South Africa · Geological Wonders

4-Day Cape to Karoo Geology Tour through Swartberg Pass

4 Days Round trip from Cape Town Easy pace
Karoo Geology Tour
Little Karoo
Swartberg Pass
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The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore the geology and geological history of the Western Cape, South Africa
  • 02 Visit geological sites exposing different rocks and formations of the famous Cape Supergroup
  • 03 Explore the Karoo National Park, its geology, and its fauna and flora
  • 04 Venture into the famous Great Karoo region to examine rocks of the Karoo Supergroup
  • 05 Tour through the Swartberg Pass and marvel at the beauty of the mountains

Journey through the Western Cape, South Africa, exploring the region's rich geological and palaeontological history and landscapes. Starting at Sea Point in Cape Town, visit a very important and famous geology site that Darwin saw during his voyages. Continue to the Great Karoo and the fabulous Karoo National Park near Beaufort West, then travel south to the picturesque town of Prince Albert at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains and the infamous Swartberg Pass. Along the way, explore some of the best examples of geological upheaval and folding of sedimentary rocks for which the Cape Fold Mountains are famous, before returning to Cape Town via the Little Karoo region.

Starting at Sea Point in Cape Town, visit a very important and famous geology site that Darwin saw during his voyages.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Karoo
Languages Afrikaans, English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Cape Town to the Great Karoo Geological Journey

  • 07h30 - Pick up from your accommodation in Cape Town.

  • 07h45 - Visit the famous geological contact zone at Sea Point. Here, two completely different rocks are intermingled.

  • 08h30 - Travel to the coastal town of Blaauwberg, visiting rocks dating back to a volcanic episode in the Cape's history.

  • 09h30 - At the town of Yzerfontein, while enjoying fabulous views of the ocean, view Diorite rocks, a rare sight in South Africa.

  • 10h30 - Stop for brunch or an early lunch.

  • 12h30 to 15h00 - Travel inland through the Cape Fold Mountains, visiting and stopping at various road cuts and rock exposures.

  • By 16h00, check in to your accommodation.

2
Day 02

Great Karoo and Karoo National Park Geology Tour

  • 08h00 - Depart for the Great Karoo and the Karoo National Park.

  • 09h00 to 14h00 - Enjoy a geological journey, visiting various rock exposures of the Karoo Supergroup Formation.

  • 14h00 to 15h30 - Lunch in the town of Beaufort West.

  • 15h45 - Check in to your accommodation at the Karoo National Park.

  • 16h30 to 18h00 - Tour the landscape and geology of the park.

  • 18h30 - Return to your accommodation and have dinner.

3
Day 03

Prince Albert and the Famous Swartberg Pass

  • 08h00 - Depart for Prince Albert and your next accommodation venue.

  • 10h00 to 12h30 - Arrive in Prince Albert and enjoy a tour up and through the famous Swartberg Pass.

  • 13h00 to 14h30 - Lunch in Prince Albert.

  • 14h30 - Check in to your accommodation.

  • 15h00 to 18h00 - Afternoon at leisure and/or a visit to the town.

  • 18h30 - Dinner.

4
Day 04

Little Karoo and Meiringspoort Pass to Cape Town

  • 08h00 - Depart for the Little Karoo and Oudtshoorn via the majestic Meiringspoort Pass.

  • 08h30 to 09h30 - Tour through Meiringspoort Pass, stopping at various viewpoints.

  • 10h00 to 11h00 - Take a tea break in the quaint little town of De Rust.

  • 11h00 to 13h30 - Journey through the Little Karoo and explore its geological setting.

  • 13h30 to 14h30 - Lunch in the town of Barrydale.

  • 14h30 to 17h30 - Return to Cape Town via the R62 and N1.

  • 18h00 - Reach Cape Town.

Sea Point contact zone, Swartberg Pass, Karoo National Park, Meiringspoort Pass

Where this trip takes you

Sea Point contact zone, Swartberg Pass, Karoo National Park, Meiringspoort Pass

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Cape Town 3 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Pick-up and return to your accommodation or hotel in Cape Town

  • Safe and comfortable transport in air-conditioned minibuses or 4x4 vehicles when necessary

  • Expert and friendly South African guides

  • Comfortable accommodation at hotels, guesthouses, or National Park chalets

  • Meals - breakfast and dinner included (lunch and drinks are for the client's own account)

  • Entrance fees

  • Water

What's Not Included

  • Personal snacks and drinks

  • Lunches are for the client's own account

What to bring

  • Appropriate clothing for the season

  • Good walking shoes

  • Hat

  • Binoculars

  • Sunscreen

  • Your own medications

Know before you go

  • Optional extras, if any, are excluded from the entrance fees.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Cape Town, South Africa
Tour start
Cape Town, South Africa
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began, in Cape Town.

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Starting from

ZAR 29,590 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room ZAR 29,590.00 — ZAR 45,540.00
Double Sharing ZAR 29,590.00 — ZAR 37,950.00

When

Travellers

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