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Town in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Photo: Leo za1, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Graaff-Reinet is a town of 36,000 people (2011) in the Karoo Heartland. A touch of history wafts around the old houses, the small church and the busy main street of Graaff-Reinet. As one of the oldest cities in South Africa, it is littered with listed buildings from the Wilhelminian era, and has its own flair. The nearby Valley of Desolation attracts thousands of visitors annually with its desert atmosphere.
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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.
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.
This National Heritage Site marks the arrival of the French Huguenots of South Africa, who form an indelible part of history.
The centre, which started out as a mission church, now houses the Pierneef Art collection.
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.
The jail was built on the banks of the Sundays River in 1861. One of its many inmates was Anna Rabie, the last South African woman who was publicly executed.
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.
The Pyramid, situated on Magazine Hill, pays tribute to the forming of the Union of South Africa in 1910.
This beautiful building, erected in 1850, is the oldest original church still in use in the town.
The geological phenomenon of the Valley of Desolation, declared a National Heritage Site, lies within the Camdeboo National Park.
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.
email - info@camdeboocottages.co.za
Camdeboo Cottages offers B&B and self-catering accommodation in the heart of historical Graaff-Reinet. Consists of nine self-catering cottages (all national monuments).
email - info@karoopark.co.za
Karoopark Guest House is 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.
4-star guest house, with Gordon Wright's unbelievable food a highlight.
A 4-star guest house with beautiful gardens close to the centre of town.
A 4-star guest house in quiet tree-lined street away from the hustle and bustle of town centre.
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.
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.
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.
Self-catering or B&B, beautiful succulent and cacti gardens.
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.
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.
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.
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