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The largest natural ecosystem in South Africa, the Great Karoo is one of the world’s scientific and archaeological wonders. The area takes it name from the bushmen who once used the area as their hunting and grazing land, naming it Kuru, which means dry or rough. Dominated by the coastal mountains of the Nuweveld, running in the south and west the 32,000ha reserve of Karoo National Park is home to original Karoo vegetation and an abundance of wildlife, including Springbok and panther tortoises. The area is at its most beautiful in the springtime, when the harsh environment is softened with the bloom of colourful flowers. Prehistoric fossil remains have been found in the rocks in this immense semi desert, so the area is also an archaeological wonder.
Often referred to as the ‘gem of the Karoo’ the area around the charming town of Graaff-Reinet is the most interesting part to visit. This elegant town is named after the first Governor Jacob van der Graaf and his wife Cornelia Reinet who first established authority in the region in 1786. A few miles north west of Graaf-Reinet is the Valley of Desolation where you can follow a circular hiking trail into the mountains that surround the valley – the ideal way to admire the amazing views of the endless expanse of the Karoo.
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