Calitzdorp is a quaint little town on the popular Route 62 in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. It lies within the Klein (Little) Karoo, 4-hours’ drive from Cape Town between Ladismith and Oudtshoorn (30-minutes). The Klein Karoo is an arid and in places mountainous region. Approaching Calitzdorp from the north-west on the R62, the 13.4km Huisrivier Pass is a highlight. It meanders its way through fynbos-covered mountains with deep ravines, gorges and high cliffs all around. There are numerous viewpoints where you can get out of your car and take in the beautiful surroundings.
The town of Calitzdorp is known as the “Port Capital of South Africa”, as it produces world class port - a concentrated fortified wine. However, some years ago a trade agreement with the European Union barred South Africa branding its product as such, with the term ‘Port’ exclusively linked to a geographical region in Portugal (the Douro Valley). But Calitzdorp still produces great port, only now it’s referred to as port-wine or port-style wine or by some similar moniker… Have some when you’re there!
The local climate is perfect for vino-culture, with hot dry summers and cold wet winters - often punctuated with snow covering the higher reaches of the surrounding mountains to the north, south and west. Calitzdorp is well geared to outdoor enthusiasts. Activities on offer include fishing, bird-watching, 4×4 and other scenic routes, horse-riding, mountain biking, hiking and wine tasting - to name but a few.. About 20km south of town, the Calitzdorp Spa is a popular destination, featuring private chalets, open surrounds and natural hot spring baths / pools.
This is a circular 5 day scheduled tour departing from Cape Town. Route 62 journeys through the valleys and mountain passes of the Klein Karoo. On the Garden Route you’ll focus on Knysna You return to Cape Town via the Cape South Coast. Mountain scenery, wildlife, ocean and more.
Highlights:
Oudtshoorn
,
Cango Caves
,
Route 62
,
Garden Route
,
Knysna
,
Oudtshoorn ostrich farms
,
Mossel Bay
,
The Garden Route Game Lodge
,
The Bartolomeu Dias Museum
,
Swellendam
,
Hermanus
,
Cape Agulhas
.
The Klein Karoo (Little Karoo) in South Africa is the smaller brother, of the Great Karoo to its North. The Klein Karoo is a hot and dry fairly narrow valley that runs from East to West, bordered to the North by the Swartberg Mountain range and to the South by the Outeniqua Mountains.
Route 62 connects Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and is an exciting alternative to the National Road (N2). The R62 offers the traveler a constantly changing landscape with vineyards and fruit orchards, interspersed with dry arid areas, always surrounded by mountain ranges of different kind and shape.
Barrydale in the Tradouw Valley is one of the picturesque small towns in the Klein Karoo. The narrow and fertile Tradouw Valley is nestled between the Langeberg and Swartberg Mountain ranges. The historic and well preserved church, shops and houses add to a lovely picture when one enters the valley and approaches the town.