N1 Route
N1 Route
N1 Route to the Great Karoo - Worcester to Colesberg
The N1 route to the Great Karoo is a combination of great scenery, good wine tasting and game viewing.| The N1 is the gateway to the Great Karoo and the vast open plains which holds a magic all of it’s own and is well worth exploring. The N1 freeway starts in Cape Town and within a few kilometers of the city the Hottentots Holland mountains come into view. En route take note of the turnoff to Durbanville where the Durbanville wine route is a great day excursion from Cape Town. The N1 approaches Paarl and proceeds through the Du Toits Kloof Tunnel into the wine-lands of Worcester. Keep on the N1 through the Hex River Valley and on to the Great Karoo, Beaufort West and Colesberg in the North. The Karoo National Park is located just before Beaufort West on the N1 and the Tankwa Karoo National Park is located on the R55 which branches off the R46 from Touws River. |
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SoetKaroo Wine Estate, Prince Albert
A ‘village wine farm’, definitely not the smallest in South Africa, where tastings are done with the Perolds, an interesting and tenacious couple.
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team, Herman and Susan Perold, live in the old Cape Dutch cottage and make dessert wine from grapes grown in their back garden.Herman planted the vines in the year 2000. And this is where he toils tirelessly to achieve optimal quality. There are four cultivars Red Muscat d’Alexandrie (Red Hanepoot), Red Muscat de Frontignan (Red Muscadel), Petit Verdot and Touriga Nacional, all suited to the dry hot climate of the Great Karoo.
Susan converted their garage into a cellar and here she redefines the concept ‘hand-crafted’. In-house bottling and packaging complete a Proudly Prince Albert Product.
Visitors are welcome to visit, to taste and buy wine.
Directions: SoetKaroo Wine Estate can be found at 56 Kerkstraat, Prince Albert.
| Tel.: +27 (0)23 541 1768 | e-mail: perold@netactive.co.za Fax: +27 (0)86 524 3801 SoetKaroo Wine Estate |
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Karoo Birding Safaris, Beaufort West
Karoo birding, Karoo game viewing, Karoo bird photography and much more. Karoo Birding Safaris offer an unforgettable Karoo experience in Southern Africa's Karoo region. Let Karoo Birding Safaris show you just how enjoyable birdwatching in the Karoo can be. |  |
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| Karoo Birding Safaris is operated by Japie and Ralie Claassen. Both born and bred in the Karoo, they are experienced birders with more than 700 species on their South African life-list. Japie is a registered tour operator and guide with DEAT and FGASA and has a passion for the outdoors. He has been a member of Birdlife South Africa for more than 25 years, a founder member of the local bird club and secretary since it's inception. He has participated in the annual Birding Big Day since 1986, during which time his team has won the Handicap Division several times – this just illustrates why the Karoo has become such a sought after birding destination. He has also been a member of the SANParks Honorary Rangers since 1991 and is a qualified bird ringer. Japie does tours to many parts of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, but specializes in the Great Karoo and Tanqua Karoo. He has been a tour guide for more than 10 years and is renowned for his personal touch and attention to detail. Karoo Birding Safaris offers unique nature experiences, not only related to birding, but also in terms of the environment and scenery in the Karoo region. Besides birding, tour options include scenic trips, photography trips and game viewing trips to all major game parks as well as smaller less known venues. Tours are tailor-made to suite the client's specific needs and interests. Karoo Birding Safaris offer a full shuttle service with select accommodation according to your needs. Tours can be tailormade from a few days up to three weeks. Experience bird watching in the Karoo with a difference by calling Karoo Birding Safaris today. |
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| Phone: Cell +27 (0)83 7247916 | email: karoobirding@beaufortwest.net Fax: +27 (0)86 6060267 Karoo Birding |
Karoo moments
| It has been said the Karoo is not so much a place as it is a feeling. When you come to the Karoo, it captures your soul and actually flees with it, and by the time your visit is over you realize that it has stolen your heart. With the clean air and beautiful sun sets you will not even want to leave, or you will leave very slowly. It leaves footprints in your soul, it shapes your memories and flirts with your senses. |
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African Kombi Tours, Beaufort West
Does a donkey cart ride in the Karoo sound like good fun, well then drive off the long N1 highway that cuts through the Central Karoo and onto a Donkey Cart with African Kombi Tours. The road has stretched for miles and miles, the traffic on the N1 was pretty heavy, you’re tired of trucks and coffee stops…now this is just the right moment to stop off in Beaufort West and unwind after a long drive!
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African Kombi Tours was founded in 2007 and offers tailor-made tours through Southern Africa, with a special focus on the Great Karoo, the beautiful semi-arid region of South Africa. African Kombi Tours is a registered and licensed tour operator situated in Beaufort West, the middle of the Great Karoo, which enables them to be up-front with first-hand information, the latest trends, highlights, secrets and a vast array of attractions. They offer an exclusive, individual, highly professional and very personal African experience, tailor-made to your fullest satisfaction.
African Kombi Tours donkey carts depart daily between 4 and 5 pm (according to season) from Suretta’s Bed & Breakfast (15, Donkin Street/N1 to Johannesburg just before the roundabout) or directly from your guesthouse. Enjoy slowing down while the guides take the reins and lead you off the N1 towards a spectacular Karoo sunset. Sip a glass of champagne as the sun slowly sinks behind the shining Nuweveldberge, covering the Karoo with all shades of colours from pale pink to flaming red…
In cooperation with Mbongolo Donkey Tours & Transfers, African Kombi Tours also offers Cultural Tours to the former township of Kwa Mandlenkosi. Guides will introduce you to the lifestyle of the community, you will meet entrepreneurs and take a stroll through the Arts & Crafts Village, visit a shebeen and have lunch at a local restaurant. Tours depart at request in front of the Karoo Arts & Craft Village, right off the N1.
| Tel: +27 23 415 3226 Enquiries: +27 72 235 1891 | e-mail: info@africankombitours.com Fax: +27 86 580 3008 African Kombi Tours African Kombi Tours on Facebook |
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Teri-Moja Game Lodge, Beaufort West
Karoo Game Viewing and Karoo Birding in vast spaces of open Karoo veld with guaranteed sightings of Springbok, Gemsbok, Black Wildebeest and Blesbuck. |  |
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| Game Lodge 7 Self catering fully equipped thatched chalets each with twin or double beds, fold-out double sleeper couch, two single beds in the loft and en-suite facilities. Each chalet also has its own private braai area and over looks the Stolsriver Dam with plenty of game and birds to see. Game drives on request. Sunrise views across the plains, sunset over the Nuweveld Mountains and excellent views of the night skies are special. There is a large communal swimming pool. They offer Karoo braai packs, braai wood, salads, etc. in their shop, and pre-packed Karoo Lamb. The venue is managed by Morne and Jacolize, part of the Young family who have been leaders in service to tourists in Beaufort West for over 30 years. Activities: Game Viewing, Bird Viewing, Hiking, Swimming pool. Directions: Teri-Moja Game Lodge is 14km before Beaufort West from Cape Town and 500m off the N1. |
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| Tel :082 789 3040 | email: terimoja@vodamail.co.za Teri-Moja Game Lodge |
Sutherland
Snow, stars and tulips in the Karoo| Sutherland is named after Rev. Henry Sutherland, who annually came to the Roggeveld from Worcester for church services in the mid 1800's. In 1855 it was decided to establish a permanent congregation and 30 plots were sold giving birth to Sutherland as we know it today. Sutherland is situated at a height of 1450m above sea level on the southwest escarpment of the Karoo. Due to the low moisture levels and thin air, heat radiation at night is high. Heavy cold air flows down to the lower valley where Sutherland is situated resulting in very low temperatures at night. Sutherland is the coldest place in South Africa. The lowest temperature in 33 years was recorded at 16.4 oC on 12 July 2003. The thin clean air of Sutherland makes it an ideal site for astronomy. The observatory as well as the many amature stargazers have combined to establish Sutherland as a unique International Astronomy destination. In 1925 Rev M B Brink arrived in Sutherland and immediately recognized the potential for growing tulips. From a small beginning, Sutherland now supplies tulip bulbs on a large scale to a national market. Sutherland also plays an active role in conserving and protecting the highly endangered riverine rabbit. |
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To get to Sutherland, the stargazing capital of the Karoo, take the R354 turn off from the N1 at the historic karoo village of Matjiesfontein.
Kambrokind Guest House, Sutherland
Stargazing and snow in the Karoo at Kambrokind Guest House with lectures about Astronomy at "Sterland" while being served Karoo Curry |  |
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| Bead and Breakfast in Sutherland's main road you will find the old style 4 Star Bed and Breakfast of Rita and Jurg Wagener called Kambrokind. Accommodation: Six en-suite rooms are available at Kambrokind of which one is a Self-Catering unit. A sheltered outside braai (BBQ), "Die Tolhuis" with microwave, DSTV, cutlery and crockery is also available to all guests. Five secure carports are available. Activities: They do a monthly Stargazing cession called "Stars to Midnight", the first weekend after New Moon with lectures about Astronomy, they provide light meals like home made Karoo Curry and rice, braaivleis etc. This event is on a Friday and Saturday. Booking is essential in both cases as only a limited number of visitors are allowed. They also have 3 x 11 inch (280 mm) Celestron GO -TO telescopes on the smallholding Sterland, just 1 km outside town in the direction of Matjiesfontein. Directions: Main Road Sutherland |
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| Tel. (+27) 082 556 9589 (023) 5711 405 | email: info@sutherlandinfo.co.za Fax: (023) 5711 140 Sutherland Info |
Sutherland Guest House, Sutherland
Combine Karoo snow with Karoo stars in one unique Sutherland experience |  |
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| Two Star Graded Guest House in the heart of famous Sutherland. Accommodation: 3 Guest rooms with own bathrooms with showers. 1 Bathroom has shower and bath. Two rooms with double beds, 1 of which has double and single bed. Part of the house is a self-catering unit with 2 rooms, each room has a double and single bed, a kitchenette, own bathroom and own entrance. 4 Rooms in total, including the self-catering unit which is part of the house. 11 people can be accommodated in total. Towels and soap provided. Coffee and tea facilities available. Outside braai for own use. Electric blankets and heaters for cold winter nights. Fireplace inside lounge. Activities: Stargazing tours can be organised at the Observatory, tel: +27 23 5711205 Directions: From the Matjiesfontein road enter Sutherland and keep straight on, pass the Hotel and turn right into the first street after the Hotel. The house is next to the first stop on your left hand side. Turn left at the stop street and you will be in front of the yellow house. Please phone Ester Jordaan when you arrive. |
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| Tel.: +27 23 5711257 or Cell: 082 579 6238 | email: trom@hantam.co.za Fax: +27 86511 2578 Sutherland Guest House |
Karoo Houses, Colesberg
Old World Charm in the Great Karoo, each cottage has been declared a national monument which makes this venue a unique experience.
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d doors are unique.Accommodation: From 2 to 8 guests per house. Each house has a fully equipped kitchen. English breakfast can be ordered upon bookings.
If you arrive early you can buy karoo lamb from the butcheries and enjoy a relaxing braai in the beautiful gardens behind the house.
Activities: Restaurants and shops are walking distance from the houses.
Directions: Karoo Houses are centrally located in a quiet street. Bell Street, Colesberg.
| Tel: +27 (0)51 753 0582 | e-mail: hvzvorster@absamail.co.za Fax: +27 (0)51 753 0582 Karoo Houses |
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Index: The following establishments can be found on the N1 Route from Cape Town to Colesberg.
SoetKaroo Wine Estate, Prince Albert,
Karoo Birding Safaris, Beaufort West,
African Kombi Tours, Beaufort West,
Teri-Moja Game Lodge, Beaufort West,
Kambrokind Guest House, Sutherland,
Sutherland Guest House, Sutherland,
Karoo Houses,Colesberg,
