Klein Karoo in - George Herald

Klein Karoo in
Various stunning dams and rivers in the valley lures water sport enthusiasts from
all over the world.
Go fly a kite or hitch a ride in a micro light.
Verskeie 4x4-roetes wissel van baie uitdagend tot ‘n rustige Sondaguitstappie.
Mountain biking is very popular and several major
races take place in the Klein Karoo every year.
Various stunning dams and rivers in the valley lures water sport enthusiasts from all over the world.
Cute kids having fun during Carols by Candlelight next to the CP Nel
museum in Oudtshoorn last year. Come sing along on 15 December.
Photo: Marita Swanepoel
114
kaleidoskoop
And who’s the cheeky chick? Don’t forget to visit an ostrich
show farm or two.
The excellent weather in the Klein Karoo makes it
a golfer’s paradise.

Klein Karoo in
Photos: Hans van der Veen, Grand Street Studios
hans@grandstreetstudios.co.za | +27 (0)44 272 4414
The best way to explore the Klein Karoo. By quad bike!
Toy Ungerer is one of Oudtshoorn’s most
famous master athletes and competes
world wide.
The Klein Karoo boasts thousands of pretty birds...
At Wilgewandel Holiday Farm near Oudtshoorn are seven very
friendly dromedary camels waiting to offer you a ride. Their names
are Joshua, Moses, Vossie, Abraham, Nelson, Thabo and Josef.
Die duisende bergpaadjies is baie gewild en lok talle
natuurliefhebbers. Doer onder lê ‘Die Hel’ oftewel
Gamkaskloof.
Down in one piece! Absailing at the waterfall in Meiringspoort.
115
kaleidoskoop
Hot air ballooning is a must when in Oudtshoorn. So
prepare yourself to get up real early.
Game viewing is offered at many resorts and ranches in the area.
The magical Cango Caves never cease to amaze.

88664-JD-HG11-LO
SALE OF INDIAN CLOTHING, HANDICRAFTS,
GIFTS AND MORE
Embroidered cotton tops, punjabi suits, beautiful blouses and
skirts for the fuller �gure, colourful wrap skirts, stunning silk
dresses, skirts and blouses, scarves, headbands and bags,
sparkly sandals, men’s/unisex Indian cotton shirts and
trousers, crystals and jewellery, bed covers, throws and
wallhangings, singing bowls, meditation CD’s, inspirational
books, incense, essential oils and burners, delicious healthy
and organic foods.
...Christmas Gift Vouchers and Gifts Galore...
Queens Hotel, Baron van Reede St. (opposite SPUR)
OUDTSHOORN
Tel: 044 279 4014 | 083 311 2146
���������������������������������������
Geniet ’n drankie in ons gesellige
�����������������������������������
kroeg of ervaar ons heerlike disse in
die �������������������
Kolonie Restaurant.
����������������������������������������
�����������������������������������
�������������������
Oop elke aand vanaf 18:00 | Baron van Reedestraat �������������������������� (in die Queen’s Hotel)
��������������������������
��������������������������������������������������������
���������������Tel: 044 279 2414 ����������������
��������������������������������������������������������
����������������
88662-JD-HG11-MB
88665-JD-HG11-CL
Jamstreet Farm
Just 5 kms outside Oudtshoorn, on a less
frequently travelled road, the colour red grabs
your attention from a distance, and entices you
to turn off and investigate. Scarecrows made from empty
tins welcome you as you turn through the gate and drive
into Jamstreet Farm. The distinctive red colour emanates
from bright red drums planted with branches which have
also been painted red. A black building standing boldly
alone proves to be MOOOI gallery and gift and coffee
shop - a surreal exhibition venue, a creative oasis in the
desert with a distinctly fresh approach. Transforming a
dairy situated in the middle of nowhere into a trendy
gallery took a great deal of creativity and bravery. MOOOI
is the brainchild of Danie du Plessis and Wim Rheeder.
Jamstreet also offers self-catering accommodation. A
luxury rustic cottage adorned with the most amazing
artworks, aptly named RELAX, is the ideal base when
visiting Oudtshoorn and surrounding areas. Another
surprise on the farm is the first labyrinth in the world built
88663-JD-HG11-CL
116
130 St John Street
������������
T.: 044 279 3268
������������������
������������������������
miss out!
with 6 252 empty wine bottles. And it’s not just a labyrinth
- the floor plan of the San Vitale church in Ravenna, Italy
was used. The farm also has the Jamstreet Amfi - an
open air amphi theatre with seating for 1 200 people. It is
breathtaking with the Swartberg Mountains as a
backdrop. A smaller venue the Jamstreet Plaasteater
caters for smaller shows. It’s so true that the little gems in
this world are often found in the most unlikely places and
MOOOI @ Jamstreet is
indeed such a gem.
When you’re in the
vicinity, don’t miss this
extraordinary place. It’ll
find its way into your
heart!
Tel 082 510 0516
(Text and photo’s:
www.route-62.com)
U ONAFHANKLIKE SPESIALISTE IN
&
red hot art
Is u voertuig uit waarborg of diensplan uit?
Vermy onnodige kostes, kontak ons vir lae pryse vir klein tot groot dienste,
tydbelt dienste, koppelaar en ratkas herstel werke.
�������������������������������
����������������������������������������������������������
����������������������������������������
ENIGE ANDER MOTOR VOERTUIE BV:
OOK WELKOM
T : 044 272 8670
C: 083 282 7950
C: 084 547 7605
volksaudi@webmail.co.za
JACOBSONSTRAAT 015,OUDTSHOORN
( REG OORKANT PENNYPINCHERS )
88666-JD-HG11-RE
88667-JD-HG11-RE

Surval is op ‘n olyfplaas 4 km buite Oudtshoorn op die
Kango grotte-pad en is omring deur asemrowende vistas.
Su Casa Restaurant is die perfekte plek om familie en vriende
te bederf met smaaklike etes.
The Queen's Hotel is nestled in
the heart of Oudtshoorn and is
close to a multitude of restaurants,
curio and coffee shops.
The Queen's Hotel is the third oldest hotel in South Africa and was built
in 1880. The original building was made of stone and had a thatched
roof. Skilfully renovated using only the finest materials, from the marble
in the foyer to the handpicked antique furnishings, The Queen's Hotel
offers colonial style accommodation and service that is reminiscent of a
by-gone era. The 40 stylish en-suite double bedrooms provide individually
remote controlled air-conditioning and television, with DSTV, clock
radio and direct dial telephone. The hotel has Wireless Internet Facilities.
The conference room accommodate 65 people and the sparkling
swimming pool in a secluded, court-yard area, is like a welcoming oasis
during summer-time. The Colony at the Queen's is a fine example of
the latest fine dining trend at hotels. Dishes for the menu were thoughtfully
designed and selected and the extensive wine list, with top South
African products, is a perfect match.
The trendy coffee shop, Cafe Brule is situated at the entrance to the
hotel and offers beautiful meals and cakes during the day. The hotel
boasts a range of curio shops for souvenirs and a unique selection of
gifts, as well as a privately owned beauty salon for those who require
some well-deserved pampering.
Baron van Reede Street | Oudtshoorn | +27 44 272 2101
queens@xsinet.co.za | www.queenshotel.co.za
Anyone for breakfast?
Fit for a
The stately Queens Hotel in the heart of Oudtshoorn is a food, wine and
accommodation connoisseur’s dream.
Surval - ‘n droom bewaarheid
‘n Sjiek boetiekhotel en restaurant
het aan die begin van Augustus sy
elegante deure in Schoemanshoekvallei
oopgemaak.
Surval Boutique Olive Estate is
Deon en Michelle van Wyk se
lewenslange droom bewaarheid.
Beide Deon en Michelle het hul
kinderjare op Oudtshoorn
deurgebring en die Klein-Karoo
en sy mense is deel van hul
wese.
Die egpaar sê hier kon hulle
hul kreatiwiteit en ervarings
uitleef. "Ons permanente
tuiste is in Johannesburg,
maar ons het ons drome en
ervaringe hier kom vestig."
Die naam is versigtig gekies en
die Franse woord ‘Surval’
beteken heel gepas Op die vallei.
117
Die Surval Estate is geleë op ‘n olyfplaas,
4 km buite Oudtshoorn op pad
na die Kango-grotte en bied iets vir
almal. Met verskeie funksies en
troues in gedagte, is areas geskep
wat gaste opsies gee vir verskillende
geleenthede.
Die lapa met ‘n lieflike swembad,
bied ‘n informele onthaalarea waar
gaste by ‘n groot braaiput onder die
sterrehemel kuier, of die uitsig kan
geniet gedurende die dag.
El Vestibulo saal is beskikbaar vir
kongresse, funksies en troues met ‘n
kapasiteit van ongeveer 150 gaste.
Surval Village het 16 luukse gastekamers
en die oorspronklike vertrekke
in die lang stoor is behou, dus is elke
kamer uniek.
Die Su Casa Restaurant is die
perfekte plek om familie en vriende te
bederf met keurige smaaklike etes.
chic living
‘Su Casa’ is Spaans vir ‘jou huis’ en
so is die restaurant met sy kristalkandelare,
ononderbroke uitsig en ‘n
gesellige atmosfeer, geskik vir enige
spesiale- of besigheids geleentheid.
Die wyne is bekostigbaar en ‘n
inloop- wynkelder rond die ondervinding
af. Geniet ontbyt, High Tea of
middagete in die beskutte glas
Willow Conservatory, waar jy deel
word van die natuur. Aandetes word
bedien in die sjarmante sandsteenhuis.
Vars kontreiprodukte word
gebruik om gourmet geregte voor te
sit by kerslig en kristal.
Die Willow Conference Room in die
restaurant is beskikbaar vir intieme
funksies van ongeveer 10 tot 15
gaste en Su Casa het ook ‘n buitelugteater
met ‘n kapasiteit van ongeveer
200 gaste.
Vir navrae: Tel 087 350 1950.
88675-JD-HG11-RE

Klein Karoo
The Klein Karoo Wine Region in the Southern
Cape is the easternmost wine producing region
in the country, stretching along the Cape Route
62 from Montagu in the west to the Langkloof in
the east. North of the Klein Karoo lies the vast
Groot Karoo and to its south, coastal planes
spill into the Indian Ocean. Enclosed by various
mountain ranges, it is known for extreme
variations in soils and climate.
The geo-botanical diversity of the region is
echoed in the broad range of fine wines
produced by local winemakers that readily
explore the often unusually outspoken variation
in cultivar character. While allowing for appealing
blends, some of the coolest wine areas in
The Klein Karoo
� Wilgewandel Holiday Farm-camel rides,
walking trails, animals to feed, donkey cart
rides, and a restaurant. 044 272 0878
� Ostrich Show Farms - Oudtshoorn is the
ostrich capital of the world.
� Cango Ostrich Farm 044 272 4623
� Chandelier Ostrich Show Farm
072 742 4405
� Swartberg Nature Reserve, which
includes the remote Gamkaskloof, or "The
Hell" and the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve
- a succulent botanist's dream destination
in the Red Mountain Range.
www.capenature.co.za
� Take a township tour through Bongolethu
(Oudtshoorn) - 072 321 7947
thando@tsamail.co.za
� Xhosa Cultural Village Bongolethu -
083 597 5289
� Cango Caves 29km from Oudtshoorn,
lays the spectacular underground wonder
of the Klein Karoo - the Cango Caves.
044 272 7410
� Cango Wildlife Ranch - a place offering
sanctuary to a number of endangered
species such as cheetah and Bengal tiger
- a full-scale conservancy. Today they
instigate a totally new experience in
interactive tourism combined with conservation.
Activities include stroking a
cheetah or diving with crocodiles.
044 272 5593
� Birding - the Klein Karoo, and particularly
the Oudtshoorn area, offers a large variety
of bird-friendly habitats. 072 903 3707
� Meerkatmagic - walk with wild meerkats
and view other shy, secretive wildlife from
the "shy 5". Meerkatmagic is the only wild
meerkat conservation project in the world.
www.meerkatmagic.com
� Buffelsdrift Game Lodge - a sprawling
game with pristine bushveld, lush vegetation
and a 5 ha dam provides a haven for
20 game species and more than 217 bird
species. 044 272 0106
� Chandelier Game Lodge & Ostrich Show
Farm - enjoy game viewing from an opentop
Landcruiser or take part in a wide
range of other activities including quad
bike trails. 072 742 4405
� 4X4 Routes - The Klein Karoo is
criss-crossed with secondary roads (dirt
or gravel) which provide a large variety
of interesting and scenic drives as well
as the highest concentration of 4x4
routes in the country.
www.4X4ineden.co.za
� Eco Tours & Plant Identification -
044 272 0936
� Ballooning - experience the unique
sensation of hot air ballooning in the
Klein Karoo - enjoy the panoramic
view of Oudtshoorn and the majestic
Swartberg Mountain range. 082 784
8539
South Africa along the majestic Outeniqua,
Langeberge and Swartberg mountains, yield
crispy white and full-bodied red varietals. Importantly,
nurturing a tradition rooted in the early
history of wine in South Africa, the Klein Karoo is
the mainstay of excellent Cape Pot Still
brandies, dessert wines from Muscat varieties
and Port-style wines made from Portuguese
cultivars.
The Klein Karoo Wine Region is one of the most
diverse of South Africa’s wine regions and a
travel destination in its own right. Furthermore,
� Hiking - hike in a world heritage site, walk
through an ecological hotspot where three
plant biomes (succulent karoo, cape thicket
and fynbos) converge.
www.capenature.co.za
� Kango Horse Riding - experience the
unspoiled natural beauty of the Klein
Karoo's wide open spaces on horseback.
072 272 8709
� Quad biking - Try the quad bike trail to the
beatiful, 80 m high Rust-en-Vrede Waterfall;
the fantastic quad biking trips over the
Swartberg Pass, to "The Hell" and a sunset
cruise or quad bike game viewing at Chandelier
Game & Ostrich Farm.
� Star gazing - be blown away by the clear,
starlit Karoo night skies by taking a tour
through the Southern Hemisphere's Celestial
"High Five". Learn more about the most
prominent stars, planets, constellations,
galaxies and clusters. 082 461 8253
� Civair Helicopters, based at the Oudtshoorn
airport, offers scenic flights over the Swartberg,
the Outeniquas as well as personalized
tours. 082 446 3809
� Daily circle route tours of the Oudtshoorn
area - even for one guest. 079 105 4000
� Educational tours of the Southern Cape at
affordable prices. Accommodate all age
groups. Tours include a circle route of
Oudtshoorn. 082 939 1558
� Learn more about biodiversity and the
Succulent Karoo. Choose from a variety of
4x4 or hiking trails. Stay in a bushcamp and
see unbelievable night skies. 044 279 1285
� One day mountain bike tours. Multi day,
customised bike tours. Mountain biking
workshops. Professional race-coaching.
044 272 2901
� Explore the historical, geological and natu-
ral treasures offered by the Swartberg Moun-
tains and the Klein Karoo. 082 461 8253
118
Routes
the Cape Route 62 runs parallel to the Garden
Route and is an alternative route to travel from
Cape Town to Knysna. The different towns in the
Klein Karoo region are ideally situated to accommodate
day visitors from the costal towns.
Therefore 4 different Day Trips highlights the
attraction in each town.
DAY TRIPS:
Day trip 1:
George-Herold-Dysselsdorp-Oudtshoorn-
Mossel Bay
much more
The Klein Karoo is a great place for outdoor activities. Surrounded by mountain ranges and with a rich variety
of bird and plant life, the Klein Karoo reveals its beauty to those who get out and make the effort to explore.
� Adventure centre - activities include absailing,
rock climbing, kayaking, wild-caving,
hiking and quad biking. 044 272 6696
� Cheese Tantinki - 083 340 5821
� la chocolaterie ROCOCO defines the
ultimate in chocolate indulgence.
084 232 5991
� Gamkaskloof - also known as "The Hell", is
a fascinating valley near Prince Albert,
where a small, proud community lived in
isolation for more than 100 years.
023 541 1107 www.diehel.com
� Fossilised Reptile Footprints - See where
prehistoric reptiles roamed when the Karoo
was a great inland sea. Viewing by special
arrangement with Paul Miller.
Tel: 02082 and ask for 1631
CYCLING
� Hire a mountain bike at the National Garage
at the north entrance to Prince Albert
023 5411 797
� Three Passes Tour - Meiringspoort,
Montague Pass and the Swartberg Pass.
Bicycles, safety gear, water bottles and
back-up included. 023 5411 227
� Donkey Trails The Donkey Trail is an
authentic heritage experience that takes
you on an extraordinary hike over the
Swartberg Mountain. 044 213 3990
www.donkeytrail.com
� Prince Albert Koppie Trail On the hill behind
the village (no permit required).
023 5411 366
OLIVES
� Swartrivier Olive Farm 023 541 1917
� Kredouw Olive Farm 023 5411 105
� Prince Albert Tourism 023 5411 366
www.patourism.co.za
Oudtshoorn Info 044 272 0041
Website: www.oudtshoorninfo.com
Oudtshoorn Tourism Bureau 044 279 2532
Website: www.oudtshoorn.com
tourist mecca
Day trip 2:
Oudtshoorn-Prince Albert-Klaarstroom-De
Rust-Dysselsdorp
Day trip 3:
Mossel Bay-Calitzdorp-Ladismith-Van
Wyksdorp-Herbertsdale
Day trip 4:
Montagu-Barrydale-Suurbraak-Swellendam-
Ashton
Information and pics:
www.kleinkaroowines.co.za/daytrip
Oudtshoorn Info - +27 44 272 0041 or
Oudtshoorn Tourism Bureau -+27 44 279 2532.
As long as it’s great, you can expect anything
in De Rust. Photo: Andy White
Town of the year!
De Rust, at the entrance to the beautiful
Meiringspoort, was recently voted the
Kwêla/Rapport Town of 2011/2012 and this
picturesque town and its people does this
title proud. The town has close links with
well known writers such as Prof. Bun
Booyens and Ettienne le Roux while C.J.
Langenhoven, who lived in Oudtshoorn,
was fond of De Rust and when he wrote the
old anthem, the lines "over everlasting
mountains, where echoing crags resound",
he definitely had Meiringspoort in mind.
De Rust is surrounded by a mixed farming
area - ostriches, dairy, sheep, tobacco, fruit
and vegetable seed. A historic wine route
links well known farms with histories dating
back to 1800's. The town is an artist and
photographer paradise and visitors can
explore De Rust by foot, admiring all the
architecturally interesting buildings, browse
around in gift shops and galleries (antiques
to dream about) or enjoy a snack or meal at
the local home-industry or many quaint
restaurants. A variety of hiking trails (mostly
on farms), 4 x 4 trails and farm activities will
put stars into every city dwellers eyes while
the red stone hills of the area will bewitch
you. For more details contact the De Rust
Tourism Bureau at 044 241 2109.