Escape the bustle and delve into the stark beauty of the Karoo with this self-drive itinerary. This journey winds through rolling plains, quaint towns, and vast open skies. Our adventure begins at our 21 Nettleton home, a luxurious escape nestled on Cape Town’s most sought-after street, before venturing off the beaten path to the Mukti & Samara Karoo Reserve, a haven for endangered wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. For the ultimate indulgence, consider a flight into the Karoo straight from Cape Town International. This exclusive experience, with additional transfers upon arrival, can be tailored to your needs (at an additional cost).
There’s little that can prepare you for your first sighting of Cape Town, as few cities in the world can compare to it for its combination of dramatic mountains, picturesque vineyards, stunning beaches and urban energy. It just has that special something that consistently captivates the hearts of all who visit. This is best showcased with a stay at 21 Nettleton, where the unique personal experiences and superb views are the best in the city. Each of the private and individually styled suites in this boutique hotel are appointed with the finest modern amenities and ideally placed to appreciate the expansive views and stunning landscape. The focus here is to provide guests with a memorable, personalized and tranquil stay.
Find your inner peace at Mukti, a private Karoo retreat in Nieu-Bethesda. “Mukti” translates to “spiritual liberation” in Sanskrit, perfectly capturing the essence of this soulful escape.
Unwind and reconnect in this tranquil haven, a little piece of paradise nestled in the slow-paced charm of a Karoo town.
Thoughtfully restored, the cottage retains its heritage character while boasting beautifully curated interiors and top-quality amenities for a truly comfortable stay.
Encircled by a natural amphitheatre of mountains, Karoo Lodge sits in complete serenity within Samara Karoo Reserve’s 67,000 acres of born-again wilderness. Combining modern comforts with a quintessentially “Karoo” welcoming feel, this family-friendly lodge is the perfect place to absorb the tranquillity of the reserve and explore its many treasures.
Samara itself is one of South Africa’s most diverse safari destinations, comprising five vegetation biomes across strikingly varied topography, home to over 60 mammal species including the Big Five and cheetah, as well as 225 bird species. Guests at Samara are treated to intimate and exceptional safari encounters, enabling them to reconnect with Nature in the context of Samara’s ambitious rewilding vision.
Day 1 - 4
Day 5 - 6
Day 7 - 10
Enquire now and our Travel Managers - Billy or Ingo - will get back to you within 24 hours.
This experience is available year round, the Karoo is a semi desert, so winters can be cold but the days are sunny.
If you are not a South African citizen, you’ll need to apply for a visa before you are allowed to enter the country. However, there are exemptions to this rule and visitors from certain other countries do not need to apply for visas under certain conditions. Please clarify with a South African embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
The local currency is the South Africa Rand (R). This is the only currency accepted as payment.
ATMs (Cash machines)
There is a high number of ATM (cash machines) throughout South Africa. In rural areas such as Addo, there may be fewer. However, there is usually an ATM at petrol stations. So it is a good idea to draw cash when filling up your vehicle.
Paying with card
These days, most tourist-related venues have card facilities where one can pay with a credit/debit card. You can always ask your hotel/guest house to find out if the place you wish to visit has card facilities. You will need to contact your bank regarding what fees you will be charged each time you use your card, as well as what exchange rate you will receive. However, it is always a good idea to keep some cash on you, as smaller shops may not have card facilities.
Currency exchange vs using card
Whether it is cheaper to purchase South African Rand from a currency exchange office, or to use your card to draw your cash from ATMs and to pay with card depends on your bank. However, carrying a large amount of cash is not recommended for safety reasons. Important: It is critical that you notify your bank that you will be travelling to South Africa! If you don’t do this, your bank may disable your card for security reasons.
Easily customisable to extend or reduce stays or even change a property to an alternative. The order of destinations can also be reversed.
We recommend 6 – 8 months minimum. In addition, many of the properties we recommend are small and exclusive with limited availability.
Payment is required in advance and can be made by credit card or bank transfer. A deposit is required to secure your bookings and the balance is due by 60 days prior to travel.
