Page 20 - Interface August Issue 2026

Wanderlust: AfriCamps

Karoo Calm

By Nicky McArthur, courtesy of Muse Magazine, www.musemagazine.co.za

here is a stretch of the N1 that Myth and mountain
feels like driving through a The Hex River Valley is steeped in more
Tliving painting. As you climb than just agriculture; it is a place of
the Hex River Pass, the lush, green myth and mystery. While the name
vineyards of De Doorns – which originally stems from the crisscrossing
famously produce over half of our Exe (X) of river trails and ox-wagons,
country’s table grape exports – local legend tells a different story. Since
begin to give way to the rugged, 1768, tales of the Heks (witch) of the
sun-kissed majesty of the Great Matroosberg have haunted the peaks.
Karoo. It is said she wanders the mountains
under a full moon, searching for a long-
The Huguenot tunnel runs through lost love.
the mountain range as part of the
unique landscape, stretching 3.9 Whether you believe the folklore or
kilometres and cutting through the not, the landscape is undeniably
Du Toitskloof Mountains between spellbinding as the sun sets over the
Paarl and Worcester. As you Matroosberg – the region’s highest peak
transition from the awe-inspiring – casting long, dramatic shadows over
landscape outside, it is here, tucked the fynbos. This magical time is ideal for
away on the Karoo 1 Farm Estate, wine on the verandah and watching the
that AfriCamps at Karoo 1 invites Karoo stars from the hot tub, which we
you to experience glamping that is patiently loaded up with wood all day
as wild as it is comfortable. until it was suitably hot.

INTERFACEDigimag | AUGUST 2026 | 18