Plan your trip
GETTING THERE
From Cape Town, take the N1 past Matjiesfontein and Laingsburg, then turn right at Prince Albert Road on to the R407. From there, it’s an easy 43km drive. Allow about 4½ hours.
NEED TO KNOW
The folk at Prince Albert Tourism are super helpful. Give them a call or pop in. 42 Church Street. 023-541-1366, princealbert.org.za
STAY HERE
The French Cottage is meticulously decorated, has a verandah with comfortable couches, a superbly equipped kitchen, fourposter bed and a romantic atmosphere. R990 a night (sleeps two). 19 Deurdrift Street. 082-342-9852. Find it on Facebook. Prince Albert Country Stay has a choice of rooms, all charmingly furnished. Honeymooners, opt for Lady Chatterley’s Chamber. My favourite is the Library, with its antique double bed and book-lined wall. From R520 pp sharing B&B. 46 Church Street. princealbertcountrystay.com Olienhof is an olive farm with three selfcatering cottages with private braai areas and a neat campsite with electricity and ablutions. Cottages from R280 pp sharing, camping from R80 pp. 023-541-1687
DO THIS
Visit the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary, a haven for abandoned, neglected and abused donkeys and horses. Visits are carefully controlled – Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday at 11am or 3pm. From R100 pp. Call 082-900-6103 to book. Two kilometres out of town on Christina de Witt Street. karoodonkeysanctuary.org.za Hire a mountain bike (or even an e-bike, if you like) from Arno Botha at Prince Albert Cycles. From R250 per day. 32 Church Street. 083-395-9038 Drive Swartberg Pass. Unfortunately it was closed due to flooding when I visited and the municipality says it will be some months before it’s reopened. But if it’s open, it’s a must! Call 023-541-1320 for updates. Browse the gifts at Lah-di-dah (a fancy farmstall, in colloquial parlance). It sells locally produced preserves, olives, soaps, jams and all manner of other things to eat, wear or carry. 1 Church Street. 023-541-1846 Hunt for curios at Lazy Lizard. Hard to categorise but loads of fun; you can eat (quite well, in fact), have something printed, buy curios or enjoy an excellent coffee. 9 Church Street. 023-541-1379 Visit Gay’s Guernsey Dairy and Deli. Products are made from raw, full-cream milk produced by ‘happy’ Guernsey cows, and the cheeses are especially delicious. You’ll also find great lamb, goat, venison, pork and beef. 4 Church Street. 023-541-1274, gaysguernseydairy.com
EAT HERE
The Sanctuary makes an excellent farm breakfast (R60) but for R5 more order the rösti breakfast and skip lunch altogether. 4 De Beer Street. 023-5411-114 Camilla’s Kitchen does set evening meals that showcase the best local produce. Booking essential. 34 Church Street. 079-904-2995 Simply Saffron’s ‘owners and therapists’ Ridwaan Lockhart and Hermon Coleman seduce visitors with good food, healing massages and ‘saffron yoga’. Dinner on Friday and Saturday only. Booking essential. 10 Church Street. 023-541-1040 The Real Food Company is a ‘Karoo tapas’ and wine bar. Small-plate dinners from Wednesday to Saturday, lunch on Saturday only. 54 Church Street. 023-541-1112