"The West Coast and Karoo offers one the chance to revel in space: vast, wonderfully overwhelming expanses of “nothing” that sing to the souls of those who long to wander under big African skies. These areas of rugged beaches and extensive landscapes are packed with fascinating corners and untold stories.”
- Narina Exelby
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PLAN MY JOURNEYWest Coast & Karoo
Along South Africa’s resilient West Coast, where the mighty Atlantic crashes onto the continent, the fynbos-covered landscape is exceptionally rich in wildlife. Eland, hartebeest, steenbok and duiker thrive along here, as do mongoose, caracals and shy bat-eared foxes. Birders delight in the flocks of waterbirds – pelicans, flamingos and gannets – that gather by the thousands along this dramatic stretch of coastline, which is frequented by seals, dolphins and migrating whales. Those who venture just a little further north of Cape Town during the early spring, heading for West Coast National Park or the scenic towns of Langebaan, Darling or Paternoster, are rewarded with sights of a landscape that is literally carpeted with colour. Wildflowers erupt into bloom just after the season’s first rains, and truly are one of South Africa’s most spectacular natural wonders.
From the West Coast, the vast Karoo creeps back into South Africa’s interior. Within this massive 400,000-square-kilometre area of semi-desert, there are game reserves, nature reserves, national parks, majestic mountains and grand, sweeping plains of shrubs. This region is perfect for road tripping and the little towns – “dorps”, they’re called in Afrikaans – each have a character of their own. Nieu Bethesda is famous for sculptor Helen Martins’ intriguing Owl House; Sutherland is all about star gazing; Cradock, which straddles the Great Fish River, hosts four major festivals each year; in Prince Albert, beautiful Victorian and Dutch buildings edge the village’s streets. In almost all Karoo towns, famed for their hospitality, the longer you stay the more you discover. This is the perfect area for those who like to travel slowly.
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
SUMMER
Ideal weather with mainly clear skies, very little rainfall and little wind. Midday temperatures will generally reach highs of around 25°C/77°F, occasionally going over 32°C/90°F. Nights are warm but comfortable.
The West Coast & Karoo, as with the rest of the Western Cape, can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SUMMER
Ideal weather with mainly clear skies, very little rainfall and little wind. Midday temperatures will generally reach highs of around 25°C/77°F, occasionally going over 32°C/90°F. Nights are warm but comfortable.
The West Coast & Karoo, as with the rest of the Western Cape, can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
AUTUMN
This can be a fantastic time of year to visit as the summer's heat subsides, the wind settles and autumn casts its brightly coloured mantle over the vineyards, generating red, burnished vistas spreading from the mountain tops to the sea. Midday temperatures of around 24°C/75°F, mornings can be a little chilly at times, so do pack a warm jumper.
The West Coast & Karoo, as with the rest of the Western Cape, can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
AUTUMN
This can be a fantastic time of year to visit as the summer's heat subsides, the wind settles and autumn casts its brightly coloured mantle over the vineyards, generating red, burnished vistas spreading from the mountain tops to the sea. Midday temperatures of around 24°C/75°F, mornings can be a little chilly at times, so do pack a warm jumper.
The West Coast & Karoo, as with the rest of the Western Cape, can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
WINTER
The arrival of Winter signifies cooler weather, increased rainfall with weather front often rolling in off the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by strong winds. In between the weather fronts, the weather can be surprisingly pleasant, these days are just less frequent. This is a spectacular time to see the Western Cape in all of its glory, but just be prepared for any weather!
The West Coast & Karoo, as with the rest of the Western Cape, can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
WINTER
The arrival of Winter signifies cooler weather, increased rainfall with weather front often rolling in off the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by strong winds. In between the weather fronts, the weather can be surprisingly pleasant, these days are just less frequent. This is a spectacular time to see the Western Cape in all of its glory, but just be prepared for any weather!
The West Coast & Karoo, as with the rest of the Western Cape, can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
WINTER
The arrival of Winter signifies cooler weather, increased rainfall with weather front often rolling in off the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by strong winds. In between the weather fronts, the weather can be surprisingly pleasant, these days are just less frequent. This is a spectacular time to see the Western Cape in all of its glory, but just be prepared for any weather!
The West Coast & Karoo, as with the rest of the Western Cape, can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SPRING
the first signs of Spring, which are can be particularly spectacular within this part of South Africa. Temperatures remain fairly cool, with a maximum average high of around 18°C/64°F, though the number of clear calm days is almost as high as the summer.
The West Coast & Karoo, as with the rest of the Western Cape, can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SPRING
With a flora and fauna as biodiverse as the Western Cape it is no surprise that spring can be spectacular period to visit. Temperatures remain fairly cool, with a maximum average high of around 20°C/67°F, though the number of clear calm days is almost as high as the summer.
The West Coast & Karoo, as with the rest of the Western Cape, can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SPRING
With a flora and fauna as biodiverse as the Western Cape it is no surprise that spring can be spectacular period to visit. Temperatures remain fairly cool, with a maximum average high of around 20°C/67°F, though the number of clear calm days is almost as high as the summer.
The West Coast & Karoo, as with the rest of the Western Cape, can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SUMMER
Ideal weather with mainly clear skies, very little rainfall and little wind. Midday temperatures will generally reach highs of around 25°C/77°F, occasionally going over 30°C/90°F. Nights comfortable.
The West Coast & Karoo, as with the rest of the Western Cape, can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SUMMER
Ideal weather with mainly clear skies, very little rainfall and little wind. Midday temperatures will generally reach highs of around 25°C/77°F, occasionally going over 32°C/90°F. Nights are warm but comfortable.
The West Coast & Karoo, as with the rest of the Western Cape, can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
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What People Say
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
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Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
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Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
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Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
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Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
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Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
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We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
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Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
