Before the sun rises, take a walk along the Robert Gordon Koppie. Yes, this is the view that you are looking at right now from Karoo View Cottages, where the paths are marked and you will be able to get close to nature and at the same time experience the sun rising up over the Swartberg Mountains and magnificent views overlooking the village of Prince Albert as it awakens. Have breakfast at either La-Di-Dah or the Lazy Lizard before setting off to explore the village on your return to Karoo View.
For those “who seek adventure” from Mountain Biking, Cycling to Hiking, there are many interesting routes available. Directly from Karoo View Cottages, head out for the Gamkapoort Dam, Swartberg Mountain, or for the more adventurous who don’t mind the adrenaline pumping, venture into Die Hel.
For those who enjoy Hiking there are various Hiking routes in and around the village;
Bushman Valley, just 4km outside of the village offer hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty,
Swartberg Hiking Trail, you can collect a map and Permit from the Lazy Lizard restaurant,
Robert Gordon Koppie, directly in front of Karoo View has magnificent views overlooking the village and Swartberg and can be accessed right here at Karoo View, just behind the Blacksmith’s Forge.
For those who would prefer something less energetic, why not visit our 3 Labyrinths as each is situated in completely different surroundings;
Karoo Labyrinth in the centre of the village at St John the Baptist Church
Bushman Valley Labyrinth 4km from the village
My Shire take the Weltevrede Road and travel 25km and at the T Junction turn left is on Witplaat Farm is an 11 circuit Labyrinth in the vast, open beauty of the Great Karoo at the end of the Weltevrede valley. Experience a moment that lasts a lifetime! "In choosing a style of Labyrinth, I felt that the 11-circuit medieval labyrinth based on that at Chartres Cathedral in France, which dates back to 1201, was the perfect one for the Karoo. It represents so much: the cross in the Labyrinth divides it into four quadrants representing: the four elements (Earth Water Air Fire), the four directions (North South East West), the four Gospels (Matthew Mark Luke John) and the four seasons (Winter Summer Spring Autumn). The six Rose petals in the centre of the Labyrinth represent the six days on which God created the Earth and the centre of the Rose is the seventh day, on which He rested." – by Lisa Smith "Naturally, the Labyrinth is wheelchair friendly and believe it or not, even our horses are walking it with Gary, my husband!"
Who said that the Karoo wasn’t for golfers? Why not take in a 9 hole on the unique sand and oil greens of the Prince Albert Karoo Golf Course, where only Van plays with a yellow golf ball in Spring Time . . ., oh don’t forget your piece of Astro turf for teeing off.
Talking of Spring in the Karoo, wow how the vegetation ‘comes alive’ after our winter rains, and as far as the eye can see is covered in a multitude of colour, as every inch is amass of blooms. So who needs to trek to the far northern regions of the Province, when you can experience this and much more, in the surrounding areas and here at Karoo View Cottages, as it is a sight to behold when you draw back your curtains upon waking.
For those who wish to laze away the day, why not pack up a picnic basket and head to the Swartberg Pass where you will find a couple of picnic spots:
Eerstewater, First water, so named as this was a place that the draught animals could be outspanned and watered when coming out of the pass. There are also ruins of the convict base camp which housed the convicts building the pass for Thomas Bain.
Tweedewater, Second water, where the older people of the village waited for the water level to drop before they could cross the drift.
Malvadraai, Geranium Bend, so named as Geraniums are prolific in this area and it is also the start of one of the most beautiful walking trails in the Swartberg.
Teeberg, Tea Mountain, where you will see the well-known Honey Tea Bush growing.
If the past interests you, take in a Fossil Tour and visit Karoo fossil sites as well as view bushman paintings with either Dr Judy Maguire or Dr Brian Rademeyer from Koekmakranka Tours. Largest private Fossil collection in SA.
Visit Lydia Barrella's fascinating collection of minerals, quartzes, gem stones and related collector pieces. Lydia and her late husband built this collection of interesting, rare and spectacular minerals over a period of almost four decades. The collection is housed in a large room in a beautiful 1850 homestead and Lydia will keep you enthralled with her explanations about the formation of minerals and the stories about the history of some of the pieces in the collection. Spending time in Lydia's minerals room is a truly magical and unique experience that you will not find elsewhere. Children love this collection, so bring the whole family.
The Karoo offers a magnificent backdrop for photography with its crystal clear air and sky. Sam Reinders runs regular courses during the year and Louis Botha runs 3 courses during the year: Introduction to professional Photography:
The course is well balanced as far as course time and private time is concerned. It furthermore provides a good mix between visual and technical skills as well as between tuition and hands on learning. The course is presented in a relaxed and entertaining manner and is loaded with valuable tips and techniques that will help you.
Have a guided tour of Swartrivier Olive Farm 4 km from the village, where 50 to 80 tons of olives from 3000 trees are harvested each year and where you will be able to taste and buy their locally made award winning olive products, which are now being exported to the USA.
The newly opened “O” for Olive tea garden opened in early 2014 and offers Karoo Platters, Cake, Tea and of course Olive products.
A visit to Weltevrede Fig and Game Farm, 28km through the beautiful Weltevrede valley will amaze you, as you see numerous fruit farms, yes, right in the middle of the Karoo, where you will be able to stock up on your fig and pomegranate supplies, which are in great demand, as well as taking in a Game Drive.
