“At first encounter, the Karoo may seem arid, desolate and unforgiving. But to those who know it, it is a land of secret beauty and infinite variety”
Eve Palmer – South African writer and botanist
These plants are frost hardy and allow for perfect cover throughout the cold winters for the wide selection of animals found at Tiger Canyon.
In this section of the Free State, along the mighty Orange River, the landscape is filled with deep ravines, treed gully’s, rocky outcrops and a balance between open grassland plains for prey species to breed and feed away from the tigers. Over two decades the tigers have adapted to Karoo conditions effortlessly.
It is the first historical settlement North of the Orange River. Established in 1823, Philippolis is the oldest town in the Free State province. There is notable influence from early European settlers. This town was a missionary outpost named after Dr. John Philip the superintendent of the London Missionary Society.
Philippolis is famous as the birthplace of Sir Laurens van der Post who was born in the town in 1906. An author and political advisor, Sir Laurens is famous for his close friendship with Prince Charles. He was also the godfather of Prince William.