The quirky Karoo road trip
The best way that I can describe a Karoo road trip is bietjie mal. Not broken — just a little sideways. Flat light, bakkie stickers, and towns that look asleep until you find the diner that serves a milkshake in a vintage petrol pump. I used to think “Karoo” just meant empty. Then Route 62 taught me empty is the point.
The feel of the place
Expect long straight stretches, mountain passes that suddenly wake you up, farm stalls selling things you did not know you needed, and skies that feel wider than the map. The Klein Karoo is gentler than the high plains — vineyards, sandstone kloofs, and enough eccentricity to keep the glovebox full of dried fruit.
Towns worth lingering in
- Montagu: You squeeze through Cogmanskloof and land in dried-fruit country. Stock up at the Capedry Montagu Farmstall, then pretend you will not eat the packet before Barrydale.
- Barrydale: Small, creative, and the spiritual home of Route 62 kitsch. Stop at Diesel & Crème for a milkshake that takes itself seriously, then continue toward the most famous “shop” in the Karoo.
- Calitzdorp: Port-wine town with a sandstone church that photographs like a postcard. Taste something sticky at Calitzdorp Cellar — this is where the R62 goes full dessert-wine.
- Oudtshoorn: Ostriches, caves, and the busy heart of the Klein Karoo. Do the underground tour at the Cango Caves, then decide whether you are brave enough for an ostrich show farm.
- Prince Albert: The reward after Swartberg Pass — stoep gins, cheese, and that rare Karoo feeling of having arrived somewhere soft.
Best times to go
- March–May / September–November: Mild days, quieter roads, and passes that feel dramatic without the summer glare.
- December/January: Hot. The Karoo does not do subtle heat. Start early, chase shade at padstals, and save the big gravel passes for cooler hours.
- Winter: Crisp nights and golden afternoons — pack a proper jacket even if midday looks innocent.
Highlights
- Drink a ridiculous milkshake at Diesel & Crème
- Leave a cap (or just a story) at Ronnie’s Sex Shop
- Soak in the mineral water at Warmwaterberg Spa
- Wander the dripstone halls of the Cango Caves
- Taste port in Calitzdorp like you meant to be sophisticated
- Cross Swartberg Pass with the windows down
- Eat fire-grilled roosterkoek at Kobus se Gat near the pass
- Buy more cheese than fits in the cooler at Gay’s Guernsey Dairy
Road trips that fit
Open an interactive map of the Route 62 corridor below, or jump into the planner from the cards at the end of this post.
<p>Interactive map of this road trip.</p>
Route 62 is the quirky Klein Karoo line — Worcester toward Prince Albert via wine towns and farm stalls. If you want the big empty high Karoo instead, pair this with the Great Trek run up the N1.
Practical notes
- Distances look short and feel long — fuel up in Montagu, Barrydale, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, or Prince Albert.
- Swartberg Pass is gravel and spectacular; check weather and daylight before you commit.
- Summer sun is no joke; water, a hat, and an early start beat a heroic midday push.
- Padstal opening hours are… interpretive. Have a backup snack.
More photos and stops live on the routes themselves — use the planner links when you’re ready to build days around petrol, padstals, and overnight stays.
FAQ
What is the difference between Route 62 and the high Karoo?
Route 62 is the quirky Klein Karoo line — wine towns, farm stalls, and a little sideways energy. The Great Trek up the N1 is the big empty high Karoo.
Is Swartberg Pass tar or gravel?
Gravel, and spectacular. Check weather and daylight before you commit, and do not treat it as a shortcut in a rush.
When is the best time for Route 62?
March to May and September to November are milder, with quieter roads. December and January are properly hot. Winter nights are crisp even when midday looks innocent.
Where should I fill up?
Distances look short and feel long. Fuel in Montagu, Barrydale, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, or Prince Albert — and keep a backup snack, because padstal hours are interpretive.