Prince Albert, Karoo

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Prince Albert, Karoo

Prince Albert
Prince Albert, Little Karoo

Once you've booked your Prince Albert accommodation explore our pages for info on attractions and what to do in Prince Albert.

Prince Albert had its origins in 1762 when a loan farm named Kweeckvalleij "the valley of cultivation and plenty" was established in a green and fertile valley at the foot of the awesome Swartberg Mountains. Today, the town is one of the prettiest in the country - a place of great serenity and charm, with beautiful architecture, fascinating flora and fauna and great Karoo hospitality.

Just 2 kms from the foot of the awesome Swartberg Pass, Prince Albert is the perfect base for exploring the wonders of the Swartberg including Gamkaskloof (The Hell) and Meiringspoort. Hiking, mountain biking, birding and botanical excursions are major attractions. Aside from a superb climate, with a high sunshine index and spectacular night skies, the village itself is a small gem, with beautifully preserved Cape Dutch, Karoo and Victorian buildings. Of these, 19 are National Monuments. Prince Albert is known for its sun-ripened fresh and dried fruit, especially figs and apricots. Karoo lamb, olives, olive oil and homemade cheeses are local delicacies.

Seweweekspoort near Prince Albert, Little Karoo
Activities for visitors include a guided historical walk through the town, a well marked "koppie trail" with almost 100 listed plants, fossil hunting and stargazing, a tractor trail to the olive farm, traditional Karoo meals and a visit to the delightful Fransie Pienaar Museum - and there is ample hotel and guesthouse accommodation to suit all preferences and pockets.

Prince Albert is well situated for overnight stops from Gauteng, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. The Garden Route resorts and beaches are two hours south by road. Oudtshoorn, the Cango Caves and the Karoo National Park are just an hour away.

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Prince Albert Reviews

average visitor rating: 4/5"Delicious Karoo Seldom do we leave home without padkos and the start of our trip to the Karoo was no exception. However, when a journey begins with ..." - Nikki Brighton, Dargle

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Featured Attractions in (or near) Prince Albert

Anysberg Nature Reserve

Anysberg Nature Reserve lies in the Little Karoo between Ladismith, Laingsburg, Touwsrivier and Montagu, and is approximately four hours drive from Cape Town. The Anysberg reserve offers the visitor some of the most striking scenery in the Karoo as well as fascinating wildlife and plants and various ... more information

Bontebok National Park

Sheltered by the Langeberg Mountains and bordered to the south by the Breede River, the Bontebok National Park provides a refuge for not only bontebok, but also for other species such as the Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest and grey rhebok. The park is situated within the Cape Floral ... more information

Bosluiskloof Pass

On the road between Laingsburg and the Gamkapoort Dam lies Bosluiskloof Pass, one of a number of beautiful passes in the area. There are views from some of the higher parts of the pass out over a series of mountain ranges that are absolutely incredible. Bosluiskloof Pass can be reached from the northern end of ... more information

Gamkapoort Dam

The Gamkapoort Dam lies on the Gamka River, near Prince Albert in the Karoo. Which might position it in your mind geographically, but does nothing to describe or capture the beauty of this part of the country - a landscape that lies in the heart of the Swartberg, where you are completely away ... more information

Gamkapoort Nature Reserve

Gamkapoort Nature Reserve lies to the north of the Swartberg Nature Reserve, whilst Towerkop Nature Reserve lies to the west. Together, they form part of the Greater Swartberg Protected Area, a World Heritage Site that lies between the Great and Little Karoos. This part of the Karoo is a huge swathe of mountainous ... more information

Kammanassie Nature Reserve

Lying in the Little Karoo between the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains, lies an inselberg or monadnock - an isolated hill or small mountain that rises abruptly from the surrounding plain - called Kammanassie Mountain. The entire mountain catchment area, and a large portion of state land, make up almost ... more information

Klein Karoo Wine Estates

The dry, harsh conditions of the Klein Karoo are actually ideal for the production of excellent wines. The summers are very hot and dry, while winters can hit major lows. The range of wines produced here is extremely varied as a result of this unique climate, and includes many wonderful ... more information

Marloth Nature Reserve

Lying just three kilometres from the pretty little town of Swellendam, the Marloth Nature Reserve conserves the central Langeberg Mountains that lie between the towns of Swellendam, Ashton, Barrydale and Suurbraak. The Marloth Nature reserve includes what residents of Swellendam call ... more information

Meiringspoort

Soaring cliff walls with spectacular rock formations line the 25 km tarred road which winds along the floor of the gorge, crossing the Groot River 25 times. Entry to the poort is via Klaarstroom, 55 kms east of Prince Albert en route to Oudtshoorn and the coast. Hardy plants cling to the precarious ... more information

Rooinek Pass

Perhaps because of the connotations of its name, the Rooinek Pass in the mountains around Laingsburg does look a little sunbleached, and wild (rooinek is the Afrikaans for 'red neck' meaning an English speaking South African, usually of British descent; it alludes to the sunburnt necks of the average ... more information

Seweweekspoort Pass

Seweweekspoort, or Seven Weeks Poort, is a rugged mountain ravine that lies just at the start of the Klein Swartberge near Towerkop Nature Reserve. The ravine or poort is a combination of some of the most beautiful vertical rock folds in the country that combine to form a narrow little pass through which a road winds. The ... more information

Swartberg Nature Reserve

The Swartberg Nature Reserve lies in the Oudtshoorn district between the Great Karoo and Little Karoo, bordered by the Gamka River in the west and the Uniondale / Willowmore road in the east. The Swartberg Reserve encompasses 121,000 heactares of mostly state-owned land. Gamkapoort ... more information

Swartberg Pass

The 27km Swartberg Pass is considered one of the finest mountain passes in the world: an untarred road that winds to the summit 1583 metres above sea level in steep zigzags and sudden switchbacks with breathtaking views at every turn. The road is supported in places by hand-packed stone walls, a ... more information

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Things To Do in Prince Albert

Art After Dark Show Tour

Where: Prince Albert
How much (per person): R1 to R100

Hennie Boshoff returned to South Africa after a 30 year spell abroad, where he made a name for himself as consultant to renowned names in th ... more information

Prince Albert Farmers Market

Where: Prince Albert
How much (per person): Free to Browse

The Prince Albert Market was resurrected in 1998 and has been a Saturday morning favourite since then. The market takes place on the square ... more information

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Restaurants in Prince Albert

African Relish Cooking School

Where: Prince Albert

African Relish is a recreational cooking school situated in the historic village of Prince Albert in the Great Karoo. We offer the fun of cooking and the experience of learning about South African cul ... more information

Breakfast at Café Albert

Where: Prince Albert

Come and sit on our verandah, listen to the water gurgling past in the water furrow, watch the passers-by and tune into Prince Albert 's friendly vibe. Or in winter, sit inside the coffee shop round ... more information

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Events and/or Festivals in Prince Albert

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South Africa is one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world. With eight world heritage sites, a multitude of game reserves and national parks, over 1350 ha of national botanical gardens, and exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and culture, South Africa offers the traveller a unique and inspiring experience. To start planning your holiday click here to find accommodation in South Africa. Enjoy your stay in Prince Albert!
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