Karoo Photographic Tour

Karoo Photographic Tour - 27 October 2025 - 3 November 2025

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Karoo Photographic Tour - 27 October 2025 - 3 November 2025 ⁎

27th October to 3rd November 2025

Photographic tour of unique parts of the Karoo - South Africa

Tour Details

7 Days - 6 Nights

Modern wooden house on a hillside with stone steps, surrounded by grass and shrubs, with mountains in the background.

Financial Information

Price per person sharing is R25 000.00  (Twenty Five Thousand Rand).

(All rooms are double occupancy for this trip. If you're travelling alone, you will be paired with a suitable other client.)

25% non-refundable booking fee within 7 days of confirmation of booking. 

Balance due 60 days before date of travel

Bookings made within 60 days of travel require full payment within 7 days of confirmation.

Cancellation Fees

 25% non-refundable booking fee which is applicable upon confirmation

100% of booking value if cancelled 30 days prior to arrival

Please note that all cancellations are only effective once confirmed in writing.

All refunds are subject to commission and/or bank charges. Should the deposit/prepayment not be received within the time frame, your booking may be forfeited

INCLUSIONS

  • Meet and Greet at Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport

  • All travel costs as a group

  • All game drives and site access fees including national parks and historic sites

  • All meals and drinks including alcohol

  • All visits to artists and the like

  • Photographic and editing assistance by a photographic fundi

EXCLUSIONS

  • Gratuities for staff, guides and waitrons

  • Additional foods chosen to be had other than that provided

  • Additional drinks and or alcohol over and above what has been catered for

  • Additional transport or personal transport arrangements

  • Visas when needed

  • Airfare from your home to Gqeberha Airport and return flights

Travel Insurance

It’s important to me that you never be at a financial risk, so I'll be suggesting you take out trip cancellation insurance and health insurance for the trip. It’s important that you not wait for just before the trip to get this, as once you provide a non-refundable deposit (which I need because those are the terms of my suppliers), you could be at risk. As such, get travel insurance concurrently with providing any deposits.

 

Note: Mark Thomson and trip associates cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred due to factors beyond my control. These include (but are not limited to): Force majeure, war, the threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, natural and nuclear disasters, fire, epidemics, pandemics, health risks, and changes due to rescheduling or cancellation of flights by an airline or alteration of the airline or aircraft type; closed or congested airports or ports, hurricanes and other or actual severe weather conditions, act of God or any other similar events.

A sign for Alan Tours offering tours and holiday services, with colorful African-themed symbols and a scenic background.

Karoo Photographic Tour

Come along and enjoy a 6 nights, 7 Days Photographic tour of a few amazing Karoo towns in the Eastern Cape.

We will explore a variety of photographic opportunities from Landscapes, railways, old churches, architecture, wild life, Cacti, art forms(glass, painting and sculpturing), portrait opportunities, wild life from a boat on a dam, a visit to a small private air strip, the Valley of Desolation, Fossil museums and so much more.

ImagTree in association with Alan Tours, Port Elizabeth, will guide you and take you on this incredible journey.

You climb onto one of Alan Tours’ Toyota Land Cruisers at the Port Elizabeth international airport, settle in and discover a rustic but beautiful world with us.

Experienced Photographer Kirk West will be a Photo Guru on the trip. He’ll best advise and help you when you need it, should you need it. While you are welcome to bring your laptops along, there will be a couple of large screens for quick reviews directly from your camera in the evenings.

Travelling with folk who have a similar passion for photography and sharing the experience is simply magical.

The journey ends on the 7th day back at the Port Elizabeth airport.

Road sign showing directions and distances to Klipplaat, Aberdeen, and Oatlands in a dry, shrub-filled area under a clear blue sky.
Deserted Karoo Train Lines
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Day 1 and Day 2

We meet and greet at the port Elizabeth Airport. We then leave the hustle and bustle at the airport and turn towards Aberdeen – one of the best preserved little Karoo towns with buildings dating back to the Victorian era. This town grew around the church with the tallest spire in South Africa and is also located in the largest Mohair producing area in the world. It forms part of the Mohair Route. Enroute you will have a dream come true when visiting the Cheetah Breeding Farm for your first photo opportunities. Next up will be Wolwefontein’s old railway station. This is one of the reasons the town exists and although overgrown with grass, Wolwefontein has many GREAT photo opportunities. Our route then takes us to the town of Steyterville( Home of Legendry Springbok Rugby Coach Danie Craven) for lunch. From Steytlerville we travel along the dirt road to Aberdeen via Klipplaat( an old locomotive diesel depot) with plenty of railway photo opportunities along the way.

Peace and Tranquility awaits all at De Denne B and B where we will check in. A hearty breakfast gets you ready for day two. Visiting the church and many other local attractions makes for an exciting day. We’ll visit Glass artist Marguerite Beneke, who is also a keen photographer, as well.  Lunch will be at a great local Deli. After lunch the tour will continue to the many other attractions in the town.  

 Must-Visit Attractions

·      Dutch Reformed Church -  have a look inside at the 20 large panels displaying biblical scenes – they’re artfully made of sheep’s wool, cloth, hessian and glue.

·       Admire the Olive Tree from Garden of Gethsemane, Israel.   It is to be found in the Church garden.

·     Meander through the fascinating Jewish and the Anglo Boer Cemetery.{a guid is required to accompany you}

·       Magistrate Court built in 1889 with hideous gargoyles that intimidated “accused”

·    Visit the old building with interesting architectural styles including Victorian, Georgian, Karoo, German, Gothic Revival, Russian, Art Nouveau and Flemish Revival.

·      There will also be access to homes facing the sunset and some amazing gardens in homes such as Greenfields.

·     This town also offers up great street photography and many interesting locals for portrait opportunities.

Triptych painting of a landscape scene with a windmill on the left, cactus plants in the center, and a fence on the right under a cloudy sky.
Green road signs on a post in a rural landscape, with clear blue sky and green trees and bushes in the background. The signs read 'R 338' and 'Klipplaat 70'.
Exterior of a coffee and craft shop with large white bird sculptures and a colorful windmill decoration on the roof against a clear blue sky.
Storefront window of M Beneke kiln formed art glass gallery with three decorative glass art pieces hanging inside, and circular glass art designs displayed on the wall outside on the left.
Colorful mural on a hillside with mountains in the background and green trees in the foreground. The mural resembles a stylized map of South Africa with different colors representing regions.
A church steeple against a stormy sky with lightning in the distance.
A historic building with a red tile roof, surrounded by a fence and trees, under a blue sky.
Three young cheetahs resting on the dirt ground next to a wooden log, with one lying on its side and the other two curled up.
Sign promoting Wild Cats World and Simba Wildlife Conservation organizations, featuring illustrations of a lion, tiger, cheetah, jaguar, and an animal with long ears, along with the organizations' websites.
Street signs on a rural road, showing Route 338 and Klipplaat 70, with a grassy landscape and blue sky in the background.
Abandoned train tracks with overgrown grass beside a small building and a large, weathered barn in a rural, desert landscape under a clear blue sky.
A historic building with a blue domed roof surrounded by a white picket fence and greenery.
A weathered sign reading 'Wolfenstein' stands in a dry, grassy area with mountains visible in the background.

Karoo Photographic Tour - Detail

Day 3 and Day 4

Day 3 will find travelling to and falling in love with Nieu Bethesda. Along the way we will have the opportunity to drop in at a private airstrip where we will gain the surprise of what might be on the runway or tarmac on the day. Whether your interest lies in art or sculpturing or beer, cheese and salami making, or the uniqueness of the people who will offer up great portrait shoots, you’ll never be at a loss for things to do in Nieu Bethesda. A visit to the late Helen Martin’s “Owl House” and an informative donkey cart ride, which takes you past the writer Athol Fugard’s old home, is a nice way to see the town. Some great unusual buildings, like the tower and the local woman’s craft room are some of the many unusual things to be taken in. After checking in at Paradijs Guest House, meeting new friends and a good nights rest in the quiet and peaceful village, the next day is full of sightseeing, a visit to world famous sculptor Frans Boekkooi and other local artists. Lunch will be at Sneeuberg Brewery and 2 Goats Deli. The Brewery and Deli is essentially a one-man show and the beer and cheese served here are made by the owner. Even the coffee is roasted on site. With a full tummy and free time, explore and experience all including the small dinosaur museum. The evenings will offer good food from local restaurants.

Must-Visit Tourist Attractions

·       Visit the Helen Martin’s Museum

·       Explore the Water Mill and Water Furrows

·       Visit the Kitching Fossil Exploration Centre

·       Explore the Art Route

·       Duck in to a bookshop at Dustcovers

·       Go beer tasting or wine tasting

·       Admire the village church

·       Walk a labyrinth

·       Go stargazing

·       Discover the Stone Folk

·       Find fossils and Bushman painting

Chalkboard menu featuring cheese platter with homemade bread, rosemary, feta, roasted figs, cream cheeses, farm butter, smoked salmon, olive spreader, and cheddar with a sketch of the cheese platter. Decorated with peacock feathers, vintage objects, and a framed photo.
Colorful bedroom with green, yellow, blue, and orange walls and a high ceiling with wooden panels. Features a bed with orange and white bedding, a round table with a floral tablecloth, and green hanging light. There are three heart-shaped mirrors on the wall, a wooden nightstand, and unique tree-like chairs. Natural light filters through large windows decorated with rainbow-colored curtains.
A road sign welcoming travelers to the Owl Route in Eastern Cape Tourism, South Africa. The sign features a mapped outline of a mountainous region and an illustration of an owl in blue.
Wooden door and window sign on a pink wall, indicating 'The Brewery' with surrounding plants outside.
White building with the words 'INFINITY GALLERY' on the facade, wooden shutters on windows, open door entrance, and a small tree to the right, under a clear blue sky.
Sculpture of a slender, elongated figure holding a ball above its head, standing on a green plastic bottle, outside on a sunny day. An owl sculpture is nearby, sitting on a concrete arch.
A man standing next to a makeshift shelter with rocks, in a desert area with mountains in the background. In front, there are small statues, skulls, and potted cacti on the ground.
Cozy living room with wooden bookshelves filled with books, a small window, potted plants, a red sofa with decorative pillows, a black armchair, a wooden coffee table with books and decor, and a stone wall
Rustic interior with wooden tables and chairs, large windows showing outdoor greenery, and a sign on the wall that says 'Barber'.
Scenic view of a green valley with a river, surrounded by rolling hills and a rock formation, along a winding road with a metal guardrail.
Rustic kitchen with old-fashioned refrigerator, wooden shelves, mounted glassware, worktable with papers, and a large milk can on the floor.
A narrow suspension bridge with a wooden walkway, black metal railings, and support cables, crossing over a lush green landscape.
Bronze sculpture of a dog standing on a rectangular base outdoors, with trees, grass, and a fence in the background.
Residential neighborhood with red-tiled roofs, lush green trees, a sports field, and mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.

Day 5 and Day 6

After another great breakfast we travel to explore Graaff Reinet. The vintage restorers, Cactus nursery and another amazing church. Lunch will be at one of the many amazing little restaurants in the town. We’ll take a walk down a quaint street which I call micro Stellenbosch. We’ll book into the1804 Drostdy Hotel. Afterwards, heading to the Camdebo Fossil Museum before returning to enjoy the splendour of the Drostdy Hotel. 

  will see us back at the Kamdeboo Park and on a short 4x4 drive to look for one of the largest Eland hurds and to the bird hide. Any re-visits are also possible at this stage.

 Day 5 will be an early rise to experience a boat ride on the Nqwba Dam which will take us to observing the Camdebo Parks animals drinking from the dam. This might mean breakfast on the run. Those not on the dam will accompany our guide through the park. Here we might need to rotate our guests between the river and park ride for everyone to get a chance to experience this. From here we head to the Valley of Desolation. With an estimated 100 000 people who visit this site each year, the Valley of Desolation is a premier attraction in the region having given up fossil and Eco history. From here there are incredible landscapes unique to the Karoo. Being part of the 14,500 ha Camdebo National Park with the Nqwba dam in it, you will experience a unique  “drive”  with many photo opportunities.Take a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point.

Colorful buildings painted in pink and purple along a sidewalk with green trees and potted plants under a clear blue sky.
A white building with a large tree in front, surrounded by a green lawn, outdoor seating with umbrellas, and a bronze sculpture of a dog on a pedestal.
View of a canyon with tall rocky cliffs and lush green trees, with a mountain in the background under a cloudy sky.
White house with pink shutters and door, tree in front, black street signs, and a clear blue sky.
Art gallery with sculptures and paintings on white walls, hardwood floors, and wooden ceiling with chandelier.
A calm river reflecting green hills under a partly cloudy blue sky.
A calm lake with a sandy and rocky shoreline, overcast sky with some blue patches, and distant mountains in the background.
Shopfront with signs reading 'Mid Century Modern & Retro' and 'Art Deco & Vintage Furniture', cars parked in front, tree shading the scene.
An elderly man sitting in a portable chair on a sandy beach, holding a can of soda, with two boys walking along the shoreline in the background, and water and distant hills visible.
Kamdeboo.
Graaf Rienette
Old rusty steam locomotive on railroad tracks with graffiti on its side, set against a bright blue sky and trees in the background.

Day 7

A slow start and an opportunity to do revisits will eventually take us home from Graaf-Rienette. Stops along the way for last minute photos will be accommodated as far as possible.

Late afternoon of day 7 we will wave each other good by at the Port Elizabeth Airport.

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Photographic Note

A dedicated screen for connecting your camera for reviewing the days shots will be available.

You are also free to bring your own laptop if preferred.

Kirk West, our photographic guru, will be accompanying the tour and will be available to assist and teach any folk needing help or guidance along the way.

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Entrance to Camdeboo National Park with a stop sign and informational signs, thatched-roof buildings, and a gravel road, under a cloudy sky.
A solitary horse standing in a vast green field behind a barbed wire fence, with a cloudy sky overhead.
View of a stained glass window with a blue sky outside, framed by rustic wooden beams inside a building.
Exterior of a rustic restaurant at dusk with string lights, a person standing outside, potted plants, and a wagon wheel.
Colorful mural on a building wall depicting various ice cream cones, grapes, a water droplet, bread, and flowers, with a blue sky in the background.
A desert garden filled with various cacti and succulents in front of a white wall with the sign 'Oude Pastorie'.
A long, straight road extending through a rural desert landscape with mountains in the background and cloudy sky overhead.
Interior of a rustic boutique or shop with shelves stocked with health and beauty products, toiletries, and small gifts. A corrugated metal counter separates the shelves from the seating area with chairs, a wooden chest, and vintage items.
A winding dirt road through a semi-arid landscape with sparse bushes, rolling hills, and a distant mountain under a pinkish sky.
Historic Victorian-style house with a green roof, white exterior, and a porch surrounded by a garden with trees and colorful flowers.