GRAAF-REINET, South Africa

With its distinctive flat-topped sandstone mountain ranges surrounded by broad plains, Karoo is one of the most popular natural tourist areas in South Africa.

The semi-desert Karoo, which means "thirst" in the local language, has a unique calm, peaceful, and mystical atmosphere in a sparsely populated area where water is scarce. It is also a favorite holiday destination among South Africans and Western tourists alike, especially artists.

Located in the central and western parts of South Africa, Karoo covers roughly a third of the country with an area of approximately 400,000 square kilometers (about 248,500 sq miles).

Those who want to explore Karoo can choose from among several alternate paths. Karoo is traversed by the N1 road for about 650 kilometers (430 miles) from Cape Town to Johannesburg and by the N9 highway for roughly 800 kilometers.

The N9 connects the most popular Karoo destinations, including Graaff-Reinet, the Great Karoo National Park, Desolation Valley, and Nieu-Bethesda.

In the parched Karoo, towns and villages are concentrated around the few water supplies, with communities founded by European settlers in the 18th century featuring distinctive architecture.

Architecture in Karoo is characterized by single-story buildings with wooden shutters, verandas, courtyards, flat roofs, and white-painted stone dwellings. Due to their historical significance, several Karoo structures have been designated national monuments.

Graaff-Reinet, the largest and oldest community in Karoo, is South Africa's city where the most national monuments are found.

Land of fossils

The Fossil Museum in Graaff-Reinet, which has recently been the scene of a struggle between energy companies, locals, and environmentalists with the discovery of shale gas, is among the major attractions.

The Valley of Desolation, located 15 minutes from Graaff-Reinet, is one of the first sites that springs to mind when the Karoo comes to mind. With its steep sandstone cliffs, Cambedoo National Park offers a visual feast, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Its towering views of the plains reaching into the horizon, the observation terrace reveals a panoramic vista of Graaff-Reinet.