Karoo
One of the Western Cape’s finest attractions has to be the Karoo, which is split into the Klein (Little) and Central Karoo. The Klein Karoo is framed by the majestic mountain peaks of the Swartberg and Langeberg ranges, while its bigger sibling to the north the Groot (Great) Karoo is home to succulents; the diversity and fleshy nature of these succulents are largely unmatched anywhere else in the world and really highlights the sharp contrasts on offer in the Karoo.
For those driving through the Karoo to get to the popular town of Oudtshoorn or the riveting Cango Caves, the Karoo, at first glance, seems like an arid landscape devoid of any life or living matter that seemingly doesn’t change whether its day or night, hot or cold. This is, however, doing a disservice to this magnificent natural spectacle. Upon closer inspection, the Karoo is actually a fantastic kaleidoscope of mountain peaks, clear streams, and an assortment of aloes and dwarf baobab trees. If this is not enough, during the spring months, the entire Karoo escarpment is transformed into a magical tapestry of wild flowers that is immensely popular amongst both local and international tourists.
Because of the Karoo’s winter rainfall and semi-arid climate that gives rise to various microclimates, Karoo winemakers often produce many quality bouquets, making this part of the world a very sought-after destination amongst wine connoisseurs. Furthermore, the annual Klein Karoo Arts Festival held in Oudtshoorn every year is another reason why the Karoo has achieved widespread acclaim; the festival is a fantastic event featuring locally produced fine arts, music, dramas and plays, food, and so forth, and is a very rewarding experience for all who attend.
