|
 |
KAROO HEARTLAND - EASTERN CAPE
|
|
|
|
|
Karoo Heartland, Eastern Cape:
The Karoo - South Africa's vast central plateau, is a land of wide open skies and, for
many South Africans, the true heart of the country. As an enviro-tourism destination, the
Karoo is unsurpassed, with scenery that changes from dramatic, rugged mountains to arid,
open plains. Malaria free game viewing, mountaineering, hunting, farm visits,
bird-watching, water sports - they're all here, alongside imposing historical buildings,
mysterious rock art and ancient fossils.
Discover the endless silence of this semi-desert, gaze into the night sky were the stars
all seem so close that the Karoo is considered the world's best stargazing destination. |
|
|
|
|
|
KAROO HEARTLAND DESTINATIONS
|
|
 CRADOCK
|
|
 Cradock: Lying on the banks of the Great
Fish River, on the site of what was intended as a Boer fort to contain the Xhosa who
competed for grazing grounds for their cattle in this part of the Cape, is the historical
town of Cradock - a serene but typical Karoo farming town. Cradock is regarded today as
the ... more » Cradock |
|
|
|
 Graaff-Reinet: The
oldest town in the Eastern
Cape and the fourth oldest in South
Africa and certainly one of the most atmospheric, Graaff Reinet lies enclosed by a
bend in the Sundays River, overshadowed by the Sneeuberg Mountain within the Camdeboo
Park. With 200 buildings .... more » Graaff-Reinet Info |
|
MIDDELBURG |
|
 Middelburg: Lying in
the middle of the Karoo, surrounded by mountains in an area recognised for its prolific
and naturally occurring herbal plant life, San rock art and a scenic beauty beyond
description, Middelburg is and isn’t like other Karoo towns. In a way that is very
much like other towns ... more about » Middelburg |
|
|
|
 Nieu-Bethesda: The fame
of this tiny village rests on the work of Helen Martins, who created an eccentric artistic
genre which was largely unrecognised during her lifetime. The Owl House was the setting
for Athol Fugard's play "The Road to Mecca." Visitors from all over travel to
Nieu-Bethesda to view .... more about » Nieu-Bethesda |
|
|
|
 Apart from its beautifully preserved buildings that are worth a visit in
their own right, Somerset East is perhaps best known because it is on the Blue Crane Route
in the Eastern Cape. This picturesque and quaint town is at the foot of the Boschberg
Mountains that provide both a forested and mountainous ... more » Somerset East Info |
|
|
|
 The little town of Steytlerville, with its wide streets - originally to
allow ox wagons to turn around - is exceptionally beautiful and worth a visit for this
reason as well as the richness of local game and bird life. It lies in the Baviaans
Wilderness area in the shadow of the Winterhoek Mountains ... more » Steytlerville |
|
|
|
 Just outside the town of Tarkastad rest two distinct flat-topped hills,
aptly named Martha and Mary - they sit like two heavy women on a stoep, weary from a
day’s hard work awaiting the return of men from the fields and indeed, the first
farmers settled here in 1795, hence the existence of old watermills, inns and ... more » Tarkastad Info |
|
|
KAROO HEARTLAND ATTRACTIONS
|
|
CAMDEBOO NATIONAL PARK |
|
 Camdeboo National Park: Formed hundreds of
millions of years ago, the Karoo of South
Africa is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Camdeboo National Park
provides the visitor with insights into the unique landscape and ecosystem of the Karoo as
well as splendid scenic beauty. An .... more » Camdeboo
National Park |
|
MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NATIONAL
PARK |
|
| Mountain Zebra National Park: The
scenic Mountain Zebra National Park is more than 6 000 ha where the scenery varies from
grass-covered plateau to wooded ravines. The park provides a sanctuary for the rare Cape
Mountain Zebra, as well as herds of eland, springbok, kudu, black wildebeest .... more » Mountain
Zebra National Park |
|
VALLEY OF DESOLATION |
|
 Just a few
kilometres north-west of Graaff-Reinet lies the Valley of Desolation. A steep and narrow
road leads into the mountains that surround the valley. A circular hiking trail starts at
the car parks and leads to wonderful views of Graaff-Reinet and of the endless expanse of
the surrounding ... more » Valley of
Desolation |
|
« Eastern Cape
Restaurants | South Africa Game
Reserves » |
|
|
|
;)
;)
;)
