Little Karoo (Klein Karoo)

The basics

Many travelers discover the Little Karoo as they drive Route 62, a picturesque road whose surroundings are home to 70 vineyards, including the town of Calitzdorp, the center of South Africa’s “port” industry. Often visitors stop in Oudtshoorn, a historic town billed as the world’s ostrich capital, which also provides meerkat encounters and a wealth of outdoor activities. The Cango Caves, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) north of Oudtshoorn, are a spectacular series of caves that are open to tourists. Or, to unwind amid remote mountain landscapes, head to Die Hel (Gamkaskloof Valley), via the vertiginous Swartberg Pass.

Things to know before you go

• The Klein Karoo is a great choice for photographers, road-trippers, and landscape lovers.

• The Cango Caves are tight in places, and not suitable for people with claustrophobia.

• Oudtshoorn, Die Hel, and some other Little Karoo destinations have wheelchair-accessible accommodation options.

How to get there

The Little Karoo lies between the Langeberg and Swartberg mountains in the Western Cape. From Barrydale in the west, around 160 miles (260 kilometers) from Cape Town, it extends 125 miles (200 kilometers) east to De Rust. Route 62 runs through the Klein Karoo. From Cape Town, take the N1 and R60 to join R62; to join the Garden Route take R238 south from Oudtshoorn to Mossel Bay.

When to get there

During the South African winter (June through August), parts of the Little Karoo can get unpleasantly cold. Summer (December through February) and early autumn are good choices: March sees not only the grape harvest but the KKNK arts festival in Oudtshoorn.

The Swartberg Pass

The Swartberg Pass links Oudtshoorn with the charming historic town of Prince Albert in the Great Karoo, a vast expanse of semi-desert north of the Little Karoo. Carved in the 1880s, this gravel road winds its way up and through the Swartberg Mountains, replete with switchbacks and vertiginous drops. A 4WD vehicle is recommended.