The Klein Karoo Kannaland is a semi-desert broken by unexpected, lush river valleys. Excellent wines and port are produced in the Calitzdorp and De Rust areas. Oudtshoorn, the world's ostrich feather capital, is the region's main town. South Africa's first German Angora Rabbit Show Farm, the Cango Butterfly Farm and the Swartberg Nature Reserve and Pass are also worth a visit. The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees is held in the town annually. Some 26 km from Oudtshoorn lies the remarkable Cango Caves, a series of spectacular subterranean limestone caverns. Bearing evidence of early San habitation, the 30-cave wonderland boasts magnificent dripstone formations. Between 300.000 and 400.000 people visit the Caves annually.
Amalienstein and Zoar are historic mission stations midway between Ladismith and Calitzdorp. Visitors can go on donkey-cart and hiking trails through orchards and vineyards, while the Seweweekspoort is ideal for mountain biking, hiking and protea and fynbos admirers. Calitzdorp boasts four wine estates, three of which are open to the public. The spring water of the Calitzdorp Spa is rich in minerals and is reputed to have medicinal properties. The Gamka Mountain Reserve is home to the rare and endangered Cape mountain zebra.
De Rust lies at the southern entrance to Meiringspoort. The Meiringspoort Gorge extends 20 km through the Swartberg Mountain Range. Halfway through, a beautiful 69-m high waterfall can be seen. Wine farms in the area are open to the public. Ladismith is home to the Towerkop Cheese Factory. There are various hiking trails, mountain-biking trails and 4x4 trails in the area. The Anysberg, Klein Karoo and Towerkop Nature Reserves can also be visited.
Uniondale, on the main route between George and Graaff-Reinet, features the largest water-wheel in the country, the Old Water-mill. Uniondale Poort is a scenic drive linking Uniondale with Avontuur in the Long Kloof Valley. At Vanwyksdorp, visitors can see how fynbos is dried and packed for the export market. Donkey-cart rides take visitors to restored ostrich palaces, Anglo-Boer/South African War grave sites and an old water-wheel.
Montagu, with its muscadel wines, is also known as the "little Switzerland", is the gateway to the Klein Karoo landscape. Between Ashton and Montagu you pass through a small tunnel, built in the 19th century, on top of which is Fort Sidney built by Thomas Baines in the 1899 Anglo Boer War. When you enter Montagu you will travel along historic Long Street, lined with 14 national monuments built in Cape Dutch, Victorian and Georgian style.
The museum has a very interesting medical herb garden. Relax in the healing waters of the mineral springs or visit the water fowl breeding camp. Well worth experiencing is the Montagu tractor-trailer ride, as it takes you to the summit of the Langeberg Mountains for a breathtaking view over the valleys of the Klein Karoo. With its very dry, healthy climate Montagu offers hiking trails, mountain biking, guided cultural tours and some of the best rock climbing in South Africa.
Tip: There is a fantastic walk through the mountains from the hot springs to Montagu.
Barrydale is a lovely village at the Route 62. There is a fertile valley lying between the coastal belt and the Karoo, enclosed by the Langeberg and Swartberg mountain ranges. To call this region the Little Karoo is a misnomer. Geographically, geologically and scenically it is not part of the Karoo but supports unique features of it’s own that ensure its place as a very special part of South Africa. The region was referred to as Kannaland on a map produced in 1843, this name being derived from the genus, Kanna. This area has a higher rainfall than the Karoo, which gave rise to permanent populations of Quena or Hottentot people of the Attaqua tribe in the low lying floor of the valley and to the Bushmen/Khoisan, who inhabited the mountains.
Tip: Visit the local jeweler at the Country Pumpkin. All jewels are handmade from local products.
Ladismith farm with Swartberg in the background. Copywright: Lanz Von Hörsten
The village was named after one of the great beauties of the time, Lady Juana Smith, Spanish-born wife of Sir Harry Smith the governor of the Cape. As there was a second Ladysmith in Natal the founders opted for the name Ladismith with an I. Ladismith is situated at the foot of the Klein Swartberg mountains. An unforgettable landmark is Towerkop (2 200m) wit its curiously split peak. The locals say that an angry witch flew overhead and struck the mountain with her wand, causing the split and giving it the name 'bewitched peak'. The area benefited from the ostrich feather boom more than a hundred years ago. The town boasts some unusual architectural styles, like the neo-gothic Otto Hager church, Victorian, Georgian, karoo (rural) and Ladismith styles (simplified Georgian). The Ladismith Klein Karoo Nature Reserve is 4km out of town. The vegetation consists mainly of Spekboom and Karooveld. Eland, mountain zebra, Springbok etc. can be seen here.
Tip: Visit the Ladismith Klein Karoo Nature Reserve with its interesting Karoo vegetation.
Amalienstein and Zoar are situated halfway between Ladismith and Calitzdorp. Zoar was established in 1816 and was named after the biblical Zoar on the Red Sea. The property next to Zoar was bought by the Berlin Missionary Society and named after Baroness Amalie von Stein, a benefactor of the society. Both villages boast lush gardens developed over the years. CJ Langenhoven one of South Africa's famous literature figures was born close to Amalienstein.
Tip: Children ( and I ) loved the donkey cart drives (028- 561-1000)
Calitzdorp
Ostrich Farm near Calitzdorp. Copyright South African Tourism
Calitzdorp often called the port capital, offers a variety of attractions, from ostriches to superb architecture, Bushmen rock art and some of the rarest plants in the world.
Very popular are the Calitzdorp Spa hot mineral baths. In the vicinity are the rare "Red Hills" which have enabled geologists to trace the earth's development over the last 600 to 800 million years. The ocean left red-tinted deposits against the Klein Karoo Mountains over 125 million years ago. This phenomenon is said to be found at only two other places in the world.
Oudtshoorn is called the feather capital of the world. Oudtshoorn is synonymous with ostriches. Get exposed to the largest and most exotic non-flying bird in the world. Visit one of the ostrich farms and try your hand at riding one.
The region was settled in the early 19th century, and the town was proclaimed in 1863. Oudtshoorns development is closely linked to the ostrich feather boom. Before the first world war feathers were highly fashionable for ladies hats and clothing in Europe and the USA. The ostrich farmers around Oudtshoorn came to be known as the feather barons. A male ostrich would yield 10 kg of feathers a year and they commanded incredible prices. At the height of the boom before the first world war there were more than 700.000 ostriches in the region. Great mansions and villas were built by the feather barons that can still be seen today. Some of them function as hotels and guest houses. After the war feathers became unfashionable and have never recovered their position.
Today the industry has recovered as the complete bird is marketed. Feathers are used for fashion and dusters; the popular skins are used for handbags, shoes, suitcases, bags and wallets. The CP Nel Museum is a striking sandstone building, completed in 1907 in the height of the boom. Extensive displays of the history of Oudtshoorn, the feather boom and the history of the Karoo are shown. There is a reconstructed grocery shop and a rural synagogue.
De Rust is 35 km's from Oudtshoorn on the southern end of the Meiringspoort Pass. To get to De Rust you can take the R29 north from Oudtshoorn or the N12 south from Beaufort West. Donkey cart rides are the ideal way to see some of the interesting attractions in the area. The attractions include the Meiringspoort Pass and the waterfall. You can also sample some of the local wines and a local schnaps called Witblits (White Lightning). Called white lightning due to the very high alcohol content (60%).
Prince Alfred's Pass Copyright: www.uniondale.co.za
Uniondale, a small town in the Little Karoo, South Africa, came about by the joining of two towns (Hopedale & Lyon) in 1856.
Initially known for its wagon building and ostrich feather industries, which later waned and left a quaint farming town. Uniondale lies next to the Langkloof and is predominantly a sheep, goat, seed and apple farming community. Uniondale is linked to Knysna and Plettenberg Bay (a mere 85km away) by the stunningly beautiful Prince Alfred's Pass. The pass was designed and built by Thomas Baines and still has the original hand packed stone retaining walls.
Total view of village Copywright: Prince Albert Tourism
Prince Albert is a delightful South African village in the Karoo, which is part of the Western Cape. Although we live in an arid region we are blessed with water from the Swartberg Mountains and the village is a little oasis. Prince Albert enjoys a superb climate, with one of the highest sunshine index and spectacular night skies. The village is a small gem, with beautifully preserved Cape Dutch, Karoo and Victorian buildings - 13 of which are National Monuments. Prince Albert is known for its sun-ripened fresh and dried fruit, especially figs and apricots. In the Prince Albert Valley , to the south of the village, farmers are restoring vineyards last farmed in the 19th century. Karoo lamb, olives, olive oil and cheese are local delicacies. The Cultural History Museum in Prince Albert depicts the history of the town and its environment. The antiques and artifacts were collected largely by Fransie Pienaar, but the collection is still growing, through donations from past and present inhabitants of Prince Albert.
Tip: Just 2kms from the foot of the awesome Swartberg Pass, Prince
Albert is the perfect base for exploring all the wonders of the
Swartberg including Gamkaskloof - "the Hell" and Meiringspoort
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