The wide streets of Graaff-Reinet have more National Monument buildings than any other town in the Karoo and is a delightful oasis in the scrubland. Nearby is a most spectacular natural wonder known as the 'Valley of Desolation', where the ground falls dramatically away, and strange dolomite pinnacles rise like rockets from a launching pad. Nieu-Bethesda is home to the strange Owl House - an unusual collection of sculptures and lifetime’s work of an eccentric artist.

It may seem vast and empty but the Karoo is full of eccentricities waiting to be found. Take a look at the map locations of Beaufort West, Fraserburg, Graaff Reinet, Karoo National Park, Laingsburg, Matjiesfontein, Murraysburg, Nieu Bethesda and Prince Albert.

The Great Karoo Desert is a vast and unforgiving landscape of which the Karoo National Park is but a small portion. Being the largest ecosystem in South Africa, the Karoo is home to a fascinating diversity of life, all having adapted to survive in these harsh conditions. Karoo National Park is dominated by the lofty Nuweveld mountains and rolling plains, where many species that originally occurred here now occupy their former ranges.

The Karoo National Park has a wide variety of endemic wildlife. Many species have been relocated to their former ranges - such as black rhino and buffalo, as well as Cape mountain zebra. Over 20 breeding pairs of black eagle find sanctuary within the park. There is also a wide diversity of succulent plants and small reptiles.

Tourist Activities in the Karoo 

• Scenic drive along the picturesque Klipspringer Pass with environmentally sympathetic style of construction and scenic viewpoint at Rooivalle.
• Game viewing in own vehicle.
• Karoo 4X4 Trail. This trail may be undertaken in own vehicle, or in a park vehicle with guide.
• Night drives, under guidance of trained staff.
• Nature trails, one of 800 m (Bossie Trail), and one of 11 km (Fonteintjieskloof Trail).
• Karoo Fossil Braille Trail is 400 m long and is specifically adapted for handicapped visitors, depicting the geology and palaeontology of the Great Karoo.
• Bird hide at the dam near main restcamp in the Karoo National Park.

5 Things to seek in the Karoo National Park 

• Black Eagle – with around 20 pairs of these eagles breeding, the park can lay claim to one of the highest densities of this regal species in Africa.
• Tortoises – the park hosts 5 different species, the highest density of species per equivalent area anywhere in the world.
• Quagga – Efforts to rebreed this “formerly extinct” species, now regarded as a zebra sub-species are gathering momentum in the park.
• Cape Mountain Zebra – this species came close to extinction early in the 20^th Century.It is well established in the park and visitors have the opportunity to compare its bold stripe pattern to that of the “quagga” strain.
• Springbok – the emblem of the park and present in high numbers.This is a reminder of the once massive herds that crossed the Karoo on annual migration that could stretch for several kilometres.

Karoo Climate

Annual rainfall totals 260 mm, with the plains being hot in summer, and the mountain areas relatively cool throughout the year. During mid-winter snow occurs regularly on the peaks of the Nuweveld Mountains.

• Cool clothing for summer and warm for winter – the region is subject to sudden changes in weather, particularly in the mountains.
• Remember to bring a hat, walking shoes, sun block, camera, binoculars and bird and mammal reference books.
• Hikers on day trails must always carry sufficient water.

Accommodation in the Karoo

• Amakhulu Central Reservations
  Merl offers a very friendly and professional service to book accommodation in South Africa. She specializes in the Drakensberg and Wild Coast regions.
  
• Accommodation in the Karoo
  This South African accommodation website offers the great opportunities to book accommodation. You deal directly with the accommodation establishment owner and the whole reservation is booked via the web.
   - Nieu Bethesda accommodation
   - Graaff Reinet accommodation
   - Laingsburg accommodation
   - Oudtshoorn accommodation
   - Beaufort West accommodation
   - Prince Albert accommodation
   - De Rust accommodation
  
• Karroo national Park (Restcamp)
  All accommodation is serviced daily and equipped with bedding, towels and soap.
  Six-bed Cape Dutch style family cottages, each with two bedrooms, en suite. bathrooms (bath and shower) and fully equipped kitchen. One has been adapted for handicapped persons.
  Three-bed Cape Dutch style chalets, each with Bathroom (shower) and kitchenettes with basic equipment. Two units have been adapted for persons with mobility difficulties.