Barren beauty
Vanwyksdorp lies in the heart of the Little Karoo, with the larger towns of Barrydale, Ladismith, and Calitzdorp to the north, and Riversdale and Herbertsdale to the south. But, no matter which direction you come from, you’ll be driving on a stretch of dirt road.
We arrive via the famous R62 from the Cape, then turn right between Barrydale and Ladismith. This is a good dirt road that leads you to Vanwyksdorp, 33 km on. Nothing stops you from towing a standard road caravan. What does matter, though, is in which site you set up camp with it.
We turn into the Karoo Bush Camp. If your caravan is slightly wider than your towing vehicle, it might get scratched and there’s a good chance you won’t be able to get through in certain places. The access road to the Rooiberg Lodge is wider, so there are no hindrances – unless you have expectations of supertubes, mini-golf courses, or an arcade games room at the campsite.
You are now in the barren beauty of the Karoo, with two camping jewels to add to your bucket list.
KAROO BUSH CAMP
A stoep on the Groot
The arid world kicks up clouds of dust as you and your caravan drive along the dirt road. Suddenly, an oasis appears in the distance with a large protruding white building. It can only be the Dutch Reformed Church, which has a seat for almost everyone in town: an
