The Karoo Heartland has changed from a sheep farming outback to the new hip, as the powerful magnet of beautiful starry skies, wide open spaces, austere but intense scenery and quaint farming towns steeped in history, are experienced as a wonderful escape from the city. Windmills are iconic, as is the arid vegetation, but now Karoo towns have been transformed by artists, hoteliers, and restaurateurs seeking a lifestyle other than that offered by the country’s cities. They leave their mark with mouth-watering food, great accommodation and wonderful galleries. The Karoo Heartland has eco-tourism attractions in abundance, plenty of fossils, San Rock Art and thousands of species of succulents that make the region a paradise for botanists.
Towns of the Karoo Heartland
Graaff-Reinet is one of the oldest towns in South Africa is full of beautifully restored and maintained churches and examples of old Cape Dutch architecture – all heritage homes, making Graaff-Reinet nothing less than a ‘living museum’. Outside of the town, nature beckons. Backed by the Sneeuberg Mountains and surrounded by the Camdeboo National Park and the more arid semi-desert beyond, Graaff-Reinet is a scenic oasis in an awe-inspiring landscape that offers many opportunities for outdoor leisure and adventure activities. Don’t miss the Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park.
Hidden away for many years in a valley close to Graaff-Reinet, the peculiarly charming little village of Nieu-Bethesda is today a haven for artists and those whose souls thrive on breath-taking scenery and country simplicity. Set in a lush valley fed by the Gats river and a mountain spring, the town presents a cool, green contrast to the surrounding Karoo landscape. Visit the Frans Boekkoi Sculpture Studio, the Kitching Fossil Exploration Centre…and a mad little spot called The Owl House. The Owl house is Nieu-Bethesda’s most famous attraction, and a one in a million art experience.
Middelburg, a sheep farming community situated on the western end of the beautiful R56 route to the Eastern Free State, Lesotho and Kwazulu-Natal. With a mountain backdrop, plenty of water, prolific natural herbal plant life and big starry skies, Middelburg is a tranquil spot. It is known for fossil finds, San rock art, game farms that offer year round game viewing and hunting during hunting season, hiking and horse trails and all manner of eco activities. The Middelburg Agricultural Show, with the very popular horse championships also attracts many visitors.
Hofmeyr is an ideal place to stop over, if you are driving from Johannesburg, via Bloemfontein to the Addo Elephant Park, Port Elizabeth or even Graaff-Reinet. This little town, only 60km from Cradock and 40km from Steynsburg, has the beautiful Bamboes Mountain Range as a backdrop. Surrounded by hunting and sheep farms, Hofmeyr boasts restored farmhouses, wide open spaces, clear star studded skies and access to an incredible variety of succulents. Make a turn at the Karoobos farm stall which offers a farm-style breakfast, a variety of homemade pies and plenty eat or take with you.
Queenstown which lies on the Komani River, is renowned for its roses and pretty surrounds, with the Hangklip Mountain as a backdrop. It is the commercial centre for the local farmers with good amenities and shops. The town itself has a number of attractions including the Memorial Gardens, Walter Everitt Park, JC Marshall Gallery, The Ruth Lock Shell Art Gallery, The Frontier Museum, Queens Casino and Queens College. It is an ideal base from which to explore the many local game and nature reserves which are set in beautiful scenery or enjoy water sports at Bongolo Dam or hiking at the Berry Reservoir.
Aberdeen is considered an architectural conservation town with many interesting, well preserved examples of colonial architecture. See the leaning church tower, an olive from the Garden of Gethsemane and a unique collection of biblical wall hangings. The well-kept cemetery is a telling testimony to the Anglo Boer War. Aberdeen has attracted artists who love the tranquillity and feel of the town, including Carlos de Souza, whose intricately decoupaged ostrich eggs have found a home throughout the world.
Cradock has scenic location in the upland, mountainous part of the Karoo and is lucky to have ample water to support a thriving agricultural industry. Settled early, the pretty town has the Great Fish River Museum and Schreiner House, home of the famous South African authoress, who, amongst many other literary works, wrote “Story of an African Farm”. Expect charming buildings, great locally produced food and farmer hospitality. Visit the natural sulphur springs at the Cradock Spa and the Mountain Zebra National Park just north of the town in the mountains.
Dordrecht is a farming area blessed with excellent grazing – ideal for sheep, cattle and horse studs. Tourism has also taken off since the Freedom Mountain Bike Endurance Trail on the R56 passed through Dordrecht as it did not take long for visitors to realise Dordrecht had much on offer. The pretty town, with its historic buildings, is surrounded by the well wooded, tranquil Dordrecht Kloof. The Kranskop hiking trail is well worth the effort. Dordrecht is also well known for its trout fishing and pheasant and game hunting. The summers are mild, but the winters are cold, often with snow.
Somerset East in the Eastern Cape is typical of a town settled in the early days of South African history. The beauty, excellent grazing, wildlife and ample water in this malaria free area were too much for the early settlers to resist. Somerset East has plenty of homes still standing from the early 1800’s and is a microcosm of life at that time – the old officers mess has been converted into the famous Walter Batiss Museum. The town backs onto the beautiful Boschberg Nature Reserve which has game, hikes and an excellent 9 hole golf course. There are many other eco-tourism attractions including waterfalls, hunting, bird watching, hiking, fly fishing and mountain biking.
Jansenville is a typical Karoo town, with vast open spaces, clear night skies and a friendly farming community. This is the typical Noorsveld with its distinctive spiky plants, an environment very friendly to Angora goats, Boer goats and sheep which thrive in what is now the centre of the mohair industry. Jansenville has numerous game farms and hunting concessions, attracting local and foreign clientele and is close to the Addo Elephant National Park. The restored Sid Fourie House, an art deco building, serves as a museum and offers an interesting diversion to visitors.
Tarkastad another early farming settlement retains a lot of its former charm and architectural integrity. Tarka is also well known for its roses and autumn is stunning, with thousands of poplar trees turning gold. Scientists have stated that Tarkastad has one of the healthiest climates in the world. Tarkastad is close to Tsolwana Nature Reserve which offers some of the best game viewing opportunities in the Eastern Cape. Thrift Dam is a legend amongst fly fishers, challenging but very rewarding and not far from town. Hiking is an increasingly popular pastime in this magnificent mountain scenery.
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