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Place in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Photo: South African Tourism from South Africa, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Nieu-Bethesda is a small Karoo village in the Eastern Cape, most well-known for the Owl House, and its artistic community.
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Sam will take you on his donkey cart through town and will tell you all you need to know about the village. In Jan 2009, 15-20 minute tours of the village were R30 for an adult, R10 for a child, or you can tour the township as well for double the rate.
Guided tours are offered to San and Khoi shelters found on Ganora farm, where rock art dating back to 10 000 years ago can be viewed. The farm’s private museum also houses a collection of Bushman artifacts and fossils, while guided fossil walks are available if bookings are made in advance.
The Kitching Fossil Exploration Centre showcases the rich fossil deposits found at Nieu-Bethesda and in South Africa in general. The centre was established as part of a collaborative programme between the Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, the Albany Museum in Grahamstown and the Department of Science and Technology to set up palaeotourism and provide employment opportunities.
A community effort to preserve the life work of Helen Martins, a home-bred artist who turned her house into an exhibit, until her suicide in 1976. Using raw materials, like concrete and glass, she and a Bushman artist sculpted the Owl House and its garden.
Archive of photos, letters and documents paying tribute to Helen Martins
Working gas chandeliers predate the arrival of electricity
Graves dating back centuries, some marked by beautiful local stone. A place to spend some quiet time
Art, music, dance, theatre ... visit the gallery, see a class in progress, take part in a workshop, or catch a performance at the magical open-air theatre.
Visit the creche in the township.
Enjoy homebrewed ale, fresh goat’s cheese and homemade bread under the trees at our micro brewery and deli. You can also meet the goats who provide the cheese, a couple of cows, ducks and a peacock or two. Take a tour in the brewery and cheese factory.
Traditional food served with township style. Book in advance, and Antie Evelyn will prepare a set 3-course meal for you, including "moerkoffie", which, translated politely, is very strong coffee! "Vegetarian" options include fish bobotie. It was superb, but let her know in advance if you don't eat fish. Evelyn will come and chat with you, making this an enjoyable way to meet the local community.
enjoy spectacular curries, Karoo lamb, and vegetarian meals
Visit the local brewery & deli to enjoy Bethesda beer and goat cheese.
Gourmet Karoo dining. Reservations recommended.
Better cake and coffee
Oldest restaurant in town, Breakfast, lunch and dinner
local lamb and venison
Joing the locals for a sundowner or catch a game of rugby
This cottage is a self-catering garden cottage with twin beds, suitable for two guests. It also features a kitchenette and en suite bathrooms, as well as a braai area.
Quirky self-catering unit with an interesting history
Sunshine pours into this house with great views of the Compassberg
en-suite double rooms, each with private entrance and stoep
Quiet, beautifully decorated guest house with lovely views. pet friendly
Comfortable old Karoo cottage
Newly renovated old Karoo house
Choose between a cozy cottage with rustic charm that sleeps 6 has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen and lounge or Double en suite bedrooms also in old sheep pens that has been changed into very comfortable rooms. Various activities available, mountain biking trails, birding, guided tours to Bushmen Rock Art, private fossil & artifact museum, fossil walk and you can enjoy a swim in the rockpools at the canyon walk. Transport can be arranged.
Dorm beds, doubles, singles and camping are available in this bright, clean home, previously a Buddhist meditation centre.
Bright, cheerful self-catering house in a walled, Zen-inspired garden
View works by acclaimed SA artist, Charmaine Haines
for rare and collectible books and damn fine reads
Honesty shop on the stoep. Natural bodycare products and honey
handmade clothing, crafts and other interesting things
Gifts, jams and pickles, local Karoo lamb and venisondirect from the farm
From the north, take the N9. Turn west on the marked gravel road, 60 km south of Middelburg, and keep going for 27 km.
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