About
The Karoo Hiking Tour is a 103 km circular walk through a section of the Great Karoo that lies beyond the main highway corridors. It uses marked two-track roads, farm routes, passes and river country, with equipment transported between simple tented camps.
The route is associated with the wider area where Sylvester the lion became known, but the hike should stand on its own as a long-distance Karoo circuit: wide plains, thornveld, high plateau, red koppies and long views alongside the Karoo National Park boundary.
Hike directions
The group meets at Welgemoed campsite, roughly 71 km from Beaufort West, and leaves vehicles there for the duration of the circuit. The first afternoon is for settling into camp.
The walk to Oukloof is the longest early stage at about 27.5 km. It follows two-track and gravel roads through the upper Koekemoers River area before entering Oukloof Pass, where the route may cross the winding river repeatedly.
Day three covers about 26 km to Tweefontein, climbing before easing onto the Nuveld Mountains plateau. The next 22.5 km stage descends toward the upper Leeu River through a changing landscape of red koppies and deeper drainage lines. The final 27 km returns toward Welgemoed along the Karoo National Park boundary, with expansive views over the last section.
What to expect
This is endurance walking, not technical mountain scrambling. The stages are long, with open sun, wind and sharp temperature changes between day and night. The routes are marked, but hikers should still follow the current organiser briefing and avoid leaving the designated path on private land.
Bring your own tent and bedding, a functional day pack, sun protection, enough water capacity, trail shoes, warm evening layers, headlamp, personal eating equipment and basic toiletries. River crossings and ground conditions depend on weather; ask the organiser about current conditions before travel.
Camps
The circuit uses straightforward wilderness-style camps, with equipment transported ahead. The opening camp at Welgemoed has basic bush toilets and simple warm-water washing arrangements; facilities at the intermediate stops should be confirmed before booking.
About the area
The route moves from sweet-thorn country through Oukloof Pass and onto the open Nuveld plateau, then back through the headwaters of the Leeu River. Wildlife may be encountered near the Karoo National Park boundary, but this is primarily a landscape-and-distance hike. Respect farm access, keep gates as found and leave the arid environment exactly as you found it.
Address and contact details
Start/finish: Welgemoed campsite, approximately 71 km from Beaufort West, Western Cape.
The precise meeting instructions, camping arrangements, route conditions and booking contact must be confirmed directly with the operator.
