HARDEMANS KAROO
Regional borders are hard to define, especially in the Karoo. They aren't clearly marked, if they're marked at all, and the vague lines disappear among kriedorings or behind a koppie.
The Hardemans Karoo is one such region that leaves people scratching their heads. Most people say it's the area around Carnarvon, Williston, Fraserburg and Loxton. Some say Vanwyksvlei should be included; others say it doesn't exist at all. No one really knows where the name comes from, but I can venture a guess: It's a hard landscape for man and beast.
If you've never been, now is the time. This is the Karoo in its purest form. You can walk or drive around all day without seeing another soul. The sunrise smells like bossies and at night the stars hang low above the earth.
This part of the Karoo is known for its corbelled houses – stone “igloos” built by trek farmers in centuries gone by. If you want to see how people used to live in this region, stay in a corbelled house for a night – turn to page 83 – 84 for information about Stuurmansfontein and Osfontein, both near Carnarvon.
The Hardemans Karoo offers lovely places to sleep to suit all tastes. You don't have to collect water from a well or sleep on the ground like people used to in the past. New guest farms and campsites have opened in recent years
