The large semi-desert Karoo area of South Africa hosts many towns with fascinating histories. On your journey, you’ll pass five lovely towns: Matjiesfontein, Calvinia, Graaff-Reinet, Nieu-Bethesda, and Prince Albert.
Prince Albert
Image by Sam Reinders
Entering Prince Albert feels like stepping into a postcard. Driving across the Koup plains to the north or the Swartberg Mountain Pass to the south reveals breathtaking surroundings. Consequently, this hamlet offers beautiful mountain views and the peaceful quiet of the semi-desert, nestled between the Ou Kloof and Swartberg Mountains.
Traveling to Prince Albert, located on the southern edge of the Great Karoo, lets you bypass the well-known Swartberg Pass. This pass connects to the small hamlet of Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo. Recently, it has become a popular getaway for those looking to escape the city.
The old homes, carefully renovated, now serve as welcoming getaways or permanent residences. Therefore, with its peaceful environment and stunning beauty, it’s no wonder this town has captured so many hearts.
ALSO SEE: Things to do in Prince Albert
Graaff-Reinet
Source: Facebook / @Graaff-Reinet Magazine
Graaff-Reinet, known as the “jewel of the Great Karoo,” blends history and charm beautifully. Starting in the late 18th century, it grew from humble cottages into a vibrant town at the foot of the stunning Sneeuberge, or Snow Mountains.
The town’s historic core gently wraps around a bend in the Sundays River, enhancing its architectural beauty. Thus, you should stroll along the wide, tree-lined streets to see brilliantly preserved mid-nineteenth-century buildings. The town boasts over 220 national monuments, reflecting its rich history. Local advocates like Anton Rupert have crucially preserved the town’s architectural heritage.
ALSO SEE: Things to do in/near Graaff-Reinet
Matjiesfontein
The Lord Milner Hotel in Matjiesfontein.
Matjiesfontein, just off the N1 highway 28 kilometers west of Laingsburg, provides an intriguing glimpse into South Africa’s colonial past. This charming community, highlighted by the renowned Lord Milner Hotel and other historic landmarks, sits against the stunning backdrop of the Witteberge (White Mountains).
Founded in the late 1800s, Matjiesfontein has been meticulously preserved. Consequently, it remains a popular stop for travelers between Cape Town and other rural areas. Once a key railway station on the route from Cape Town to Kimberley and Johannesburg, it still radiates old-world colonial grandeur. Today, with the Union Jack proudly flying at the entrance, Matjiesfontein stands as a living tribute to the British Empire’s legacy in South Africa. It invites visitors to step back in time and explore its well-preserved history.
Calvinia
Dirk van Rensberg with his hounds and rust buckets at Rustic Art. – Photo by Teagan Cunniffe
Calvinia, situated in the heart of the Hantam Karoo, acts as a gateway to the rugged beauty of Bushmanland, Tankwa, Roggeveld, and the larger Karoo. Surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes, including the Hantam Mountains to the north and the Rebunieberg and Keiskeiberge to the south, Calvinia sits near the Oorlogskloof River and features a blend of Victorian and Edwardian buildings.
Exploring Calvinia feels like stepping back in time, with its historic charm and welcoming residents. Hantam House, a cozy bed and breakfast from 1854, was originally constructed by Field Cornet Abraham van Wyk of Hoogekraal farm. The town also boasts a distinctive landmark: a large post box, repurposed from a water tower in 1995, standing an impressive 6.17 meters tall. Although this massive post box is a striking feature, a conventional post box remains for everyday mail.
Nieu-Bethesda
Thick growth of trees and the church spire poking through.
Nieu-Bethesda, nestled in a tranquil valley, offers a charming Karoo village experience with preserved old-world attractions and a peaceful retreat. The imposing Kompasberg, standing 2,502 meters tall, dominates the landscape. Hence, it sets the stage for a truly exquisite vacation.
Maintaining its original charm, the town allows visitors to unwind and enjoy a slower pace of life. Named by Robert Gordon in 1778, the Kompasberg offers breathtaking views of mountains and valleys from its summit.
Due to its remote location, Nieu-Bethesda lacks modern conveniences such as credit card processing, petrol stations, and automated teller machines.
ALSO SEE: Karoo enchantment: things to do in Nieu-Bethesda
Each town in the Karoo area—whether picturesque Prince Albert, historic Graaff-Reinet, quaint Nieu-Bethesda, colonial Matjiesfontein, or rugged Calvinia—offers a unique slice of South African culture and warmth.
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