Things to Do in Little Karoo

Little Karoo Overview

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Little Karoo

Little Karoo Overview

The Little Karoo is the hot, dry region squeezed between the Outeniqua Mountains that separate it from… Read More

Ikkos Equine Sanctuary and Animal Haven

Animal Parks in Oudtshoorn

Take the kids to enjoy a quiet, relaxing farm environment and wide range of animal interactions at Ikkos Equine Sanctuary and Animal Haven Petting Farm. Meet horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, an angora goat, sheep, miniature pot bellied piglets, guinea pigs and rabbits. Come and pet them and feed them and even have a ride on one of the horses. Older kids can walk with the horses and everyone can feed and pet the donkeys, sheep and goat or cuddle one of the friendly guinea pigs or the rabbit. Also on offer are short horse rides led by the owner in an enclosed camp – which makes for many great photos and memories. Ikkos Equine Sanctuary and Animal Haven Petting Farm help neglected and abused animals. The Greek word for horse is Ikkos, it also means the "Great Light", and the sanctuary aims to provide visitors with an enlightening all round equestrian experience. So, what goes on at Ikkos Equine Sanctuary? Rescue of abandoned and abused equines and other animals. Ikkos equine therapy – come and walk with their equines as well as groom, feed them and get to know them. Ikkos riding tuition – learn about horses in a fun and interesting way and learn to ride. Ikkos eco horse riding trails and tours – absolutely stunning trails in natural veld private game reserve with a variety of game and stunning views. Adopt an equine or another animal here at the sanctuary – a unique gift for yourself or a loved one. Need to know? If you would like to make a booking (at least the day before), please send an SMS to 076 600 1115 to confirm your visit and get directions. The cost is R50 entrance fee that includes a tour round the farm to meet the animals, there is the option of pony riding at R40 per person and feeding the animals at R20. All entrance fees and donations go directly back into Ikkos Equine Sanctuary and Animal Haven Petting Farm for the care of the animals and towards the rescue of other animals in need of help.

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Noukloof Nature Reserve Trail

Hiking Trail in Ladismith

Indigenous vegetation of the Little Karoo veld, as well as fauna like eland, springbok, duiker and steenbok can be seen on this beautiful walk. The circular trail is 12 km long and is rated as easy. Hikers must arrange for key collection at the Ladismith municipal offices, as the entrance to the trail is locked.

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Mousebird Trail

Hiking Trail in Oudtshoorn

The 2.5 km Mousebird Trail takes hikers through Succulent Karoo and Subtropical thicket in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve. This part of the Klein Karoo is within the Cape Floral Kingdom, and is considered one of the botanical wonders of the world, unequalled in its plant diversity compared with other arid regions. Duration: 1.5 hours Difficulty: Easy Distance: 2.5 km

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Gamkaberg Zebra Crossing

Four By Four Trails in Calitzdorp

Gamkaberg Zebra Crossing comprises various 4x4 trails ranging from 16 km to 36 km. The trails take about 3 to 4 hours to complete and stretch over the Gamkaberg Mountain. The trails start at the information centre and leads over scenic trails to be enjoyed by all. The difficulty grading is 2 and high clearance vehicles are needed. Soft 4x4 vehicles with no low range are welcome but please contact the information centre for further enquiries. The exact GPS coordinates are unknown and have been placed in Calitzdorp.

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Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

Nature Reserves in Oudtshoorn

Nestled between the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains in the Klein Karoo, this remote mountain reserve is definitely worth a visit. Most folk who venture to Gamkaberg Nature Reserve come to soak up the peace and tranquillity. The best season to go is in spring although any time of the year is worthwhile. Part of the Cape Floral Kingdom which boasts one of the richest floras on earth, Gamkaberg is a botanists paradise. Here you will find four of the South African biomes – Fynbos, Succulent Karoo, Subtropical Thicket and Evergreen Forest. Home to the endangered Cape mountain zebra, honey badger and leopard, the reserve is an important refuge for rare Western Cape wildlife. Other animals you can spot include eland, red hartebeest, grysbok, grey rhebuck, klipspringer, duiker, steenbok, baboon, caracal, aardvark, aardwolf, black backed jackal and many small mammals. The reserve is also host to numerous birds, reptiles and insects. Day trippers can look around the information centre, meander through the labyrinth, explore the short footpaths and use the picnic or braai spots. Open daily from sunrise to sunset.

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Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve

Nature Reserves in Heidelberg (WC)

Excellent bird watching, gorgeous indigenous Knysna forest and mountain fynbos characterize this CapeNature reserve in the Langeberg. The 250-hectare forest is situated 22 km northwest of Heidelberg and is considered the best and largest woodland in the south-western Cape. The Bushbuck and Grysbok Trails (2 – 15 km) and the short mountain bike trail through high forest are wonderful options to explore this stunning reserve. Permits for these trails are available from the CapeNature office. Forest tree species that you will see are stinkwood, yellowwood, red alder and the ubiquitous ironwood. Wildlife that is often encountered includes bushbuck, Cape grysbok, Cachma baboons, various small mammals like mongoose and genet. Occasionally leopard can be seen. Rich in bird diversity, the reserve boasts no less than 196 bird species. Twitchers will be gripping their binoculars to spot endemics like the Knysna woodpecker, Knysna warbler, Victorin’s warbler, forest canary and Cape Siskin. Other forest specials to look out for are the Narina Trogon and majestic Crowned Eagle. And what else is there to brag about? Grootvadersbosch is home to a subspecies of ghost frog and a unique forest emperor butterfly.

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Loerklip to Saagkuilkloof Trail

Hiking Trail in Heidelberg (WC)

Boosmansbos Wilderness Area in the Langeberg Mountains offers 64 km of unmarked walking paths. Hikers have the freedom to decide on their own route. The two-day hike up Loerklip and down Saagkuilkloof is the most popular. This 27 km circular route is not clearly marked and graded demanding, so it is essential to carry an accurate map. Advance bookings are essential. Duration: 2 days Difficulty: Moderate to tough

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Meiringspoort

Popular Attractions in De Rust

Meiringspoort was established in 1858 and opened trading between the towns of George, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn. The area is part of the Swartberg Nature Reserve. Meiringspoort is the result of land formations over 200 million years ago when Africa was still part of the larger continent with Australia, South America, India and Antarctica. The rock formations, bird- and wildlife, and incredible flora. The N12 takes visitors through this magnificent 'poort' and designated picnic and braai areas are found along the way. Don't forget to stop at the Meiringspoort Waterfall.

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Grysbok Trail

Hiking Trail in Heidelberg (WC)

The 15 km Grysbok Trail in Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve takes hikers on an exploration of the pretty mountain fynbos and forest fringes of the Langeberg Mountains. The reserve offers varied birding opportunities. Grysbok and bushbuck can be seen in the fynbos and indigenous forest of yellowwoods, ironwoods and stinkwood trees. Duration: 4 hours Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 15 km

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Mooiplaas Ostrich Farm Tours

Popular Attractions in Oudtshoorn

Guided tours of the Mooiplaas Ostrich Farm are usually one and a half hours. Tour guide, Koos, kicks off with the interesting story of how Oudtshoorn owes its history to the ostrich. After seeing the adult ostriches, you will meet the curious and friendly youngsters in the farm paddocks. Advanced farming methods are used to care for the eggs and provide the right environment for them to hatch into healthy young birds. Once hatched, chicks are moved to the nursery and then into bigger paddocks.

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Boosmansbos Wilderness Area

Nature Reserves in Heidelberg (WC)

Deep in the Langeberg Mountains and part of Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve is the hiking paradise Boosmansbos Wilderness Area. As part of the Cape Floral Region, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fragrant mountain fynbos and indigenous kloof forest characterize the lovely landscape. Some incredibly rare species of Ericas can be found. The ravines are populated by stinkwood, yellowwood, Cape holly, red alder, beech, white alder and candlewood trees. If you're a tree-spotter, look out for a thicket of mountain cypress growing on a cliff edge. Wildlife that you may encounter includes grey rhebuck, klipspringer, grysbok, baboons, leopard, mongoose and genet. The area boasts numerous birds with 184 recorded species including black, martial, crowned and booted eagles, redwinged and redneck francolins, blackrumped buttonquail, striped flufftail and Layard’s titbabbler. Popular with hikers, the main attraction here is the lack of infrastructure and remoteness. Paths are unmarked and huts provide only basic shelter and no toilet facilities. Hikers need to be well-equipped for all weather and must carry an accurate map. Hikers may choose their route from 64 km of paths. A circular two-day route of 27 km follows an old jeep track up Loerklip and back down Saagkuilkloof. Advance bookings are essential. +27 021 659 3500 bookings@capenature.co.za

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Burchelles Track

Four By Four Trails in Uniondale

Burchelle’s Track is 35 km from Uniondale and travels through the Klein Karoo. The 4x4 trail was originally established by botanist WJ Burchell with an ox wagon. The 20 km trail passes over three river crossings, indigenous forest and rocky inclines. The scenery is ever-changing. The trail takes about 5 hours to complete and has a difficulty grading of 3 to 4. This self-drive course requires a low range, high clearance vehicle.

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Bushbuck Trail

Hiking Trail in Heidelberg (WC)

The 10 km Bushbuck Trail in Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve rambles through the pristine mountain fynbos and prime indigenous forest of yellowwoods, ironwoods and stinkwood trees. Underneath the canopy are an abundance of ferns, and numerous birds flit abut the treetops. Depending on weather conditions, the trail may be closed at certain times during the year. Duration: 3 hours Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 10 km

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Seweweekspoort

Popular Attractions in Seweweekspoort

Almost directly opposite Zoar, a quaint little town founded in the early 1800s by the Berlin Mission, is a gravel road that leads to one of the Western Cape’s hidden treasures – Seweweekspoort. According to some, Seweweekspoort is named after a missionary, Reverend Zerwick. It is renowned for its special natural beauty, immense rock formations and cliffs, and its timeless feeling of remoteness. The towering cliffs of the Swartberg bear witness to the immense forces from within the earth that once upon a time elevated these rugged, folded formations. The road runs for some 20 km through the Poort, taking you from the Little Karoo to the Great Karoo, as well as from the winter rainfall to the summer rainfall area. It has been a gateway to the hinterland since before 1800, and Adam de Smidt built a wagon and horse road only in 1860. He was a brother in law to the well-known Thomas Bain. Only minor improvements have been made to this road over the years. At some 2325 m above sea level, Seweweekspoort Peak is the highest in the Cape region. It keeps a watchful eye over the remaining klipspringer, dassie and even the occasional leopard. Often, Verreaux eagle can be spotted soaring among the cliffs. Beautiful specimens of Kiepersol can be seen along the way as the road crosses the meandering stream 23 times. Only 7 km to the northeast is the Bosluiskloof pass – also built by Adam de Smidt, concurrently with Seweweekspoort. This little pass served as an extension of Seweweekspoort to create a throughway into the vast interior, and still retains its own special, untouched beauty to this day. Dr. Atherstone (geologist) said the following in reference to Seweweekspoort in 1862: “The most wonderful gorge or mountain pass I have ever beheld… how few know of this extraordinary mountain gap” And in reference to the Bosluiskloof Pass: “[From the top of the Pass] a scene burst upon us that I shall not forget in a hurry”. C. Louis Leipoldt, after having travelled through Seweweekspoort, proclaimed it to be one of the Seven Wonders of the old Cape Province. Many a traveller has echoed these sentiments – why don’t you experience it yourself.

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Desert Express Day Tour

Popular Attractions in Oudtshoorn

Desert Express Day Tours offers a full day tour to the enchanting Little Karoo. See, ride, touch and hug an African Ostrich. Explore the wondrous Cango Caves and enjoy the amazing wildlife attractions at the Cango Wildlife Range. Wine tasting is on offer, and there is plenty of fun things for kids as well. Tours launch daily; bookings are essential.

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Things to Do in Little Karoo

Little Karoo

Things To Do

Little Karoo Overview

Ikkos Equine Sanctuary and Animal Haven

Noukloof Nature Reserve Trail

Mousebird Trail

Gamkaberg Zebra Crossing

Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve

Loerklip to Saagkuilkloof Trail

Meiringspoort

Grysbok Trail

Mooiplaas Ostrich Farm Tours

Boosmansbos Wilderness Area

Burchelles Track

Bushbuck Trail

Seweweekspoort

Desert Express Day Tour

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