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1. Britstown

Sheep, wool, muitton and karakul skins are the chief products of the Karoo and Britstown is one of the principal centres of these industries. It was a staging post on the Diamond Way - the trunk road between Three Sisters and Johannesburg through Kimberley - at a junction where this road crosses the major route to Namibia. The town was named after Hans Brits, who owned the farm on which it was laid out in 1777.

2. Cookhouse

Cookhouse is one of the Eastern Capes relatively unknown villages. It is approximately 165 km’s away from Port Elizabeth and forms part of the Blue Crane Route along with other Karoo towns of Somerset East and Pearston. Despite not being a popular holiday destination, the quiet town has a quaint charm and character of its own. The town covers only about 50 square kilometres and its residents are mainly Xhosa speaking South Africans. Travellers who do visit Cookhouse en route will no doubt enjoy the lovely landscapes surrounding it and its warm friendly locals. If you find yourself spending a few days in the area, you will find hiking, walking and mountain biking trails you can use to explore the beautiful natural surroundings. If you are more of a history buff, Cookhouse has a…

3. Cradock

Capital of the Karoo Heartland The historic town of Cradock lies along the banks of the Great Fish River which brings life to this part of the grassy Karoo. The towns’ geographical location makes it a popular stay over destination for travelers between major inland towns such as Johannesburg and Bloemfontein and coastal areas such as Port Elizabeth and East London. Cradock is a typical Karoo farming town with cattle farms scattering the landscape. What the area is most renowned for however is its production of some of the best wool and mohair in the country. The cheerful character of the town is marked by the many different cultures and the very friendly locals. If you planning…

4. De Aar

De Aar is a town in the Northern Cape province of South Africa and, after Germiston, it is the second largest railway junction in the country. The town plays a major part in the transport system of Southern Africa. The lines from the Western and Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Namibia met here and within the precincts of the town are 110 km of track. Crack passenger trains, the Blue Train, Trans-Karoo, Orange Express and the Drakensberg, stopped here to change crews. De Aar is no holiday resort, but excellent examples of Khoisan Rock Art can be viewed at the Nooigedacht, Brandfontein and Damfontein Farms just outside of the town. Another great find and also worth a visit is the former home of Olive Schreiner, the famous South African author and feminist who wrote "Women and Labour". The N12…

5. Groblershoop

Gateway to the Green Kalahari Groblershoop can be found at the junction of the N8, from Kimberley and Griekwastad, and the N10 from Prieska and Marydale. Groblershoop is the gateway to the green Kalahari, picture a land of contrast, arid undulating hills pierced by the Orange River Valley and in turn creating an amazing green strip right through which supports its surroundings. The area is well-known for its successful farming and wine production – the cellar just outside the town is one of five of the Oranjerivier Wine Cellars, the largest co-operative cellars in Africa and the second largest in the world! Both people and the ancient donkey has left its mark on Grobershoop area. By appointment only, visitors can view some interesting footprints situated on private land – just…

6. Hanover

Hanover is a small town and is often described as the town in the middle of South Africa. The town lies halfway between most major cities of South Africa i.e. halfway between Johannesburg and Cape Town; between Cape Town and Durban and between Upington and Port Elizabeth. Before the arrival of cars, all roads led to Hanover and virtually all travelers passed through this little town. Nestled in the southeastern section of the Northern Cape known as the Great Karoo, Hanover is an ideal stopover for travelers driving to and from Johannesburg and the Western Cape. The town, in its heyday, was home to the wealthy and eccentric and it still has remnants of the early 1900’s architecture.…

7. Inxuba Yethemba Rural

The Eastern Cape Midlands The area of Inxuba Yethemba stretches between the two towns of Cradock and Middleburg, following the N10 in the Eastern Cape. The towns are fairly similar and both towns’ rural areas consist mainly of commercial farms. The economy of the area is largely based on agriculture and tourism, which is no surprise as the area offers beautiful scenery and many natural attractions. There is nothing more spectacular than the night skies in this small part of the country. Unhindered by city lights and pollution, the skies are bright with stars and perfect for star gazing all year round. The best time to visit this area of the Karoo though is Spring time because of the flower displays, but Karoo midwinter snows in July can also be special. The area also offers a…

8. Marydale

Marydale is a tiny town situated between Upington and Prieska – approximately 120 km’s from Upington and 76 km’s from Prieska - on the N10 route between Port Elizabeth and the Namibian border. As far as the rest of the world is concerned, Marydale lies in the middle of nowhere and it is probably most famous for its location near the almost mythical railway village of Putsonderwater – “Well Without Water”. Both may be small but are welcoming villages with distinct Karoo architecture and imposing churches. Marydale’s NG Church, the reason for the existence of the town, still stands today and Connan Street can offer visitors a few “karoo huisies” to admire. The Karoo offers travellers a place to visit, hunt or hike on game farms and nature reserves packed with every…

9. Middelburg (EC)

Venue for the Karoo Mighty Men Conference (KMMC) Middelburg in the Eastern Cape is situated halfway between both, Johannesburg and Cape Town, and Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth. The R56 Route is the shortest road trip between these provinces making the small Karoo towns popular stopover locations for travellers. Lying in the heart of the Great Karoo, surrounded by mountains, Middelburg is unique yet similar to the average Karoo town. It lies in the centre of a circle formed by five other similar Karoo towns, all approximately 100 km from Middleburg. The five surrounding towns, Graaff-Reinet, Cradock, Steynsberg, Colesberg, Richmond and Hanover, are all towns well worth a quick visit.…

10. Paterson

Game Reserve Country Paterson is a small town that lies in the foothills of the Zuurberg Mountains and in the heart of the Eastern Cape Game Reserve country. For city slickers looking for a bushveld escape, Paterson is an easy one hours’ drive from Port Elizabeth and the perfect stopover before entering one of the Reserves, Farms or Parks. Look out for its six grain silos, a significant landmark against the skyline, otherwise dominated by thicket. The bushveld here supports a larger number of insects, birds and animals than any other on earth, so it is no surprise that the area draws many nature lovers in search of a bush holiday. Day and night game drives ensure guests can experience…

11. Prieska

Prieska lies on the southern bank of the Orange River, at the foot of the Doringberg, approximately 251 km from Upington and 240 km from Kimberley. The little Northern Cape town provides some unique attractions and historical sites. A must is the British Stone Fort on the top of Prieska Koppie overlooking the town which is made entirely of unprocessed tiger's eye and must be the only fort in the world constructed from semi-precious stones. The fort was built during the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. Prieska is famed for semi-precious stones, especially tiger's eye and its variants. The stones are despatched to jewellers all over the world. The area between Prieska and Vioolsdrif, and even right up to the Namibian border on the other side of the Augrabies Falls National Park, is…

12. Upington

Upington is the chief city in the Northern Region of the country and is situated on the banks of the famous Orange River. It is an ideal stop over on the major route to Namibia, 820 km north of Cape Town and 875 km west of Johannesburg. Most think of a desolate, sunbaked, southern Kalahari desert town when the name Upington is mentioned, but how wrong one can be! Through the harsh landscape that surrounds Upington runs a glittering green ribbon - the fertile Orange River Valley. Upington has beautifully landscaped gardens, many rose beds and large, graceful trees. Die Eiland is a Holiday Resort situated on an island in the middle of the Orange River with a Date Palm entrance avenue of over 1000 metres of Palm trees. Upington is known as a wonderful winter holiday resort with a…