Take a day trip into the little Karoo and driving along some of the most scenic mountain passes are also a great way to spend some time. There are many routes that one could drive and these will be explained in detail over the breakfast table, but here is one to whet the appetite. Most of these trips are a full day from the Palms – Wilderness Guest House.
Leave after breakfast and head through George taking the Outeniqua pass to Oudtshoorn, from there join the Route 62 heading East towards the quaint town of De Rust where you can stop for coffee and take a short stroll down the main road or take a donkey cart ride to the other end of town. Leave De Rust and head to Prince Albert going through the majestic Meiringspoort, stop often at the very well maintained stopping areas and admire the beauty. Then head on through ostrich farms to Prince Albert. Prince Albert is a historical village with numerous restaurants along the main street to enjoy a welcomed lunch.
Refreshed and revitalized you are now ready to take on the magnificent Swartberg Pass, completed by Thomas Bain in 1888 with his customary gang of convicts. This was the last, but most definitely not the least of the passes that this great Road builder ever made. A compulsory stop at the top of Teeberg could give you a good idea of the hardships and great difficulties the men had to endeavor during the construction of this pass. Descend and approach Oudtshoorn once again, this time from the scenic Schoemanskloof. Pass straight through Oudtshoorn and continue back to George and Wilderness.
