Karoo: Becoming a Tourist “Must-see”?

Longing for a break from reality? Does it feel as though you haven’t had a proper escape from your constant routine of everyday life? Have you been feeling restless after months of primarily being stuck at home due to COVID-19? Then it’s high time for you to indulge in a luxurious bush escape that will captivate your inner wild-child, at a location known for its biodiversity, topography, geology and climate – the Klein Karoo.

Discover why a bush breakaway to White Lion Lodge is just the right medicine you need to heal your tired, restless soul and reignite that passionate inner child within yourself.

Whether it’s the sunrises, the smells or the animal sightings that get your heart rate rising, when it comes to the joys of the bush, there’s a big difference between that of a northern getaway to that of a Karoo adventure – some of which are unknown to most. The White Lion Lodge offers four individual stilted, unique glass and thatch suites which will turn any non-bush lover into an immediate bush-enthusiast. Each suite boasts a spacious bedroom, dressing room, full bathroom and its own outdoor shower which is a definite must-try for any luxurious vacationer. Each suite furthermore, equipped with a fireplace, satellite television, under floor heating, air-conditioning, mini-bar fridge, tea and coffee making facilities.

Panoramic views over the riverbed can be enjoyed from your private wooden veranda, offering a picturesque view from the mountaintops. The bathroom offers twin hand basins, a spacious bath, separate rain dance shower, toilet and bidet which are cleverly decorated with hand painted fabrics and custom made furniture, which blend in with nature and the environment.

The Karoo is partly defined by its low rainfall, arid air, cloudless skies, and extremes of heat and cold. The Karoo also hosted a well-preserved ecosystem hundreds of million years ago which is now represented by many fossils.

On the southern fringe of the Karoo lies the Klein Karoo, an arid area that still supports sufficient life to make farming viable. Stark mountains are traversed by dramatic passes and towns retain a frontier air. The people here are remarkably hospitable and the atmosphere is markedly different from that of the Cape Region and Garden Route. The Klein Karoo is very rich in plant species. Almost 3200 have been recorded of which more than 400 are endemic. One of the highlights of this region is that of the Sanbona Reserve which exists within various flora kingdoms, namely; Acacia Thickets, Nama Karoo, Renosterveld, Succulent Karoo, Central Mountain Fynbos.

The climate is semi-arid with rainfall mainly in the winter month. The Klein Karoo is traditionally hot and dry, with cooling south-westerly winds during the afternoons in summer, making it ideal conditions for a lovely sunset game drive. On average the nights cool down to 15C – 20C degrees in summer. Very little rain occurs during summer, and if it does, it is usually in form of thunderstorms. Normally the area receives about 250mm-350mm of rain per year, mostly in the winter months. The lowest rainfall (6mm) is in January and the highest (27mm) in August. The coolest months are July & August, when the mercury drops to -2 & -4 degrees Celsius on average during the night, but during the day the temperatures range between comfortable 15-20 degrees, ideal safari conditions.

Experience the Beauty of the Western Cape

Surrounding yourself with nature is good for boosting morale, so for a nature experience, you’ll want to book your wilderness escape at White Lion Lodge. A great deal of hard work and dedication has gone into – and continues to go into – ensuring that the Sanbona Reserve is well-protected and preserved. Animals, which used to roam freely in former times, are being reintroduced to reserve. The Big Five – Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant, Rhinoceros as well as other species such as Gemsbok, Springbok, Hartebeest, Eland, Kudu, Zebra, Cape Mountain Zebra and Giraffe can be seen on this wildlife reserve.

The White Lion project returned an integrated lion pride including adult males and female white lions back to the wild. The Riverine rabbit, which can be seen on night drives is endemic to parts of the Klein Karoo and is one of the most endangered terrestrial mammals in South Africa. With an estimation of a few hundred animals being left in the wild, today the species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction. Ideal for couples, families or even a private event, the White Lion Lodge is a travellers dream. An innate understanding of the Karoo bush and a deep love for Africa: these two elements define White Lion Lodge’s story and they’re waiting to welcome you.