The Great Karoo: A Travel Guide to South Africa’s Vast, Beautiful Heartland

For years, many South Africans saw the Great Karoo only through a car window on the long drive between Johannesburg and Cape Town. More and more travellers are now discovering what they missed: a vast, quiet landscape of flat-topped koppies, star-filled skies, malaria-free wildlife reserves and characterful little towns.

What is the Great Karoo?

The Karoo is a semi-desert plateau covering a huge part of South Africa’s interior. The Great Karoo is the larger, northern part, stretching across the Western, Northern and Eastern Cape, while the Little Karoo lies further south towards the Garden Route. The name is thought to come from a Khoikhoi word for “dry” or “thirstland”.

Visitors are often surprised by how varied it is. After rain the veld turns green and flowers bloom, and its mountains, gorges and grassy plains support a surprising diversity of wildlife.

Top things to do in the Great Karoo

Go on a malaria-free safari

Private reserves near Graaff-Reinet, such as Samara Private Game Reserve, have restored huge tracts of farmland to wilderness. Look for cheetah, Cape mountain zebra, black rhino, giraffe, eland, gemsbok and hartebeest, plus specials such as the aardvark and bat-eared fox. Some reserves offer guided walks to track cheetah on foot.

Explore Graaff-Reinet

One of South Africa’s oldest towns, Graaff-Reinet has hundreds of national monuments, Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture, and good museums and restaurants.

Watch sunset over the Valley of Desolation

In Camdeboo National Park, just outside Graaff-Reinet, towering dolerite pillars overlook the endless plains. It’s one of the most dramatic sunset viewpoints in the country.

Visit Nieu-Bethesda

This tiny, artsy village is home to the extraordinary Owl House. Read our Nieu-Bethesda guide.

Stargaze

With almost no light pollution, the Karoo has some of the darkest skies on Earth. The town of Sutherland, in the Northern Cape Karoo, is home to the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT).

Birding

Look for the blue crane (South Africa’s national bird), secretary birds, kori bustards and Ludwig’s bustards.

Taste Karoo lamb

Lamb raised on the fragrant Karoo bushes is famous across South Africa, so order it wherever you see it.

When to visit the Great Karoo

• Spring and autumn (September to November, March to May): the most comfortable temperatures.
• Summer: hot days, dramatic thunderstorms and green veld after the rains.
• Winter: crisp, sunny days with very cold nights, and sometimes snow on the mountains. Pack warm layers.

Getting there

Graaff-Reinet is roughly three hours’ drive from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and makes an excellent detour from the Garden Route. The Karoo also fits well into a South Africa road trip, or you can see it in luxury from the train on Rovos Rail.

Great Karoo FAQ

Is the Great Karoo malaria-free?

Yes, the Karoo is malaria-free, which makes it ideal for safaris with young children.

How many days do you need in the Great Karoo?

Plan at least two to three nights: one or two on a game reserve and one in Graaff-Reinet or Nieu-Bethesda.

Is it safe to drive in the Karoo?

Yes. The main roads are tarred and in good condition, but distances are long, so fill up with fuel whenever you can.

Find more adventure and outdoors guides, or contact us to add the Karoo to your trip.