Swartberg Pass to Karoo National Park

December 10 - 12, 2018

We drove Route 62, the South African equivalent to Route 66, from Worcester to Calitzdorp. Beautiful drive, but very hot and dry landscape. From there we drove a dirt road over Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert. The road was a little rough and a very popular dusty route. We ended the day in Karoo National Park.

Calitzdorp Station Campsite. The old railway station converted to a campsite. We had it to ourselves, so we parked up in the shade next to the patio. It was very pleasant.

Red Stone Hill area - just outside of Calitzdorp.

Heading toward Swartberg Pass Road. It crosses the mountains in the left side of the photo.

Road up Swartberg Pass.

Nearing the top of the pass.

Mountain meadows were green and blooming with wild flowers on the Calitzdorp side of the Pass.

Made it to the top of the pass.

Looking back at the valley floor.

Looking down on the Prince Albert side of the pass. It was no longer green meadows.

Lots of views of deep rocky gorges.

Great views of rocky mountains every direction.

We finally encountered a little bit of water in the stream at the bottom of the pass. 

Karoo National Park

Vachellia Karroo, a sweet thorn bush. These grow everywhere. The thorns are long and sharp.

There were three very large tortoises in the campground. The campground had signs posted to check under your vehicle before leaving for tortoises. We saw them under cars and the people trying to figure out how to get the tortoises to move so they could leave.

I think he and his buddies were the campground lawn mowers. When not resting under cars they were eating the grass.

Village Weaver Bird

View point in the Karoo NP.

Mountain Zebra

Red Hartebeest

Eland

Gemsbok

Pair of young elands.

Why did the tortoise cross the road? And why wasn't this little guy in the campground mowing the lawn?