The village of Prince Albert (named after Queen Victoria's beau) below South Africa's stupendous Swartberg Pass is a 'must-see' of the western Cape for followers of the South African story. This is big sky country, with quirky spots to eat, a plethora of really good guesthouses, a fabulous café (the Lazy Lizzard), and an excellent museum depicting a few momentous moments in the country's history.

The Swartberg Pass. Oudtshoorn and its iconic ostriches of the little Karoo are behind me (south), with the Garden Route and the Atlantic ocean a 90 minute drive south of that. Prince Albert village, 'gateway' to the Great Karoo, is ahead (north), far below, through these distinctive Cape fold mountains. And maybe South Africa's most magnificent pass. Ask us to include this drive on your South African itinerary.

Road-tripping thru central South Africa. Karoo summer thunderstorm skies