We decided to break away to the Tsitsikamma for the day and rather than just driving in and out on the N2, we took the scenic R102. The three biggest industries in the area are forestry, tourism and dairy so everywhere along the way you pass plantations, dairy farms and accommodation and activity establishments. What … Continue reading Tsitsikamma cattle roadblock
I have always just driven the R72 between Alexandria and Kenton-on-Sea and have only just seen the coastline and Alexandria dune field from the air on the occasion that the plane did fly this way en-route to or from PE airport. I have also always just heard how beautiful the drive along the loop past … Continue reading Driving the Woody Cape dirt road between Kenton and Alexandria
I always go on about all the treasures one get to discover when road tripping. Well known landmarks, inadequately marked but well worth taking turnoffs, interesting attractions, beautiful views, fascination people, lekker food, unusual sights and so much more. Driving back to Port Elizabeth from Graaff-Reinet the other day I passed through the town of … Continue reading Roadside gnomes in the Karoo
The Langkloof may not be a developed and marketed tourism route, but it is very scenic and has tons of tourism potential. Its biggest disadvantage though is that it runs parallel to the world renown and very popular Garden Route. I really enjoy driving through the Langkloof which stretches over a distance of about 200 km … Continue reading The beauty of the Langkloof
During the hot dry summer the Karoo veld can be somewhat of a bleak affair, but during the winter it's a different matter. Aloes bloom in all their fiery glory decorating the landscape like Christmas lights. Aloes, like proteas, are often found in the most unlikely and inhospitable places, growing in hot temperature and low rainfall … Continue reading Icons of the Karoo – Roadside Aloes
Although cars cross over the Zuurberg mountains from Port Elizabeth into the Karoo via the Olifantskop Pass within minutes these days, the journey was a much longer, slower and bumpier one if you go back 150 years or so. Back in those days travellers had to make use of the Zuurberg Pass which snakes it's … Continue reading Ann’s Villa
Driving through the Karoo should be an adventure, not a rush. It has so many interesting nooks and crannies to explore, but to get there one has to travel many interesting roads and paths. Travelling is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. Travelling through the Karoo one firstly encounters tar roads. … Continue reading Karoo roads
Driving towards De Rust and Oudtshoorn from Prince Albert takes one through Meiringspoort. Just before you enter the poort the road passes the little hamlet of Klaarstroom which has remained virtually unchanged since the days of Queen Victoria. As we were passing the turnoff into Klaarstroom my eye caught a peculiar sight and I nearly … Continue reading Poort-Pourri Kontreiwinkel
The Gamtoos River Valley around Hankey and Patensie is an absolutely stunning area. This last weekend we went camping next to the bottom section of the Gamtoos River at a camp site called Wackey Woods. Saturday morning we drove to Loerie and Melon, but unfortunately not all the way up the valley to Patensie. The … Continue reading Gamtoos Valley Farm House
Today's post is the conclusion of our drive through the Karoo (featured in Karoo Roads and Windpompe and Karoo Koppies ) from Gariep Dam (also see Gariep Dam Sunrise) to Cannon Rocks (posts still to come). And to link in with Skywatch Friday. As stated before, the Karoo is often referred to as Big Sky … Continue reading Karoo skies
Firefly the Travel Guy 