I’ll admit it – I never expected a festival about succulents to become one of my favourite weekends in the Garden Route’s Klein Karoo region. But that’s what happened the first time I visited the Vetplantfees in Calitzdorp.
On paper, it sounds wonderfully niche: thousands of succulent plants, expert talks, botanical art, guided veld walks and plant enthusiasts gathering from across South Africa. In reality, it’s so much more. You could call it a celebration of one of the world’s most extraordinary natural landscapes, where every strange-looking little succulent tells a story of survival, beauty and biodiversity.
Even if you’ve never owned a succulent in your entire life, the Vetplantfees has a way of drawing you in.
Vetplantfees, more than just a plant festival
The Klein Karoo is one of the richest succulent regions on earth, and Calitzdorp sits right in the middle of it. While the town obviously knows this throughout the year, during the festival, the entire town truly embraces this remarkable natural heritage.
Walking into the festival grounds, you’re greeted by tables overflowing with tiny living sculptures: Lithops that resemble pebbles, sculptural Aloes, colourful Crassulas, rare Euphorbias and countless other species that most people have never even heard of. Including me, before I visited the festival. Many of the plants on sale have been propagated by specialist growers, making it a fantastic opportunity to add unusual specimens to your collection while supporting ethical cultivation rather than wild harvesting.
Another great surprise wasn’t the plants themselves – it was the people. Collectors happily share growing tips with complete strangers. Experts patiently answer every question, no matter how basic. Local growers are genuinely passionate about conservation, and before long you find yourself fascinated by plants you previously walked straight past.
It’s impossible not to get caught up in the enthusiasm.
A chance to experience the succulents where they belong
One of the absolute highlights is joining one of the guided veld walks.
Instead of simply admiring potted plants on display, you head out into the surrounding landscape with knowledgeable guides who point out species growing naturally among the rocky hillsides.
You begin noticing how cleverly these little plants have adapted to survive long dry summers, storing precious water in fleshy leaves while blending almost invisibly into the landscape. Once you start spotting them, you realise the Karoo is alive with miniature wonders that most visitors never notice.
I must admit I came to admire Mother Nature even more!
Not just for serious collectors
And if you’re imagining rows of experts discussing Latin plant names all weekend, you may as well think again.
The Vetplantfees is remarkably welcoming.
There are workshops for beginners, fascinating talks by leading succulent specialists, botanical art exhibitions, beautifully crafted ceramic pots, children’s activities, food stalls and plenty of opportunities to simply wander around soaking up the atmosphere. There’s even a rare plant auction where collectors compete for exceptional specimens, while the Saturday evening dinner brings together enthusiasts from around the country.
Whether you arrive with a shopping list or simply curiosity, you’ll leave having learned something new, that’s for sure!
A festival unlike any other
What makes the Vetplantfees truly unique is that it couldn’t happen anywhere else.
The Klein Karoo isn’t simply a backdrop – it’s the reason the festival exists.
Many of the species on display occur naturally in this region, making Calitzdorp the perfect place to appreciate them. You aren’t just buying plants; you’re discovering an entire ecosystem and the passionate community dedicated to protecting it.
What I like as well, is that there’s also something wonderfully relaxed about the weekend. No loud crowds. No frantic queues.
Instead, conversations unfold over coffee, growers exchange stories with visitors, photographers crouch to capture intricate plant details, and everyone seems to slow down just enough to appreciate the extraordinary beauty hidden in these small, resilient plants.
It’s the kind of festival that leaves you feeling inspired rather than exhausted.
What else is there to do in Calitzdorp?
The charming Klein Karoo town of Calitzdorp in Kannaland is famous as the Port Wine Capital of South Africa, making wine tasting an obvious next stop. Several local estates produce award-winning ports alongside excellent red wines, and the relaxed cellar-door experiences perfectly complement the slower pace of the weekend.
Nature lovers can explore nearby scenic drives (think Huisrivier Pass, along Route 62, the rugged Seweweekspoort pass, and the tranquil Groenfontein Valley Circle Route for starters) and hiking trails in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve and the remote Swartberg mountains.
Photographers will enjoy the dramatic mountain scenery that surrounds the town. If you’re keen to spend more time in the area, take a drive along the famous Route 62, stop in neighbouring Oudtshoorn to visit the Cango Caves, or simply linger in the local cafés and restaurants where Karoo hospitality is always on the menu.
Why I’ll keep going back
Why I will keep going back to the Vetplantfees? Here’s why:
- The Vetplantfees isn’t flashy;
- It doesn’t need headline music acts or amusement rides;
- Its appeal lies in something much rarer: authenticity;
- It’s a weekend where nature, conservation, art and community come together in one of South Africa’s most remarkable landscapes. The Vetplantfees offers an experience that’s refreshingly different;
- And don’t be surprised if you head home with a box full of succulents carefully strapped into the passenger seat. It seems to happen to almost everyone!
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The annual Vetplantfees is hosted by the Calitzdorp Succulent Society at Calitzdorp Station and features free entry, specialist plant sales, guided veld walks, workshops, botanical art, expert presentations and family-friendly activities over an unforgettable spring weekend in the Klein Karoo.
The 2026 Vetplantfees will take place 18, 19 & 20 September. You’ll find it on the Garden Route Event Calendar.
Future dates of the Vetplantfees:
- 17, 18 & 19 September 2027 (10th Annual Vetplantfees)
- 15, 16 & 17 September 2028
- 21, 22 & 23 September 2029
