Beaufort West, the oldest town in the Central Karoo, lies in a area which has been inhabited for centuries. Some of the world's most interesting stone-age sites have been discovered on its outskirts. Khoi-San people once lived here and fine examples of their rock engravings have been found nearby. The farmers arrived in the mid 1700's when Xhosa tribesmen also moved into this area which was once a swamp and is now one of the world's most interesting arid zones.
Beaufort West has fascinating museum based on this world famous operation. A rich and romantic history apanning almost two centuries tell of the Khoi-San who stretched on the rocks of the Nuweveld Mountain while murderous bands of runaway slaves, law-breakers, arms and liquor smugglers hid there.
But Beaufort West has much more than a fascinating history. A successful hydrophonics employment venture supplies fresh and dried herbs to the country's markets and tourists friendly accomodation establishments meet the needs of every taste and pocket.
One of the Western Cape's most well known draw cards, the Karoo National Park, is also right on its doorstep.
Here herds of game and newly intriduced Black Rhino roam peacefully on its beautiful plains.Beaufort West also boasts a wide variety of beautiful guesthouses, quaint B&B, private guest and hunting farms as well as an array of restaurants.
The Great Karoo has everything to offer for the adventure tourist including walking, kihing, hunting, horse riding, star gazing, mountain biking, 4x4 adventures, quad biking, game safari's and bird watching.The are also boasts over 9000fauna and flora species, and provides the opportunity to explore fascinating fossils ans to overnight in the veld. Nothing rivals the special tranquillity, space, silence and peace of the magnificent Karoo Plains.