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Hi kwachs, and welcome to the forums!

We took my son to the Karoo NP for the Easter weekend when he was 3, and he loved it. He especially enjoyed the following activities:
- the "twisty windy road" up the mountain (Klipspringer Mountain Pass)
- the museum
- the fossil trail
- visiting the bird hide
- wandering around the camp, looking at the birds, tortoises and rocks

If your kids are older, then a morning or night drive would be fun - but you'd need to wrap up very warmly. There's also a lovely swimming pool, but I doubt you'll need that in June!

CT to the Karoo NP is an easy day's drive - I agree with afri-explore on that. Karoo NP is unusual in offering bed-and-breakfast if you stay in the chalets. It's especially useful if you're staying there en-route, and I guess that's why they do this.

I agree with Restio.

I have made a stop over on my way to Cape Town from G'teng, and my only sadness was that I had to leave so soon.
Because our stay was short, we made use of the Resturant facilities. That was outstanding.

Be warned of the cold at night. It is bitterly, bitterly cold. The day time is however lovely for walking.

It is an easy drive from CT, about 5 hours at a leisurely pace. The N1 is a good road.
The drive to Joburg is long but easily achievable in a single day if you wish. The N1 skirts the towns and there are regular petrol stops with cafe & toilet facilities. Going at the speed limit of 120 is easy.

Karoo NP is highly recommended! We stayed there in December last year. Our 4 year old loved it. Your kids will love the fossil trail and the museum. It is a really beautiful park.

Oh and we drove from JHB and overnighted in Bloemfontein.That's the best option , JHB straight to BW would be too far.

Thank you very much for all of the advice.

I am glad that Senyetse raised the subject of a stopover en route to Joburg.

Do others generally agree with Senyetse that Bloemfontein would be a better stopover than Kimberley? I have never been to either, so I have no real idea what they are like.

Thanks in advance!

Hi kwachs

I meant to say that you should overnight somewhere between Karoo and JHB . You could do either Bloem or Kimberley they are about the same distance from Karoo NP. However there are no toll fees on the Kimberley road and its a single lane road most of the way but it is in good condition. Do like we did and do the Bloem stopover on the way up and the Kimberley one on the way back for a change of scenery . There's lots of accommodation in both.

Kimberley has lots of historical sites eg the biggest man-made hole that started the diamond mining industry.

We are only going one way (we're visiting from the U.S.A. ...arriving in Capetown and leaving from Joburg)

It sounds like Kimberley is the more interesting option. I've always wanted to see the world's biggest hole in the ground!

The big hole is a must see, they have recently revamped the place.

Never been to Karoo NP before- can anyone advise on the best route to take from PE and when would be as good time to visit. Does one also have to book well in advance as with the Kruger?

hi Carolynn!
I sms'd someone who has done Karoo NP a few times (they love the park), they say booking is not as urgent as Kruger no; that any time of year is good but remember middle summer can be quite hot and middle winter quite cold hope that helps!
as for directions, I am quite dangerous giving those out, you could end up in Timbuktu but I am sure someone in the know will respond here.

Carolynn, I agree with what Jay has said. You don't need to book as far in advance - although obviously the earlier the better is still a good idea.

It get very hot in the summer, as you would imagine. There is a lovely swimming pool in the camp, which helps. Winter nights are freezing, but the cottages are snug.

thanks so much for info- now all I need to know is how to get there!! Are there any shopping facilities for provisions there?

Carolynn: there is a small shop in the park which shops the basics. But it's only a few minutes from Beaufort West, so you can always nip off to the shops there.

I have in fact driven from the Karoo to Addo, but can't find my map off-hand so can't give exact directions. I do remember that went via Graaff Reinet.

Hi Carolynn,

The angels were quick with the rest, but not directions typical

Your best bet looks to take the Longkloof and then the N12, or as an alternative, GR & Aberdeen, but I don't know the roads. It really looks a bit like 6 of one......