The Karoo is a vast semi-desert region that spans across central and southern South Africa. It is known for its unique landscapes, sparse vegetation, and stunning night skies. The northern part of the Karoo is located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa and is an area of great natural beauty and historical significance.

The Northern Cape Karoo is characterized by vast plains, rugged mountains, and rolling hills. The area is known for its unique vegetation, including dwarf shrubs, succulents, and grasses that have adapted to the harsh, arid climate. The Karoo is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including springbok, kudu, ostriches, and various bird species.

One of the highlights of the Northern Cape Karoo is the Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that straddles the border between South Africa and Namibia. The park is known for its breathtaking landscapes, including towering mountains, deep canyons, and desert plains. It is also home to a variety of unique plant species, including the halfmens succulent, which is found nowhere else on earth.

Another must-see destination in the Northern Cape Karoo is the town of Kimberley, which played a significant role in South Africa’s diamond mining history. Visitors can explore the Big Hole, an enormous open-pit diamond mine that was once the largest in the world. The town also has several museums and historical sites that offer insight into the region’s rich cultural heritage.

In addition to its natural and historical attractions, the Northern Cape Karoo is also known for its stargazing opportunities. The area has some of the clearest night skies in the world, making it a popular destination for astronomers and stargazers. Visitors can enjoy guided stargazing tours and observe the Milky Way, the Magellanic Clouds, and other celestial wonders.

In conclusion, the Northern Cape Karoo is a unique and fascinating region that offers a wide range of attractions and activities for visitors. From its rugged landscapes and diverse wildlife to its rich cultural heritage and stunning night skies, the Karoo is a must-see destination for anyone seeking adventure and natural beauty in South Africa.

The Karoo is a semi-desert region in South Africa that bursts into life with the first rains. The hardy succulents and sweet grasses provide food for the region’s sheep, and the everpresent windpumps attest to the many streams that flow beneath the dry soil.

Small, isolated villages with distinct Karoo architecture and imposing churches dot the valleys between desolate, flat-topped koppies. Colesberg, a sheep-farming center and essential stopover for travelers, is a short drive from Hopetown, the site of South Africa’s first recorded diamond find.

From Hopetown, you can return to Colesberg via Orania, a self-proclaimed Afrikaner volkstaat. Then, make your way to Vanderkloof and the Rolfontein Nature Reserve on the shores of the great Vanderkloof Dam.

Enjoy watersports or relax on the secluded banks of the dam, which stretch 100km to the Doornkloof Nature Reserve on the man-made lake’s southern shores. Throughout the Karoo, you can visit, hunt, or hike on game farms and nature reserves teeming with every species of antelope. The hardy inhabitants of the Karoo will make you feel immediately at home in their beloved countryside.

Physical address

Tourism House
15 Villiers St
Kimberley, 8301

Contact numbers
Telephone: 053 492 0311 (International: +27 (0)53 492 0311)
Facsimile: 053 831 2937 (International: +27 (0)53 831 2937)
Email: marketing@experiencenortherncape.com
Website: www.experiencenortherncape.com