot wildlife while driving or during your hikes.

Keep your eyes open for animals like springbok, zebra, aardvark and porcupine. As to vegetation, if you’re visiting in winter, you may be lucky enough to see the aloes in bloom, or even to spot their red flowers against the dramatic backdrop of snow-covered mountain peaks. 

Cango Caves

On your fifth day, drive north from Oudtshoorn to visit Cango Caves. This cave system was carved out of the limestone by rainwater some 20 million years ago. Now a National Monument, Cango Caves is a mesmerizing, awe-inspiring place that silences the observer into deep respect for these underground places that humans historically called home.

Swartberg Nature Reserve in Gamkaskloof Valley (Die Hel)

Gamkaskloof Valley, also known as Die Hel, is an ecologically and culturally rich place, located within the Swartberg Nature Reserve. This nature reserve contains beautiful diverse nature as well as many caves with ancient San rock art. It is reachable by driving to the top of the Swartberg Pass and taking the only road in.

In Gamkaskloof Valley, you can visit the community of Die Hel that lived here isolated for a hundred years, and you can stay over in one of the 11 historical guest cottages.

Travel tip: Bring enough fuel and food with you. There are no shops or petrol stations in this location.

Day 6: Take a drive over Swartberg Pass to the Great Karoo

Should you wish to pop over to the Great Karoo, you would continue on over the pass towards Prince Albert. But first, enjoy the gorgeous views from the top towards both the Klein and the Great Karoo. On the way down, I would very much recommend that you drive slowly as the road is narrow and slippery, especially in rainy weather.

You can spot towering rock formations, and you might see ravens soaring in the sky between the tall, rocky outcrops, or baboons navigating the mountainsides with ease. It truly is a wondrous sight to behold.

Culture and slow life in Prince Albert

Prince Albert just on the other side of Swartberg Pass has a laid-back atmosphere. It’s a wonderful place to admire architecture from the 19th century. There are lovely farm stalls and galleries to explore, and Lazy Lizard on the main road is definitely one of the most loved restaurants and gift shops in the town. The pies and cakes at Lazy Lizard are excellent – and they have plenty of other South African desserts on offer).

Fransie Pienaar Museum in Prince Albert is also worth a visit, with its local historical exhibits, including some fossils.

Day 7: Visit a piece of Eden in the Klein Karoo, Numbi Valley

I would recommend driving back to the Klein Karoo via another pass crossing the Swartberg Mountains called Meiringspoort in order to view its beautiful river and a waterfall.

For a truly unique, down-to-earth experience, stay a few days at Numbi Valley Permaculture Farm. This piece of land has been developed into a green piece of paradise, sprung up from the sandy soils of this farm between red stone hills. You can pick food from the garden, have a hot bath under the stars, and sleep in a beautiful handmade cob cottage.

De Rust nearby is a quaint town with artistic people and lovely restaurants as well as great accommodation if you need it. On the way back towards Oudtshoorn, Doornkraal Padstal is one of the best places to buy products that are characteristic to the Klein Karoo, such as dried fruit, olive oil, wine and rusks.

After your week in the Karoo

If you wish to extend your trip a little more, and have a capable car, you might want to take an adventurous drive through Baviaanskloof to the east of the Klein Karoo. In this mega reserve you may just spot buffalos, leopards, rhinos and eland, and you would eventually come out near Port Elizabeth.

You could also leave Klein Karoo by continuing along the R62 via Langkloof, or by driving south from Oudtshoorn over Outeniqua Pass, to George and the Indian Ocean beyond. This way, you could take the coastal route back to Cape Town where there is plenty to do – you’ll need our itinerary for the ultimate week in Cape Town!

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