This past weekend saw the start of a truly South African experience and after a trek and a half I arrived in time to see the sights and hear the sounds of the Klein Karoo Nationale Kunste Fees (in English, the Little Karoo National Arts Festival). Held in Oudtshoorn, it is a celebration of the all the wonder that is Afrikaans culture and art.
After a 5 hour drive down the Whale Route past Gordon’s Bay, Kleinmond and on to Mossel Bay before taking a sharp turn inland and over the Outeniqua Mountains you get to Oudtshoorn. It’s a beautiful little town famous for ostriches, heat and the nearby Cango Caves… oh, and ostriches. Did I say that already? Well, there are many of these flightless birds in these parts and it is big business! Apart from the annual influx of tourists for the week long festival, the feathers keep the town flying high and are in high demand in the fashion capitals of the world.
My drive back to Cape Town was along the famous Route 62. The endless desert road, flanked by mountains and not much else, is a gruelling one. Dotted with little towns famous for the strangest things you might come across, whether it’s the award winning Port in Calitzdorp or a little farm stall on the outskirts of the town that is a pioneer in the field of Solar Ovens. You will also see geological marvels like the Red Hills.
As you make your way back to the Mother City, less isolated towns like Montagu and Robertson greet you with vinyards and orchards. You’ll see many a cellar that you might only have ever seen on the labels in your local bottle store.
While my visit was a quick two day roundtrip, I suggest you contact one of our travel consultants to plan your Garden Route experience and turn this 1000km round trip into a leisurely journey of fine spirits and feathered friends.
