The Klein Karoo

The vast area known as the Klein Karoo has always been a place of legend. It is an arid region which surprises the long-distance traveller with unexpected villages and farms where water is suddenly abundant. For one of my guests from Poland, standing in the summer sunshine while picking yellow clingstone peaches directly from the trees was a highlight of his week. For others it is the crystal air, the profound silence, and the indescribable beauty of the Milky Way which form enduring memories of their journey.

A little way beyond the ostrich farming town of Oudtshoorn, at the very end of the famed Route 62, lies the tiny village called De Rus. One can imagine the travails of the early settlers as they coaxed their teams of oxen to draw heavy wagons through the seemingly impassable river cuttings in the stony mountains. And we can imagine their relief on reaching a perfect little valley where they could outspan and regather their resources. At the end of one of these, the awe-inspiring Meiringspoort, lies De Rus (Place of Rest).

This village, with its mountain beauty and heritage architecture, has always attracted writers, artists and thinkers - and those who merely wish to spend time alone.

This and other gems await guests on our tours through this remarkable region close to Cape Town.

Homestead near De Rus