Attractions
On the farm:
- Relax and enjoy the Karoo, wander around the farm.
- Visit the lonely grave of a British soldier, Pte. W Calver of the 16th Lancers, who died on Sep. 10, 1901.
- Go on the fossil trail and see for yourself where the therocephalians (“beast-heads”) diictodons and Pristerognathu lived 265 million years ago.
- Explore the quaint little town of Prince Albert (45km) where you can visit, fig – and olive farms and various other attractions.
- Take a drive over the majestic Swartberg Mountain Pass (48km).
- Visit the isolated wilderness area, known as “Die Hel” (Gamkaskloof), a mere 59 km away; or
- Meirings Poort, with its breath-taking scenery – an hour’s drive from the lodge; or
- The world renowned Cango Caves only 89 km away;
- The Karoo National Park, also only an hour’s drive away; or
- Start exploring the Karoo Highlands route which covers small Karoo towns such as Matjiesfontein, Sutherland, Fraserburg, Williston, Carnarvon, Loxton, Victoria West and Beaufort West.
Prince Albert is a delightful South African village in the Karoo, which is part of the Western Cape. Although we live in an arid region, we are blessed with water from the Swartberg Mountains, making the village a little oasis.
Prince Albert is known for its sun-ripened fresh and dried fruit, especially figs and apricots. In the Prince Albert Valley, to the south of the village, farmers have restored vineyards last farmed in the 19th century. Karoo lamb, olives, olive oil and cheese are local delicacies.
Enjoy the unexpected pleasures of Route 62 as you travel from Cape Town through Paarl, Wellington, the Breede River, Klein Karoo, the Langkloof, the beaches of Jeffreys Bay, Port Elizabeth and Addo National Park.
Route 62 meanders through a thousand kilometers of mountains, fertile valleys, semi deserts and offers a shorter alternative to the N2 Highway.
The wide open spaces beckon and you can head out across the veld to walk around the farm. Bird watchers can add to their list of Karoo birds and if you venture out far enough on the Bush Camp side of the farm, you will possibly catch a glimpse of our Dorper sheep flock. A fossil trail has also been opened in conjunction with the Department of Paleontology from the University of the Witwatersrand.
The famous artist Outa Lappies used to live in a cottage at the Prince Albert Road Station. He sadly passed away on 7th July 2011, and is known for the art he created from odds and ends others would throw away – the man who really made “something out of nothing.” You can see some of his work at the Fransie Pienaar Museum in Prince Albert.