Activity Description

From the Guesthouse we travel north towards the majestic Swartberg Mountains. From the Southern foothills we start our ascend of nearly 900 meters up the Swartberg Mountains via the world renowned Swartberg Pass. The Swartberg Pass, a National monument, has a gravel surface and was constructed by renowned road engineer, Thomas Bain over a 4 year period and opened on 10 January 1888. The dry stone technique used to construct the pass required extreme manual labour and is as solid as it was when constructed 132 years ago.

Get close to nature and explore the spectacular Sandstone formations dating back more than 300 million years. Feast your eyes on the full splendour of diverse “fynbos” species ranging from various Protea species as well as “cone bush” and “pin cushions”. You may even spot a soaring Verreaux Eagle or Jackal Buzzard while the agility of the “Klipspringer” (small antelope) over the rugged sandstone formations will astound you.

At the summit (“Die Top”) of the Swartberg Pass, we enjoy a 170 kilometer panoramic view over the Great Karoo before enjoying a leisure walk on the Swartberg Pass. Your guide will also share with you the Leopard conservation initiative pioneered by the members of the H.O.P.E. Foundation.

After the leisure walk we descend the Swartberg Pass en-route to Prince Albert where we are treated to a light lunch. Departing from Prince Albert, you will be introduced to the arid Great Karoo landscape and its diverse succulents and karroid bush by skirting the northern slopes of the Swartberg Mountains, en- route to Meiringspoort. Time is spent at the 60 meter high waterfall in Meiringspoort, before snaking through the rest of the poort to the peaceful Little Karoo “Dorpie” – De Rust. From here we return to the Hotel / Guesthouse.

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