Major city · South Africa
Beaufort West
Stop for fuel, a meal and a night if you are driving the N1 between Cape Town and Johannesburg; the Karoo National Park makes it worth a half-day detour.
Beaufort West is the largest town in the Great Karoo and a historic transport hub on the N1, 460 km from Cape Town and 940 km from Johannesburg. Founded in 1818, it has the country's first town hall and a Dutch Reformed Church from the same era. Most travellers use it as an overnight stop, but the adjacent Karoo National Park justifies a half-day visit for game drives and short walks.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Dec–Feb (very hot), Jul–Aug (cold nights)
- Airport
- GRJ
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Beaufort West112 ▾
- From a mobile112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Beaufort West, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check).South Africa-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper.South Africa-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.South Africa-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.South Africa-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/M/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Africa-wide
- SafetyBeaufort West is generally safe for daytime stops and overnight stays.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 From a mobile (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open daily in cities; small towns close Sunday afternoon.South Africa-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGRJ George Airport (About 3 h 30 min drive; the nearest commercial airport.).
- Getting aroundThe town is compact enough to walk between the church, museum and a few eateries.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeR20–35
- BeerBeer (bottle)R25–40
- Museum or sight ticketKaroo National Park entry (per person per day)R100 (check)
- Budget bedSelf-catering cottage (up to 4), a night, per roomR 1,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomR 900
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomR 1,500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 500 · Mid R 1,000 · High R 2,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GRJ George Airport (About 3 h 30 min drive; the nearest commercial airport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Feb
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jul (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Feb (4 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Beaufort West: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
2 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is compact enough to walk between the church, museum and a few eateries. For the Karoo National Park you need your own vehicle — the entrance is 5 km from town on the R381.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Karoo National Park
goDoor to door: 10 min
Drive 5 km (3.1 mi) from town on the R381Drive 3.1 mi (5 km) from town on the R381
Self-drive game viewing, short hiking trails and a restaurant at the rest camp.
Oudtshoorn
cautionDoor to door: 2 h
Drive the N12, about 180 km (112 mi)Drive the N12, about 112 mi (180 km)
A full-day round trip; better as a stop on a longer route.
Prince Albert
goDoor to door: 1 h
Drive the N12, about 80 km (50 mi)Drive the N12, about 50 mi (80 km)
A small Karoo town with a good restaurant and the Fransie Pienaar Museum.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
N1 roadside
Motels and guesthouses along the highway; convenient for a one-night stop.
Town centre
B&Bs and self-catering cottages near the church and shops.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R500–800 excl. bed
- Mid
- R800–1,500 excl. bed
- High
- R1,500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × R 900 | R 900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R 1,000 | R 2,000 |
| Karoo National Park entry (per person per day)2 × R 100 · check | R 200 |
| Fuel from Cape Town to Beaufort West (one way, approx 460 km)1 × R 800 · check | R 800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R 390 |
| Trip total≈ R 2,145 per person per day, bed included | R 4,290≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in rand; fuel and park entry excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | R20–35 |
| Meal at a roadside restaurant | R80–150 |
| Beer (bottle) | R25–40 |
| Petrol (1 litre) | R22–25 (check) |
| Karoo National Park entry (per person per day) | R100 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer daytime temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C (104 °F); carry water and sunscreen.Summer daytime temperatures regularly exceed 104 °F (40 °C); carry water and sunscreen.
- The N1 can be busy with trucks; fill up in town before heading into the park.
- Karoo National Park has no fuel station inside; fill up in Beaufort West.
- Check the park's gate hours — they vary by season.
Emergency numbers
- From a mobile
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Beaufort WestBeaufort West
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Na hierdie adres, assebliefTo this address, please
Emergency
- From a mobile112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- N1 Cape Town → Beaufort West: about 460 km (286 mi), 4.5–5 h driveabout 286 mi (460 km), 4.5–5 h drive
- N1 Beaufort West → Johannesburg: about 940 km (584 mi), 9–10 h driveabout 584 mi (940 km), 9–10 h drive
- N12 Beaufort West → Oudtshoorn: about 180 km (112 mi), 2 h driveabout 112 mi (180 km), 2 h drive
Say or show
- Hallo — Hello (hah-loh)
- Dankie — Thank you (dahn-kee)
- Hoeveel kos dit? — How much is it? (hoo-feel koss dit)
- Waar is die toilet? — Where is the toilet? (vahr iss dee toy-let)
Afrikaans is widely spoken; English is understood in hotels and restaurants.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Beaufort West. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Dec–Feb (very hot), Jul–Aug (cold nights) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Beaufort West
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