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Just 10 minutes out of Graaff Reinet is the Camdeboo National Park, and the magnificent views of the Valley of Desolation. This is suitable for a quick drive and short walk, or a whole day, whatever your time allows. There are braai (barbecue) sites, and walks mapped out throughout the park (ranging from 1km to 14km long).
If you drive slowly, there is game to be found and plenty of birds.
Although we did not stay there, tented camps and campsites are available.
Written Jun 3, 2012
Address: N9 out of Graaff Reinet towards Middelburg
Website: http://www.sanparks.org/parks/camdeboo/
Graaff-Reinet is a gem of a town situated in the heart of the Karoo.
Graaff-Reinet is a walkable town that has lots to offer guests
Guided town walks can be arranged - contact Chantelle - info@camdeboocottages.co.za or on +27 (0) 71 670 4747 to book a tour.
Discover a beautifully interwoven tapestry of legends, ancestry, architecture, bloodlines and tradition. Go on a journey through the past with heritage walks, monuments, churches, Karoo architectural explorations and farm histories of our National Heritage Conservation Landscape.
Places worth visiting:
Reinet House Museum
Drostdy Hotel
Dutch Reformed Church
Hester Rupert Art Museum
Pierneef Art Museum
& lots more
Updated Jun 29, 2011
Address: Church Street, Graaff-Reinet
Phone: 0498923180
Website: www.camdeboocottages.co.za
Many museums in this town, and many historical buildings, if you like historical stuff you could spend days here..........
This may not be a very big town but its loaded in history and anyone visiting South Africa with this kind of interest should add this to their tour.
Written Jul 13, 2008
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once you are in Graaff Reniet, the 1st thing you can do it to take a walk around the town and explore one of South Africa's oldest town still in the colonial form.. streets are wide and clean and buildings and shops are still in original 18th century form... its one of the sunniest place and it has got the beautiful lake in fact the town is at one of the edge of lake so sun lover can take some sun bath.. an other thing is its two world renown national parks in very easy drive way from here.. the first one is the Valley of Desolation national park, the peak is less than 10 km from city centre, here one can see the most amazing views of Karoo's clear sky, vast semi desert and magical sunset and there is a short hiking trail as well... and also the view of the city of Graaff Reniet very nicely planned white suburbs and the black township are quite visible from the place called Toposcope.. and the other national park is called Mountain Zebra national park where i didnt go :( and another thing to do or place to go is the a small town called Nieu Betesda.. its less than 50 km from here, also one of the popular place on the historical map of south africa.. i would ad a page for it later..
Written May 2, 2008
This is a large private game reserve, malaria free!Unfortunately the private game parks are very expensive so I have not been here myself, but have heard its good
will include the web site
http://www.samara.co.za/reservations_rates.htm
they also have accommodation.
Written Apr 20, 2008
Phone: +27 (0) 49 891 0880
The farm Dalham is only a few minutes drive out of Graaff-Reinet. Ideally situated as a stopover or to relax for a couple of days for those who enjoy scenery and fresh country air. Farming activities include sheep, angora goats, pigs and cattle.
There are walking trails
10 km north of Graaff-Reinet on N9
They also have self catering accommodation on the farm, not sure of the price
Written Apr 20, 2008
Address: P.O. Box 170, Graaff-Reinet 6280
Phone: (049 ) 891-8103
This is unique place, worth a visit,
Conveniently situated in the middle of Graaff-Reinet, an easy walk to the shops and museums
Handmade soaps
Wrought iron furniture
Goats' milk cheese from Nieu Bethesda
Local olives and olive oil
Enamelware
Chandeliers
Written Apr 20, 2008
Address: 52 Somerset Street
Phone: (082) 336-5983
There are lots of places in surrounding area to do bird watching, Graaff-Reinet also has a bird club and am sure they can give bird lovers more info as they have meetings where they go to spots for bird watching.
At the Valley of Desolation and on the road to it, the following Karoo and mountain species were sighted: Black Eagle, Booted Eagle, Palewinged Starling, Layard’s Titbbabbler and others.
To make contact with the club, call Judy Caryer on (049) 891-0353 or Joan Collett on (049) 891-0840. To join a club outing, bring binoculars and a bird book (if available). The club is an independent body, they welcome tourists
Written Apr 20, 2008
Phone: 049) 891-0353
Perhaps one of the least known aspects of the area is the Stone Age settlements that have been found in the area, esepcially in the south-eastern part of the plains in the reserve. A number of implements have been found and even rock paintings at one small cave site. It si known that in the 1600s the Inqua tribe lived in the area between Aberdeen (75km southwest) to the Agterbruintjieshoogte above Somerset East, and white farmers didn't move in until around 1770.
There are five trails laid out in the park, one at the top of the Valley of Desolation - a 1.5km 45 minute walk along the very summit of the hill, and three in the Eerstefontein area below Spandaukop. An overnight trail is available on the southeastern side of the park.
Written Jun 24, 2006
It is indicative of the advanced state of management of natural heritage assets in South Africa that as well as the unpoiled nature in the park, the authorities have built leisure facilities on the edges of the Park to cater for the more general needs of the local population. On the west side of Graaff-Reinet on the lowest slopes of Cave Mountain, a recreation zone has been laid out that allows picnics, walking, running and a short drive along the lower slopes. The area is open for dog-walkers, and many of the plants and trees have been labelled for identification; if only other countries were so inclusive when laying out national parks. On Nqweba Dam - the former Van Rynevelds Pass Dam - boating and swimming facilities have been provided, and again braai and picnic facilities make the nature very accessible. The 14,500 hectare National Park is small but it has great variety; it is our great fortune that the South African nature Foundation responded in the late 1970s to a call to preserve the habitats of the Karoo, and in 1979 the area was handed over to the Western Cape provincial authorities. By 2005, some 70,000 visitors were arriving each year to enjoy the park.
The Beaufort series rocks of sandstone, siltstone and mudstone are certainly not unique in this part of South Africa, but the volcanic dolerite intrusions have created a unique landscape in the Valley of Desolation where the huge pillars rise up above the surrounding hillslopes. On the lowest slopes, the vegetation is Dwarf Shrublands, although heavily degraded in the main - from overgrazing in the past - with sub-tropical Succulent Thicket and Shrublands on the upper slopes. Some 336 plant species have been discovered in the park, with 71 flowering plants. Up on the highest, rocky slopes klipspringer are present, but rarely seen, and a total of 225 bird species have been recorded although we saw - over two days - surprisingly few bird species...less than 50.
Written Jun 24, 2006
2 Reviews and 14 Opinions The town is a gem, the Drostdy is a boil on its rear - Never Again!!! - I use to frequent this hotel...
8 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Graaff-Reinet attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Graaff-Reinet sightseeing.
It is indicative of the advanced state of management of natural heritage assets in South Africa that as well as the unpoiled nature in the park, the authorities...
2 members live in Graaff-Reinet
Q: Is it still open? we were there in 2003 and plan to be back this coming August. Thanks jdekoe@accesswave.ca
A: It doesn't look as if any of the regulars on this page knows. I tried to google lemon tree restaurant but only found a B&B in PE with that name.
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Graaff-Reinet - anything but desolation
Graaff-Reinet, is one of the great Karoo towns in the South African heartlands, sitting in an area known as the Camdeboo. This town, bigger than many Karoo dorps, is the epitome of old, faded frontier...
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Graaff Reinet is situated in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, inSpandau.jpg (13475 bytes) the middle of the Karoo. Cradled in the crook of the Sundays River, to the approaching traveler,...
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Graaff-Reinet - Karoo South Africa Graaf-Reinet a small Karoo town in South Africa is today a tourist destination because of its history. Graaff-Reinet has much of its history preserved in its...
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i call it hidden jewel becuz its not on the main route (joburg-cape town-durbun), its in the middle of the semi desert called 'karoo' the town is still standing in its orginal form as it was made more...
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Graaff reinet is a small town laying in the Karoo National Reserve. This Parca can be visited to see the different animals living in the parc.
Build your own Graaff-Reinet page
