SWARTBERG ACTIVITIES
Night-Sky Explore
In the hands of skilled guides and under starlit Karoo skies, guests experience a
life-changing and spell-bound one-hour “tour” through the Southern Hemisphere's
celestial “High Five”. Learn more about the most prominent stars, planets,
constellations, galaxies and globular clusters.
Duration: 1 hr
Swartberg Pass “Sundowner” Trip
A sundowner and/or sunrise trip up the picturesque Swartberg Pass offers not only
panoramic vistas over the Klein- and Great Karoo, it also presents guests the
opportunity to get close to nature and learn more about the fauna and flora as
well as the geology and history of the Swartberg Pass.
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Swartberg Circular Route (via Prince Albert and Meiringspoort)
After exploring the World renowned Swartberg Pass we stop at Prince Albert for lunch. After
lunch, guests are introduced to the arid Great Karoo landscape and its diverse
succulents and karroid bush by skirting the northern slopes of the Swartberg
Mountains en-route to Meiringspoort. We visit the impressive 60 metre high
waterfall before meandering through the rest of Meiringspoort to the peaceful
Klein Karoo town;- De Rust. The tour continues past Dysselsdorp, which used to
be a mission station for the Khoi tribe who lived in the area. We then travel
via Oudtshoorn to our destination.
Duration: 7.5 hrs
Bird watching
Bird lovers can view up to 280 species in the Cango Valley. In the Redstone
Hills area alone more than 129 resident, 31 visitor, 14 intra-African migrant,
9 European migrant and 7 vagrant bird species have been recorded. Explore
our regions unique birdlife.
Swartberg Hiking Trails
The Swartberg Mountains offers numerous hiking trails which will meet any
hiker's expectations, whether novice or seasoned. Overnight mountain huts
are available for multi-day hikes. Detailed information on mountain trails,
distances and contours for your all inclusive holidays are available on
request. All hikes are tailor-made to hiker's specific needs and requirements
– all in all these are unforgettable experiences.
Visit the historical Gamkaskloof
Experience the unique opportunity to step back in time. This tour takes guests via
the Swartberg Pass into the Gamkaskloof, also known as “The Hell”. Guests experience
the tranquillity of this secluded kloof that, for nearly a century, was home to a
community that lived in isolation from the outside world. Traditional meals are
prepared by the Joubert family, who are related to the original “Klowers”. Overnight
accommodation is also available in the beautifully restored “kloof” houses managed
by Cape Nature.
Duration: Day trip - 7.5 hrs; Overnight – 1.5 Days
Prince Albert via the Swartberg
Explore the world-renowned Swartberg Pass by travelling to Prince Albert and back.
The ecological and geological riches are matched by the impressive dry-stone
techniques master engineer Thomas Bain used in constructing the Swartberg Pass,
which was completed in 1887. A light lunch in the Klein Karoo town of Prince Albert
(named after British Queen Victoria’s husband) is followed by a tour of the town and
region, discovering its roots and history.
Duration: 4.5 hrs
Traditional Meals at the Historical “Ou Tol” (Toll House) in the
Swartberg
Mountains
Enjoy a traditional meal at the historical “Ou Tol” mountain hut situated on the
Swartberg Pass. True South Travel has been granted a concession by Cape Nature to
manage this historical and iconic landmark. Being the founding member of the H.O.P.E
Foundation, the members of True South Travel decided to establish a “Conservation
Information Centre” at the “Ou Tol” from where the H.O.P.E Foundation will pioneer its
Conservation and social programmes. This initiative will also offer guests and
passersby the opportunity to relax in the Swartberg Mountains whilst learning more
about this unique “World Heritage Site”.
Leisure hikes (1.5 hrs) as well as multi-day Swartberg Mountain hikes are coordinated
from the “Ou Tol”.
Please visit: www.hopefoundation.co.za for more information on our conservation and
social programmes.
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