The little town of Prince Albert is like a breath of fresh air after hours of traversing the long straight roads of the Karoo. It’s also the perfect counterfoil to the bustle after a stay in Cape Town before heading off along the Garden Route.
You’ll need to take a substantial detour of almost 5 hours to get there, but it’s well worth it for a number of reasons. Most people stay for just one night, but you’ll find plenty to entertain you in this sleepy village for a few days or more.
Unspoiled Beauty
Thanks to it’s off-the-beaten track location, Prince Albert does not attract hordes of tourists, and has maintained its small-town charm which is bolstered by plenty of fresh air and gorgeous landscapes. You can take it all in on the mountain bike trails, scenic runs and walks or leisurely drives around the countryside.
The Swartberg Pass with its many twists and turns is a delightful UNESCO World Heritage area, filled with unique fauna and flora. If you’re heading towards Oudtshoorn or Montagu on your journey, don’t miss the equally spectacular Meiringspoort Pass along the way.
Unique Activities in Prince Albert
Like all tiny towns, Prince Albert is filled with charismatic, hospitable locals. Get to meet them at the weekly Saturday Market, which also overflows with local produce and unique arts and crafts.
The Fransie Pienaar Museum in town has the distinction of having beaten stiff competition to win the title of Best Museum in the Western Cape for 2018. Pop in for a look at the wonderful fossils that have been around since before the dinosaurs, the rugby memorabilia and the (still operational) Witblitz Distillery.
Stargazing is at its best in the Karoo with its unspoiled night skies and you can get to wish upon a star when you book an evening with tour guides specializing in celestial activities.
Go ghost hunting with the entertaining Ailsa Tudhope, who’ll fill you in on the history of the town along the way. At least 10 ghosts have been spotted in the town, including one that bakes bread and some that play poker at the Prince Albert Hotel.
Catch a movie at Jans Rautenbach Schouwburg, which used to be an outhouse or the classic art-deco style Showroom Theatre, which used to be a car dealership. If you’re visiting in early July, you could catch the Indie Karoo Film Festival which has been hosted by Prince Albert every year since 2015.
Karoo Culture
Sample the joys of Adams figs at Welteverede Fig Farm, discover award-winning olives at Kredouw, and sip on sophisticated sweet wines at Fernskloof and Reiersvlei. Gay’s Dairy sells real old-style dairy products.
True Karoo features gorgeous original art pieces made from things found in the area and put together by artist Trudy Brain.
An artist in her own right, Brita Nathan produces handmade dolls to order using local fabrics like Merino wool. You can see some of her creations at Karoo Looms and The Lazy Lizard.
These are just a few of the attractions that are starting to draw the crowds to this small Karoo settlement. Get in touch if you’d like to include this part of the Karoo in your South African itinerary, before everyone latches on.
