The Karoo is the vast heart of South Africa where few people live and fewer visit, in part because it is an inhospitable, arid land. However the Klein Karoo allows the inquisitive traveller to experience life on the fringes of this remarkable region. It feels a bit like a land time forgot. Dusty roads carve over red sandstone mountains where folded strata tell a story millions of years old, hiding quaint Victorian towns and the dramatic Cango Caves. This system of caverns is easily accessible and boasts some amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations, imaginatively lit to make the most of their remarkable setting. Ostrich farms are everywhere, a quirk of the Victorian craze for ostrich feathers, whilst the region is also where the best South African port is grown. The real attraction of this part of South Africa is its contrast to the nearby Garden Route. Tourism hasn’t penetrated as deeply here, and the pace of life is noticeably slower. The scenery is more stark and imposing and whether you choose to stay here or visit from the Garden Route, it’s well worth your time.