Karoo, Klein Karoo and Baviaanskloof

This is South Africa stripped back to its bones: big skies, endless roads, honest food, and locals who still wave when you drive past. It’s raw, rugged, and real, the kind of place that slows you down.

The Little Karoo | Baviaanskloof | Things to do | The Karoo, Little Karoo, & Baviaanskloof difference | FAQ

The Karoo: Big skies & small-town soul

The Karoo is the beating heart of South Africa, a massive semi-desert stretching across the country’s interior, where sheep outnumber people and the silence is part of the charm. Its name comes from the Khoi word for “land of great thirst,” and once you’re here, it makes sense with red earth, windmills, and the kind of dry beauty that only comes with age. You’ll find fossils embedded in the rocks, ancient San rock art, and towns that feel untouched by time. Prince Albert, Graaff-Reinet, and Nieu Bethesda are among our favourites, full of artists, storytellers, and small-town warmth. Evenings are for fireside braais, cold beers, and starry skies so bright they almost hum. This isn’t luxury travel, it’s real South Africa, with wide-open landscapes, hearty food, and quiet moments that linger long after you’ve left.

The Little Karoo: Route 62, ostriches & fly camps

Tucked between the Swartberg, Langeberg, and Outeniqua mountains, the Little Karoo is where the desert softens just enough for vineyards, farms, and small towns to thrive. Route 62 winds through it all, a scenic stretch of passes, farm stalls, and postcard-perfect stops like Montagu, Barrydale, Calitzdorp, and Oudtshoorn, once the ostrich capital of the world. And for a true Charlie’s experience, spend a night at a fly camp on a working ostrich farm. No WiFi, no fuss, just firelight, mountain silence, and a sky full of stars. Wake to coffee, fresh air, and that unmistakable feeling of freedom.

Baviaanskloof: The wild heart of the Eastern Cape

Hidden between George and Gqeberha, Baviaanskloof is a UNESCO World Heritage valley of rugged mountains, rivers, and deep silence, 192,000 hectares of pure wilderness. Hike through gorges to secret waterfalls, swim in rock pools, or take on one of South Africa’s most iconic 4x4 routes with steep passes, river crossings, and endless views. Along the way, you’ll spot baboons, eagles, and the occasional curious gecko cleaning its eyes with its tongue. Stay in a rustic treehouse, share a home-cooked meal with locals, or gather around a campfire under a sky full of stars. It’s raw, real, and unforgettable, just how we like it.

Things to do in the Karoo & beyond

The Karoo is made for wandering, not rushing. This is South Africa at its most authentic: wide skies, red earth, and stories waiting to be discovered. Here’s what to add to your list:

Drive Route 62: South Africa’s coolest road trip, winding through wine farms, quirky cafés, and mountain passes.
Meet the ostriches in Oudtshoorn: Visit working farms, taste ostrich steak, and dive into the region’s fascinating feather-boom history.
Stay at a fly camp: Sleep under a million stars on a remote ostrich farm, pure Karoo magic.
4x4 through Baviaanskloof: One of the most scenic and challenging routes in the country. Rugged, wild, and completely worth it.

Take a Veld School Walk: Step into the veld with a local guide and learn the secrets of the land, how to read animal tracks, identify medicinal plants, and understand the rhythm of life in the Karoo. It’s not just a walk; it’s a lesson in how people survive and thrive in this raw, beautiful landscape.

Join a Karoo Cooking Class: Fire, food, and storytelling come together in this hands-on experience. Learn to braai like a local with pap, lamb chops, and braai bread while swapping stories under the stars. It’s slow, simple, and everything we love about the Karoo.

The Karoo, Little Karoo, and Baviaanskloof – what’s the difference?

The Karoo:
The big semi-desert that stretches across central South Africa. It’s known for its wide-open landscapes, small farming towns, and endless starry skies. Parts of the western Karoo are about 3–4 hours from Cape Town, making it a great inland detour from the Garden Route.
The Little Karoo:
Just south of the main Karoo, between the Swartberg and Langeberg mountains. It’s drier than the coast but greener than the Great Karoo, with vineyards, mountain passes, and the famous Route 62 that runs parallel to the Garden Route. Towns like Montagu, Barrydale, and Oudtshoorn are around 3–5 hours from Cape Town.
Baviaanskloof:
A rugged wilderness east of the Little Karoo, between George and Gqeberha. It’s part of the extended Garden Route region but much wilder and less developed. Getting there takes about 4–5 hours from Oudtshoorn or 6–7 hours from Cape Town.

In short:

The Karoo is dry and vast.
The Little Karoo mixes desert with vineyards and mountain passes.
Baviaanskloof is pure wilderness off the far end of the Garden Route.

All three can easily be combined in one epic South African road trip.

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All your burning questions about Karoo, Klein Karoo and Baviaanskloof answered

The Karoo is famous for its vast open landscapes, quiet roads, and big skies. It’s the heart of rural South Africa, where sheep farms, windmills, and small towns like Prince Albert and Graaff-Reinet tell stories of old-world charm and simple living.

It depends on where you go, but the western part of the Karoo starts around 3–4 hours from Cape Town, making it a great stop for road trippers heading inland or toward the Eastern Cape.

Explore fossil sites, hike through dry plains, visit small-town markets, and enjoy nights under some of the clearest stars in the world. It’s perfect for travellers who love open spaces and slow travel.

The Little Karoo is greener and more fertile, tucked between mountain ranges with vineyards, fruit farms, and charming towns like Montagu, Barrydale, and Oudtshoorn. It’s desert meets wine country.

Drive the scenic Route 62, visit ostrich farms in Oudtshoorn, taste local wines, stop at quirky farm stalls, and spend a night at a fly camp under the stars.

Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are ideal, with mild weather, clear skies, and blooming wildflowers. Summer brings heat, while winter nights are crisp, perfect for stargazing by the fire.

Baviaanskloof is one of South Africa’s wildest and most untouched valleys. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rugged mountains, river crossings, and sense of total remoteness.

You can reach it from the Garden Route side via George or Willowmore, about 4–5 hours from Oudtshoorn or 6–7 hours from Cape Town. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for the full drive through the reserve.

Hike through gorges, swim in natural pools, go birdwatching, or camp under the stars. It’s perfect for travellers who love adventure, nature, and going completely off-grid.

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