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28 November 2023
Nestled in the heart of South Africa, the Great Karoo Grasslands as a vast and enchanting landscape, waiting to be discovered by those seeking adventure off the beaten path. Stretching across three South African provinces: the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Northern Cape, this semi-arid region holds a world of unique beauty and biodiversity—all within the distinctive and fascinating Karoo Grassland Biome.
The Karoo is a haven for biodiversity, unfolding its wonders across two distinctive biomes—the vast Nama-Karoo, covering the majority of the area, and a smaller yet significant Grassland Biome. The Grassland Biome, characterised by the Karoo Escarpment Grassland vegetation types, stands out as a vast and impressive landscape within the Great Karoo’s diverse terrains, forming a subset of the Dry Highveld Grassland Bioregion.
With Montane Karoo grassy shrublands, Karoo grassy dwarf shrublands, succulent dwarf shrublands, and riparian thickets, the Karoo acts as a sanctuary for over 30% of all recognised endemic plant species in the Nama-Karoo Biome.
While the Karoo experiences natural and regular droughts, the delicate grassland ecosystem plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between the animal population and the available vegetation. Seeds, flowers, various grass and shrub species, and an abundance of insects, help sustain the Karoo’s incredible bird-life and native wild animals. From the smallest of mice to the largest of elephants, the Karoo Grasslands are a knee-high haven stretching for as far as the eye can see.
