Graaff-Reinet

Graaff-Reinet was established in 1786 and is the 4th oldest town in South Africa and the oldest town in the Eastern Cape Province. It was established to bring law & order, religion and education to the many Dutch farmers on the Eastern Frontier. It was named after the then Dutch East Indian Company Governor of the Cape, Cornelius Jacob van der Graaff, and his wife Cornelia, whose maiden name was Reinet. The town is renowned for its architectural heritage and at 220 sites, has more national monuments than any other town in South Africa. It was once one of the largest centres in the Cape Colony, as it was on the direct route to the minefields of the interior. Today it still functions as an important farming centre with the raising of Merino sheep, Angora goats, ostriches and game being the main activities in this area of the eastern Great Karoo. It is also well known for the nearby Valley of Desolation, which today forms part of the newly established Camdeboo National Park of about 15,000 ha.

• From Bloemfontein, take the N9 at Colesberg through Middelburg. You may want to visit Nieu-Bethesda which is 25 km off the N9 on the way.
• From Port Elizabeth take the R75 for 260 km past Uitenhage, Wolvefontein and Jansenville
• From George take the N9 for 340 km past Uniondale, Willowmore and Aberdeen
• From Beaufort West take the R61 to Aberdeen and turn left onto the N9. Distance 210 km.

Graaff is small enough to get around the centre on foot. You can arrange tours to the Valley of Desolation using one of the agencies near the church.

The old town centre architecture is well-preserved and you can actually feel the Karoo-atmosphere there.

• Graaff - Reinet

  phone: +27 49 892-4248
  Graaff-Reinet is the oldest town in this area, known as the ‘Athens’ of the Eastern Cape, and is recognized as the home of magnificent examples of Karoo architecture and over 220 heritage sites, more than any other town in South Africa. Another unique characteristic of the town to look out for is one of the largest grape vines in the world, which was planted in 1870. The town lies on the banks of the Sundays River and is surrounded by the Camdeboo National Park.

• Dutch Reformed Church

  phone: +27 49 892-4248
  Designed to resemble the neo-gothic lines of England’s Salisbury Cathedral, this is considered to be the finest church of its kind in the country.

• Hester Rupert Art Museum

  phone: +27 49 892-4248
  A former activity centre, school and mission church, this building was once saved from demolition by the Rembrandt Corporation and was named after the mother of Anton Rupert, who was the head of the corporation at that time.

• Hugenot National Heritage Site

  phone: +27 49 892-4248
  This National Heritage Site marks the arrival of the French Huguenots of South Africa, who form an indelible part of history.

• Jan Rupert Centre

  phone: +27 49 892-4248
  The centre, which started out as a mission church, now houses the Pierneef Art collection.

• Nqweba Dam

  phone: +27 49 892-4248
  The Nqweba Dam forms part of the Camdeboo National Park and is famed for being the home of a rich variety of birdlife and offers sunset boat cruises.

• Old Jail

  phone: +27 49 892-4248
  The jail, situated on the banks of the Sundays River was built in 1861. One of its many inmates was Anna Rabie, the last South African woman who was publicly executed.

• Old Library Museum

  phone: +27 49 892-4248
  Visit the museum and allow yourself to get lost in the costume collections, reproductions of San artwork and art exhibits including the Robert Sobukwe photographic exhibition and fossil collections.

• Pyramid

  phone: +27 49 892-4248
  The Pyramid, situated on Magazine Hill, pays tribute to the forming of the Union of South Africa in 1910.

• St James Church

  phone: +27 49 892-4248
  This beautiful building, erected in 1850, is the oldest original church still in use in the town.

• Valley of Desolation

  phone: +27 49 892-4248
  The geological phenomenon of the Valley of Desolation, declared a National Heritage Site, lies within the Camdeboo National Park. The Valley was formed millions of years ago by weathering erosion, creating a type of oasis in the midst of the aridness of the Karoo. The diversity of the fauna and flora is incredible and attracts over 220 species of bird, is home to 336 plants and 43 types of mammal.

• War Memorial

  phone: +27 49 892-4248
  The War Memorial, erected in 1918, features a great bronze angel that stands guard over the names of the men from Graaff-Reinet that died during World War I.

• Walk around to explore the town centre. Go into one of the restaurants to get a feeling for the old furniture and the way the people must have lived once upon a time.

• Visit the Valley of Desolation

  phone: +27 49 892-3453
  The Valley of Desolation is found at the top of Camdeboo National Park, where breathtaking cliffs and columns of rock make a haven for dozens of kinds of birds. There is a steep, curving drive to the top of the mountain, with an incredible view of the area. The dry Karoo air means the view is not the least bit hazy. Best go at sundown as the shadows stretch out over the landscape. There is a 45-min hiking trail at the top, and other, longer trails within the park.
• Reinet House Museum - the most visited museum in the East Cape
• Hester Rupert Art museum - contemporary South African Art
• Pierneef Art Museum
• The Old Residensie Museum - firearm and war museum
• Urquart House Museum.

Most shops are located in Church and Caledon Streets around the Dutch Reformed Church which is in the center of town. On the corner of Parsonage and Church Streets are two little shops called Out of Africa and African Adventure which are both jam-packed with all kinds of curios. McNaughton's Bookshop near to Absa Bank in Church Street has a wide selection of tourist maps, guide books and general information about the area. They also carry a large range of new books with some Africana.

• Gordon's Restaurant

  phone: +27 49 892-4575
  address: 100 Cradock St
• The Coldstream Restaurant on the eastern side of the church in the centre of the town
• The Coral Tree in Somerset Street one block west of Church Street.
• The Wimpy near to Spar in Caledon Street serves a great breakfast.

• Get someone to sign you in at the Graaff-Reinet Club next to the Coldstream Restaurant. It is the oldest watering hole in the town and filled with all kinds of interesting collections like historical weapons, caricatures of previous members and even has bullet holes in the bar counter dating from the Anglo-Boer War. Ask for Terrance Gush (usually behind the bar) to tell you all about it.
• Agave Silver or Gold - produced in the district in the only distillery outside Mexico to produce alcohol from the agave plant
• Withond (White Dog) - a local variation of Witblits (White Lightning) or Moonshine produced by special license on the premises of Reinet House Museum
• Karoo Cabernet - (Brandy & Coke) the closest thing locals know to red wine

• Pioneers Restaurant

  phone: +27 49 892-6059
  address: 3 Parsonage St
  A la carte menu, cosy pub, beergarden. Excellent food, plenty of it, old favourites and some interesting surprises on the menu, and friendly and efficient service. Pioneers offers great value for money.

• Camdeboo Cottages

  phone: +27 49 892-3180
  address: 16 Parliament St
  Camdeboo Cottages offers B&B & Self-catering accommodation in the heart of historical Graaff-Reinet. Consists of nine self-catering cottages (all national monuments).

• Karoopark Guest House - 3 star graded

  phone: +27 49 892-2557
  address: 81 Caledon St
  Karoopark Guest House is located in the main street of Graaff-Reinet. It has an à la carte restaurant and pub, a swimming pool and secure parking. The Guest House is within walking distance of shops, banks and historical places of interest.

• Andries Stockenstrom Guesthouse

  phone: +27 49 892-4575
  address: 100 Cradock St
  4-star guest house, with Gordon Wright's unbelievable food a highlight.

• Buitenverwagten B&B & Health Hydro

  phone: +27 49 892-4504
  address: 58 Bourke St
  A 4-star guest house with beautiful gardens close to the centre of town.

• Cypress Cottages

  phone: +27 83 456-1795
  address: 76 Donkin St
  A 4-star guest house in quiet tree-lined street away from the hustle and bustle of town centre.

• De Erf Manor House

  phone: +27 49 893-0313
  A 4-star B&B/guesthouse situated on a small farm, offers luxury en suite double bedrooms with private entrances. The most memorable activity at De Erf (est 1806) is consuming fine food (including a wonderful breakfast), which is served in the Blacksmith's Shop.

• Le Jardin Backpacking

• Samara Private Game Reserve

  phone: +27 49 891-0558
  A 5-star experience on 28 000 ha. A unique Great Karoo experience with wonderful staff to pamper you and see to your every need.

• No 4. Rothman Street

  phone: +27 83 560-7367
  This bed and breakfast offers 3 units with either 2 or 3 bedrooms, each with en suite bathrooms. Each unit has a kitchenette, lounge and dining area, braai area and access to the swimming pool. Both units are air conditioned and each bed room has two large beds.

• Obesa Lodge

  phone: +27 49 892-3143
  address: 64 Murray St
  Self-catering or B&B, beautiful succulent and cacti gardens.

• Villa Reinet Guest House

  phone: +27 49 892-5525
  address: 83 Somerset St
  Villa Reinet has eight rooms for double accommodation. All rooms have air conditioning, comfortable beds dressed with percale cotton linen. All are en-suite with complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Serviced daily.

• Tannie Peggie's Guest House

  phone: +27 49 840-0050
  address: 88 Caledon St
  Self-catering, sleeps 6 persons in three separate rooms, one room en suite with the other two sharing a separate bathroom. You, as individual or family, gets the entire house to yourself for the duration of your stay.

• The Camdeboo National Park and Valley of Desolation, 14km outside town offers hiking, wildlife (a wide variety of Antelope, Mountain Zebra, Buffalo) and great birdwatching near the dam.
• Visit Karoo Connections at 7 Church Street for a range of 1/2 and full day tour options including an interesting Township Tour, a Historical Town Tour and the Valley of Desolation Tour which is a must.Their contact telephone number is 049-8923978
• Go paragliding or microlight aircraft flying.
• Visit the Mountain Zebra National Park that is not too far away.
• Visit Nieu-Bethesda (53 km from Graaff-Reinet) with the Owl House, Fossil Interpretation Centre, Craft and coffee shops, art centres, Ganora excursions.
• The Agave Distillery
• A historic Karoo Farm
• Kalkop Meteorite Crater