Karoo Accommodation Karoo Activities Karoo Information

Karoo Heartland on Facebook

Karoo Accommodation Karoo Activities Karoo Information

Karoo Crawl to Adventure

  • Discover the unsurpassed grandeur of the Karoo Heartland, the vast plains, majestic mountains and champagne air.
  • Do see the unusual in picturesque Karoo towns steeped in history and intrigue.
  • Explore off the beaten track - on foot, horseback, mountain bike, 4x4 or canoe!
  • Awesome mountaineering and paragliding await the adventurous.
  • Enjoy spectacular game viewing and bird watching. Visit game and nature reserves, farms and fascinating museums.
  • Crystal clear starry nights.
  • View bushman engravings and fossil collections.
  • Savour succulent Karoo cuisine.
  • Sleep in Victorian guesthouses or even old slave quarters.
  • Unique entertainment and events!
  • Succumb to the spirit of the Karoo Heartland.
  • You will be back for more!

Featured Activities in the Karoo Heartland (Click for More Info)

  • Thembalethu Safaris
    We are a family concern that was founded in the early 80’s mainly for local hunters. Situated in the mountain range above the Noorsveld, the flora mainly consists of Spekboom, Pruimboom, aloes, cycads and Witgat boom.
  • Kuzuko Lodge - Big Five Game Reserve
    Also known as the “Place of Glory”, Kuzuko Lodge is built high upon a hill in a private section of the northern part of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park. It is here where breathtaking views from your private veranda are complemented by luxurious chalets and warm, attentive service. This unique & glorious place is the perfect venue whether for a Family Breakaway, Romantic Weekend, Conference, Teambuild, Gala Event or Wedding.
  • Nieu-Bethesda Guest Farm & Excursions
    Give us one day and we will give you 280 million years! Guided farm tours including, Boer war engravings, Bushman paintings and engravings, Woolshed, Fossil and Artifact museum, Fossil walk with sunset drinks. Learn about medicinal plants and meet the meerkats!
  • Karoo River Rafting and Cabins
    Set in the stunning surrounds of the Karoo, this perfect farm get-away combines the breathtaking beauty of the veld, expansive horizons, blue-grey mountains, wide-open skies and all-year round exciting river rafting. Perched on the banks of the Great Brak River at the confluence of the Teebus, this idyllic spot offers inviting accommodation and first class facilities.

Featured Accommodation in the Karoo Heartland (Click for More Info)

  • Angler and Antelope
    Convenient for the heart of town but in a quiet area is the Angler and Antelope guest house. This is an attractive base for anglers who would like to take advantage of the great fishing opportunities to be found in the Somerset East area. Alan is a registered guide and has access to various private fishing locations.
  • Die Tuishuise
    Die Tuishuise consist of 30 refurbished Karoo style cottages ideally located in Market Street, Cradock. Die Tuishuise have been awarded the coveted "Simon van der Stel" Gold Medal for restoration.
  • Lowlands Country House & Manor
    Lowlands Estate is a beautiful sheep, cattle and pecan nut farm on the Fish River 30 minutes North of Cradock. A wide variety of activities for guests to enjoy include canoeing, river rafting, bird watching, mountain climbing or just relaxing in tranquil and comfortable surroundings while enjoying traditional Karoo hospitality. We are child friendly and children are welcome to explore and enjoy farm life.
  • Thembalethu Safaris
    Situated in the fascinating Noorsveld, Thembalethu Safaris absolutely abounds with game and is a perfect weekend getaway or holiday destination for the game lover or for a camera safari. Encompassing about 6,500 hectares, there are numerous hiking opportunities and 4x4 or 4x2 tracks from which to view the game.
  • The Owlhouse Backpackers
    A quiet, cosy lodge in an established Nieu Bethesda garden, the Owlhouse Backpackers reflects one of its previous lives as the Buddist meditation centre. Take with a dip with the goldfish in the dam, hire bikes to explore Nieu Bethesda or hike in the surrounding Sneeuberg Mountains.
  • Glen Avon Farm
    Glen Avon Farm, near the historic little town of Somerset East in South Africa's malaria-free Eastern Cape, lies at the foot of Boschberg Mountain and provides a perfect environment for a farm holiday.
  • Haaspoort Private Nature Reserve
    Nestled in the Winterhoek Mountains of the Eastern Cape, Haaspoort Bushcamp and Private Nature Reserve captures the serenity and beauty of the Karoo. The Bushcamp is situated on a 2000-hectare malaria-free private game reserve, home to a large variety of wildlife and rare flora.
  • Willow Guest House
    Experience an important piece of South African history in this historic building with Victorian furniture, old world charm and unsurpassed hospitality. Ideally situated for stopovers when travelling from Gauteng to George the Willow Historic Guest House offers excellent comfortable accommodation and fine food in it's a la Carte Restaurant.

Featured Attractions in the Karoo Heartland (Click for More Info)

  • Urquhart House Museum Graaff Reinet
    The large erf at the southern extremity of Market Square, on which Urquhart House stands today, was granted in freehold to Johan Hendrik Greyling on 1 January 1806, which places it amongst the earliest plots transferred into private ownership.
  • Walter Battiss Art Museum, Somerset East
    In an official ceremony held in front of the white-gabled house in Paulet Street, Somerset East in 1981, Walter Whall Battiss bequeathed his collection of his own art works to "the people of Somerset East and South Africa."
  • Military History Museum Graaff Reinet
    The Military History Museum is the most recent addition to the Graaff-Reinet Museum Complex and was established in 2005.
  • Olive Schreiner House Museum, Cradock
    Olive Schreiner, the famous South African authoress, who amongst many other literary works, wrote "Story of an African Farm", lived in this house at 9 Cross Street in her youth, between 1867 – 1870.

Upcoming Events

  • Richmond hosts the 111th anniversary weekend of the Anglo Boer War with visits to historic sites,...
  • The annual Opening of the Hunting Season in Jansenville is on the first Friday of June 2013. The...
  • Enjoy two days of foot stomping entertainment, biltong and hundreds of tantalising stalls, while...
  • Going from strength to strength in its fourth successful year, the Karoo's youngest literary...
  • Schanskraal Estate (home to the Welbech Arabian Stud) has been chosen as the venue for the South...
  • October 25 2013 - Karoo Birding Weekend...
    The Sasol / Stretton’s Gin Karoo Birding Weekend will take place between 25 and 27 October...

Latest News

Website Design, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) by ZAWebs Designs | Web Hosting by ZAWebs Hosting