Home. Central Karoo

Central Karoo

Central Karoo

The Central Karoo is one of the world´s most unique arid zones. In South Africa it stands alone, globally it is an envied rarity. The Karoo, the Hottentot word for dry thirst land, is considered a wonder of the scientific world. Some of the world´s most important archaeological sites are located in the Central Karoo, particularly the Beaufort West and Nelspoort areas with their multitude of stone-age sites and Bushman petroglyths. The plains and mountains are home to game animals that make of the Central Karoo an outpost of nature where man´s intrusion is still but a light touch.

Many famous people of South African history have links with the Karoo. Among them are South African writer Olive Schreiner and her husband Cron, once MP for Beaufort West, The country´s first premier, Sir john Charles Molteno, a scenic little pass built by Thomas Bain outside Beaufort West was named in his honor. But the Karoo is much more. It is an undiscovered world filled with wonderfully friendly folk in historic settlements and villages. Tourists are welcomed in tiny towns like Merweville, Nelspoort, Murraysburg and settlements like Matjiesfontein, a privately owned village and unique historic attraction.

Prince Albert at the foot of the mighty Swartberg Pass has its own architecture and particular tourism culture based on traditional food and unique experiences in guesthouses. The Karoo National Park is found north-south N1 on the doorstep of Beaufort West. Beaufort West has a variety of accommodation to meet any budget and for those who have a time to tarry a farm holiday in this unique world is an unforgettable experience.

Beaufort West

In its distant corner on the plains of the Great Karoo, the town of Beaufort West sits on the edge of the cradle of creation. The rocks in the magnificent vastness that enfold it to tell a story of hundreds of millions of years of evolution.

851 m Elevation
37092 Inhabitants
Location: In the Mountains

Beaufort West is situated conveniently between Cape Town and Johannesburg in the heart of the Great Karoo. It is a typical “platteland” (literally flat land) town with a rich romantic history. The Xam (Bushmen) once lived here and fine examples of their rock engravings can still be seen. The town has a collection of interesting architecture that can be enjoyed by strolling through its historic centre.

As the first municipality proclaimed in 1837, Beaufort West has the oldest Town Hall in the country. Today the town hall forms part of the museum which houses a display of awards presented to Professor Chris Barnard, the worlds first heart transplant surgeon. It also boasts a replica of the original heart transplant theatre. Prof Barnard was born and raised in Beaufort West. He is honoured in three buildings that make up the museum. His father, Reverend Adam Barnard, preached in the little yellow Dutch Reformed Mission church built in 1871. Today this church forms part of the museum. The pastorie is where Chris Barnard spent his childhood. Today, his ashes are interred here. Beaufort West is in the heart of the Karoo. Enjoy the space and splendour of the Karoo around this historic museum.

Click here to view Karoo National Park accommodation!

Prince Albert

Summer brings our Harvest Festival in November, the Olive Food and Wine Festival in April and a traditional German Oktoberfest.
Our festivals celebrate the produce of the region: apricots, peaches, nectarines, figs and olives; our delicious Karoo lamb; prize-winning cheese; locally grown wines and the delights of home cooking, baking and barbeques. Artists and crafters sell their wares, story tellers and musicians entertain. You can dance the evening away or attend a cabaret. Try your skill at spitting an olive pip, or take part in the half marathon or a cycle race. Join local experts on outings which reveal the secrets of the plants, the rocks and the land’s ancient history. In October we host a traditional German Oktoberfest in honour of HRH Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria.

600 m Elevation
7000 Inhabitants
Location: In the Mountains

You don’t have to wait for our festivals to discover Prince Albert’s specialities. Come and take an early morning ramble along "Gordon´s koppie", stroll to Gay’s Guernsey Dairy to taste the cheese, visit the Swartrivier Olive farm, see how figs are picked and dried, buy your home made preserves and dried fruit at our Saturday Market, join local experts on informal outings and walks, enjoy a long, cool drink and a slice of cake at our coffee shops, ask the hop-on-guide to show you round North-end, see the vintage car and gem collections, relax in the cool of the evening or hire a bike and take a ride round the village, watch the moon rise above the Great Karoo, sample summer menu’s at our restaurants and discover the peace which is Prince Albert.

Laingsburg

Laingsburg is on the N1 approximately half way between Beaufort West and Cape Town.

Laingsburg is the most geologically interesting area of the Central Karoo. It was almost destroyed by a flood in 1981, and traces of this devastating show of nature’s force can still be seen on some of the buildings. The area offers farm holiday venues and 4x4 routes. Interesting features of the town include the library, which hosts the Wolfaardt collection; the old Block House which was built during the Anglo Boer War and the Voortrekker Monument.

In 1981, exactly 100 years after the town was laid out, the Buffels River came down in flood and swept away two-thirds of Laingsburg, which has subsequently been re-built.

Courtesy: Satour 

Back to Top