The Trans Karoo Tour is designed as a 5 days roundtrip with 4 nights in leading guesthouses
Please note that on Saturdays and on weekdays prior to South African public holidays we do not provide departures to Sutherland/Calvinia because no guided tours to the SALT observatory will be offered the following day!
Day 1 Cape Town - Matjiesfontein - Sutherland
In the morning we depart from Cape Town in a north-easterly direction driving past the town of
Paarl. a major centre of the winelands.
Going over the Du Toits mountain pass we enter the Breede River valley arriving at the town of Worcester.
The highway makes its way sometimes along rugged mountains sometimes close to the sweeping vineyards of the nearby Hexriver valley
surrounded by impressive mountains, which form the second tallest
mountain range
of the Western Cape Province. The peaks of the Hexriver Mountains appear snow-clad on many a winter's day.
Ascending another slope we suddenly meet the highveld of the Karoo where temperatures rise considarably during summertime.
Just slightly offside the national road a waving Union Jack flag heralds
Matjiesfontein
train station. One young and clever Scotsman built this picturesque quaint spot during Queen Victoria’s reign on the then brand-new main line connecting
Cape Town with Johannesburg - in fact the place is all about one dusty cul-de-sac serving as one national monument with whimsical stories and history.
However, it happened to be in this godforsaken corner that a generator was introduced to power the first electrical light of a private estate in the previous
Cape colony. The glamour of a glorious era of the bygone Empire is well preserved in today’s heritage.
Indulge yourself with a meal at the historic pub or the adjacent tea room where waitresses in traditional costumes are ready to obtain your order (optional, own expenses).
Matjiesfontein's station serves as a stop over for the legendary Blue Train as well as the luxurious Rovos Rail.
Hint: You should not miss out a visit to the outstanding garden behind the famous Lord Milner Hotel!
After lunch the journey continues via a lonesome road towards Sutherland. Eventually crossing a mountain pass the scenery changes to an open plain.
Framed by windy hilltops we stop over in the town of
Sutherland.
We will spend the night in town (dinner, next morning breakfast inclusive). Approx. 15 minutes drive away is the base of the international observatory.
The visit to the modern research station of the South African Astronomical Observatory
(SAAO),
is a highlight of our excursion. Sutherland of course offers excellent conditions for star gazing: clear atmosphere, no foreign light, stable weather patterns,
blue skies prevail, albeit occasional strong and cold gale-force winds.
Both nature lovers and botanists are able to enjoy a worldwide unique area that is host to an abundance of endemic plants especially
succulents.
(With some 2439 scientifically recorded species).
The population amounts to a ratio of 4 humans per km2 while temperatures plummet below minus 10 degrees Celsius on cold winter nights.
Many claim this is the coldest spot in all of South Africa!
Sheep, lizards, predator birds and tortoises being the only creatures to survive in this inhospitable habitat which receives very little rainfall.
Day 2 Sutherland - Middelpos - Calvinia
Before lunchtime we arrive in
Middelpos.
for a quick stop-off in an oasis. The village has the most lonely and remote pub in the Karoo. Plant researchers and geologists need to pay a visit to this corner! Some local plant species are still not yet recorded.
An hour’s drive down the road we reach
Calvinia
a quaint town at the bottom of the majestic Hantam Mountains. Traditions of the Afrikaner, descendants of Dutch settlers, are still kept alive. The environment represents no less than
five different climates
- The Ceres-Karoo - semi-desert in the south-east,
- The Bokkeveld - famous for it's Fynbos, Proteas and herbs in the north-west,
- The Namaqualand - with the famous Aizoaceae (flowering about noon) and succulents in the north,
- The Bushman land - in the north-east, and
- The Roggeveld - lowest temperatures in the south
After lunch we continue our journey via Niewoudtville to marvel at a nearby rare quiver tree forest
Following a brief stopover in Niewoudtville we backtrack to Calvinia where we put up for the night at a traditional guesthouse.
Calvinia, the name itself gives proof of the lasting heritage of protestant or Calvinist AFRIKAANERS. The town still represents ample evidence left by the early white settlers. With its stylish well-maintained historic Cape Dutch homesteads Calvinia remains an important centre of sheep farming and supplier of sheep wool.
Another not to be missed town attraction is the giant letter box.
Day 3 Calvinia - Wupperthal - Cederberg
A short drive away from Calvinia we turn off from the main road towards Capetown. The ride in a southerly direction leads through a remote valley until we finally reach the breathtaking Pakhuis-Pass Within visual range of the pass summit our trip continues down to the laid-back Wupperthal village.
PLEASE NOTE: Certain sections of the gravel road may occassionally reduce driving comfort.
The founding of this settlement in 1830 dates back to the relentless efforts of two missionaries dispatched by the Rhenish Mission based in Wuppertal / Germany. Serving as a safe haven for the coloured people the village received further development when the Moravian church took over in 1865. Deeply rooted in Christian beliefs self-supply farming was successfully established. Until construction of the connecting road was finalized the village maintained its culture. Untouched by changes of the modern times Wupperthal remains a peaceful place for descendants of the first freed slaves.
Still equipped with 19th century style machinery the local shoe factory was established by founding father Leipoldt. Henceforth veldboots made in Wupperthal became famous among South African farmers.
Since interest-free loans were granted in 1995 a challenging 4x4 trail, two guesthouses and a modern camping site now offer modern activities for the village and its adjacent farming community. Upgraded equipment gives a boost to the rooibos-tea production.
Apart from rooibos-tea Wupperthal stores another valuable treasure: the Bushmen had excellent knowledge on how to apply medical herbs and discovered the
Buchu plant
as a cure. Since 1821 this endemic plant with medical properties is a natural cure for stomach and bladder illnesses. Its chemical agents are coveted by the pharmaceutical industry.
Buchu is also added to the popular Buchu brandy of the Cape. Collecting and processing Buchu leaves is of significant importance to the people of Wupperthal.
After a brief stop on top of the Pakhuis Pass at the grave of poet Louis Leipoldt we will soon arrive in the picturesque town Clanwilliam. This town represents some of the largest citrus plantations in Southern Africa whose water supply is channelled by means of a canal system fed by the Olifants River. On surrounding farmland renowned rooibos-tea indigenous to this area, is cultivated. To the east tower the summits of the Cederberg mountain range (up to 2000 metres). A natur conservancy whose various rock paintings testify to the ancient home of the Bushmen. The Cederberg was named after a conifer resembling the Lebanon Cedar that became nearly extinct during the activities of the settlers. It is now used for telephone poles. Reforestation attempts have proved to be without success.
As planned this and the following night will be spent in a lodge in the Cederberg south of Clanwilliam*.
*) Accomodation is provided in rustic wendy huts not fitted with washing facilities.
Shared ablutions.
Breakfast and supper to be prepared by the tour guide.
Guest swimmingpool.
Day 4 Cederberg
Are you still fit for a short walk to view San paintings?
Well, feel invited to spot famous paintings of the ancient people close to the CEDERBERG PRIVATE CELLAR.
At lunchtime you are very welcome to order a cold beer from host Gerrit in his Cederberg Oasis 
. A lovely paradise indeed framed by mighty mountain ridges.
Enjoy a lekker wine-tasting afterwards. Concealed in the mountains is one of the highest lying wine estates in all of South Africa. Most interestingly, with regard to the altitude chemical spraying is not required due to the lack of vermin.
Their award winning wines are highly recommended among connoisseurs!
Day 5 Cederberg - Citrusdal - Capetown
After breakfast take a nature walk on the premises of our lodge.
Then we return to the N7 national road that will eventually take us back to the Cape.
The national road leads across the impressive Piekenierskloofpass near Citrusdal into the so-called Swartland, Capetown’s doorstep shaped by wheat acres.
As soon as the mighty Table Mountain wall arises on the horizon the end of our roundtrip is in sight.
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