Quirky Karoo Route 62 Road Trip
Route 62 is made for travellers who like small towns with personality. There are odd padstals, old buildings, mountain scenery and more than a few places that make you pull over because the name caught your eye.
Highlights include:
- Exploring the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
- Taking a guided bicycle tour around Montagu with Flying Feet
- Ordering a gourmet milkshake at Diesel & Crème
- Stopping at Ronnie’s Sex Shop
- Visiting the sandstone church in Calitzdorp
- Exploring the Cango Caves
- Touring Safari Ostrich Farm
South Africa road trip from Worcester to Oudtshoorn (453 km, about 6 hours driving). Plan this trip with Sideroads Africa.
Stops along the way
Day 1
- Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden: SANBI garden in Worcester at the foot of the Hex River Mountains — succulents, spring daisy displays, and walking trails.
- Karoo Proviant: Restaurant at Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden — Karoo breakfasts on the veranda near the lower parking.
- Worcester Museum: Kleinplasie open-air museum on Robertson Road — pioneer farm buildings, live crafts, and Boland agricultural history.
- Montagu Dried Fruit & Nuts: Montagu factory shop for dried fruit and nuts at factory prices — also home to a wine boutique and bistro.
- Blu Vines Bistro: Montagu garden bistro blending Karoo tranquillity with Mediterranean flavours and local produce.
- Flying Feet: Montagu outfit offering guided town bike tours hiking trails and bicycle rentals to explore the Klein Karoo.
- Wolwehoek Private Nature Reserve: Secluded Keisie Valley reserve 20 km from Montagu on the R318 — cliff cottage and off-grid tented camp (4x4 for the kloof).
Day 2
- Diesel & Crème Diner: Retro Route 62 diner in Barrydale famous for gourmet milkshakes and vintage petrol-station memorabilia.
- Astron Energy Route 62 Barrydale: Iconic scenic route petrol station along Route 62 featuring local farm stall and cafe.
- Ronnie’s Sex Shop: A famous, eccentric Route 62 pub covered in traveler memorabilia, caps, and road trip history.
- Uitkyk Eatery: Restaurant at Calitzdorp Wine Cellar — lunch on the cellar stoep in Klein Karoo port country.
- Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk @ Calitzdorp: Neo-Byzantine national monument church famous for sandstone architecture and hand-woven biblical tapestries.
- Hlangana Lodge: 4-star Victorian guest house on North Street — garden, saltwater pool, and the overnight in Oudtshoorn before Cango Caves.
Day 3
- Engen Oudtshoorn: Main Klein Karoo fuel stop in Oudtshoorn before Swartberg Pass or the N12 south.
- Cango Caves: Wander deep underground into vast limestone chambers filled with eerie ancient dripstone formations.
- Safari Ostrich Farm: Working ostrich show farm outside Oudtshoorn with tractor safaris and chick-rearing tours.