Graaff Reinet

Graaff-Reinet, the fourth oldest village in South Africa, is located in the heart of the Karoo surrounded by the Camdeboo National Park. It is here where the vastness and silence get a mysterious appearance. Where the clear night sky reveals its stars and the dark earth hides its fossils for years. It is the land of Karoo Bossies, ostrich and sheep farms where the Dutch Voortrekkers from the Cape Colony settled. And where the Sundays River flows down from Sneeberg Mountain and ended their search for fertile soil.

The time in Graaff-Reinet seems to have stood still. You will find many examples of Cape Dutch architecture and more heritage than anywhere else in South Africa. Everything very well preserved or carefully restored. You can visit the Reinet House, Urquhart House, the Oude Drostdy and the old Residency, as well as the Dutch Reformed Great Church. You can find out more about the history of this village in the various museums.

Visit the Camdeboo National Park of almost 20,000 hectares with the breathtaking Valley of Desolation where cliffs and rock formations up to 120 meters high yield beautiful pictures. In this park you can also spot wildlife and lots of birds. It is also the place for wonderful nature walks or visit the place with a well-stocked picnic basket and lunch at one of the picnic areas.

When you visit a restaurant in this region, we definitely recommend trying the local Karoo Lamb.

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