Ten reasons why you should explore the Karoo in 2017

Sprawling for over 400,000 square kilometres, the Karoo is a semi-desert natural region of South Africa, just a little bit bigger than the country of Germany. If you're looking for peace and quiet away from the busy city, then the Karoo should be right at the top of our travel wish list. Become immersed in a place of immense spaces, wide-angle horizons, craggy mountain ranges and starry skies. If you're sorting out your travel plans, here are 10 reasons why you should explore the Karoo in 2017:

By Jarred Manasse

16 Jan 2017

There are worse places to spend a week.

A photo posted by Lucia Siobhan Niland (@lucianiland) on Jan 2, 2017 at 8:10am PST

⚡️R O A D R U N N E R ⚡️ Such a powerful and intimidating creature. • • • #ostrich #bigbird #flightlessbird #thechase #roadrunner #game #gamedrive #4x4 #offroad #karoo #karoonationalpark #southafrica #safari #explore #adventure #rsa_nature #rsa_rural #wanderlust #adventurer #wildlife #birdwatching #twitcher #bird #nature #naturephotography

A photo posted by Kirsteen Bell (@kirsteenjbell) on Jan 8, 2017 at 11:33pm PST

Karoo National Park #beautiful #onroute #Langebaan #holiday

A photo posted by Bronwyn Dreyer (@bon_dee_girl) on Dec 11, 2016 at 3:18am PST

Blick in die Ferne! #future #Zukunft #klipspringer #karoo #Mountains #Hiking #karoonationalpark #wanderlust #wandern #gamedrive #southafrica #südafrika #safari #honeymoon #flitterwochen #beaufortwes #spring #überblick #instaphoto

A photo posted by Sarah Rummel (@sarahsch1712) on Oct 8, 2016 at 11:56am PDT

This is one of my best ones from the Karoo. #astrophotography #nikond7200 #themilkyway #thenightsky #stars #longexposure #nightlife #theKaroo #thekaroonatnalpark

A photo posted by Nicholas Spilsbury (@nicholas_spilsbury) on Aug 18, 2016 at 12:40am PDT

Wide Eyes // National Park // Western Cape What the Karoo is known for, skies and wide eyes. The mountainous cliffs are Home to black Eagles, and make up only 5% of the Karoo, the rest ... is flat @sanparks #ig_skies #karoonationalpark #treksouthafrica

A photo posted by Trek South Africa (@treksouthafrica) on Aug 24, 2016 at 5:18am PDT

#zebra #stripes #black #white #blackwhite #pattern #nature_perfection #thisissouthafrica #meetsouthafrica #southafrica #picoftheday #naturephotography #igphoto #igsouthafrica #menseselense #hotshotswp #naturescape #travel #igsouthafrica #foreversouthafrica #southafricaletsme #naturehappy #instalove #artvisuals #folkgood #visualcollective #africanart #karoo #foreversouthafrica @southafricaza @san_parks

A photo posted by Elzaan le Roux (@leroux_photography) on Jul 21, 2016 at 10:20am PDT

�� Karoo National Park - South Africa. �� @i.m.t.o.33 captured this combination of fading light and clouds in the Karoo, one of South Africa's iconic National Parks, home to abundant wildlife.

A photo posted by The Travel Hub (@the_travel_hub) on Jun 25, 2016 at 7:12am PDT

Spring and summer are time for babies. I haven't seen so many babies in the Karoo for a long time. These little ostrich chicks are just the cutest. #ostrich #babies #igcutest_animals #allmightybirds #algoacountry #birdwatching #bestbirdshots #karoo #karoonationalpark #loves_southafrica #loves_africa #animalpolis

A photo posted by showing the world's beauty (@shane109rorke) on Jan 18, 2016 at 9:19am PST

Hello!

A photo posted by Erik Brits (@erikbrits) on Jan 19, 2016 at 12:37pm PST

About Jarred Manasse

Manasse is the owner of Write For You, offering freelance copywriting services in Cape Town. He is also the content manager for Encounters Travel, a UK-based travel agency who offers adventure tours and small group holidays all over the globe.