Situated at the Southern border of the Vanderkloof Dam, the town is a real treat for those with a sense of adventure, with abundant opportunities for activities like rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking, fly fishing and hiking.
Photo by Jaco Roselt
Eco Karoo Lodge is situated on our farm, Knoffelfontein, at the foot of majestic mountains to the west and endless great plains to the east.
100% off the grid Eco friendly accomodation & venue.
Just 5 km from the Rolfontein Nature Reserve, Waterfront Boutique Hotel offers accommodation in Vanderkloof, featuring an outdoor swimming pool, a shared lounge, and a garden. Boasting family rooms, this property also offers a braai area for guests.
CasaMere is a 4-star self-catering establishment where our guests can experience elegance at its finest. CasaMere is exceptional, offering breathtaking acacia vegetation views as well as panoramic views of the Vanderkloof Dam and the mountains surrounding it.
Oppiedek Restaurant, we specialise in perfectly cooked steaks and freshly prepared food. We offer a menu that caters to all, accompanied by a beautiful view and a kids’ play area. Relax on the Deck, under the trees or cosy inside the seating area.
Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, sipping on a fresh coffee and enjoying a warm breakfast.
Carved into the rugged heart of the Upper Karoo, Vanderkloof Dam is a remarkable fusion of human ingenuity and natural beauty. Stretching over 100 kilometres at full capacity, this vast expanse of water bears the name of the original farm it rests upon.
South Africa’s second-largest dam, Vanderkloof, stands proudly against a breathtaking semi-desert backdrop. Its concrete crest, spanning 765 metres, slices through the pale blue sky, rising to 108 metres — the tallest dam wall in the country. — a true Karoo masterpiece shaped by both nature and man.
Hidden within the towering 108-metre-high wall of Vanderkloof Dam lies one of only two hydroelectric power stations in South Africa. Operated by Eskom, this remarkable facility harnesses the sheer force of water to generate clean, renewable energy.
Visitors can embark on a guided tour that ventures deep inside this electrifying network. The experience begins with a brief presentation that traces the history and construction of the dam, followed by a fascinating walk through the heart of the hydroelectric plant.
For over four decades, Rolfontein Nature Reserve has been a sanctuary of wild beauty and natural tranquillity. Spanning more than 8,000 hectares, the reserve encircles the town of Vanderkloof, with its main entrance just outside the town.
Picnic and braai areas invite you to pause, relax, and soak in the serenity of the surroundings.
Wildlife roams freely here — from graceful antelope species to a resident family of white rhinos — while more than 100 recorded bird species fill the air with colour and song.
Orania is a small town situated on the banks of the Orange River, where the Afrikaans language and identity are deeply preserved. The town boasts numerous museums, as well as stunning natural landscapes.
Nestled along the tree-lined banks of the Orange River in the tranquil Upper Karoo, the Orania Oewerhotel offers a perfect blend of luxury and genuine farm-style hospitality — the warmth for which Orania is renowned.
Here at Aan-Die-Oewer, visitors are invited to experience the charm of the river, the beauty of the surrounding landscape, and the warm hospitality for which Orania is renowned. Expansive lawns shaded by indigenous trees, such as the karee and thorn-acacia, offer the perfect setting for children to play and adults to relax around a traditional braai, soaking in the peace and natural splendour of the area.
At the Rebel, you will be able to appreciate a creative environment with a historic twist while enjoying our menu’s variety of food and drinks. As well as our magnificent wine collection to choose from.
Visit Orania Oewer Restaurant and experience true Afrikaans style and hospitality.
The Oewer Restaurant, consisting of a deck restaurant, outdoor boma and bar, is located between shady indigenous trees on the banks of the Orange River.
The Hendrik Verwoerd Memorial and Collection is a museum dedicated to the life of Hendrik Verwoerd, a controversial figure known as one of the architects of apartheid.
The “Orania Cultural History Museum” does not appear to be a distinct, formally recognised institution, but rather the concept of Orania itself serves as a cultural history exhibit for the Afrikaner cultural movement and its efforts to preserve their heritage and language, particularly their Afrikaans identity. Visitors can explore the history of the town’s founding by Hendrik Verwoerd’s son-in-law, Carl Boshoff, which was an attempt to establish a privatised Afrikaner state, and its subsequent development into a functioning agricultural community.
The Koeksister Monument in Orania has been erected as a tribute to those women who have baked koeksisters for decades to raise money for churches, schools and old age homes. Orania’s Barefoot Women’s Association constructed this memorial, which was unveiled in September 2003 by Anna Boshoff, the daughter of Dr H.F. Verwoerd.
It is 2 m high and consists of polystyrene covered with glass fibre. Jan-Otto du Plessis of Cape Town was the sculptor.
At the edge of the Great Karoo lies Hopetown. Here, the 23.25 carat diamond “Eureka” and later the 83.5 carat “Star of Africa” were found. These discoveries led to the great South African diamond rush. Today, Hopetown is a farming town.
Wiida Gasteplaas offers comfortably furnished accommodation for up to 18 people and is the ideal stopover between Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.
Karoo Inn is a quirky guesthouse in Hopetown, Northern Cape. Affordable & comfortable overnight accommodation.
Waschbank’s Restaurant is renowned for its Homemade meals.
We pride ourselves on offering scrumptious, traditional and mouth-watering food without hurting one’s wallet.
Rustiq Pub & Grill is a family-owned restaurant in Gariepdam, South Africa, known for its warm hospitality and diverse menu. Signature dishes include ‘skaapstertjies’ (sheep tails), ‘skaapkop’ (sheep head), and ‘pampoenkoekies’ (pumpkin fritters). The menu also features pizzas, burgers, and lamb curry, all prepared with quality ingredients.
The Norvalspont concentration camp was established in November 1900 to relieve the Bloemfontein concentration camp after it experienced a water shortage. This Anglo-Boer War concentration camp was first headed by Lieutenant St John Cole Bowen who later held the office of Resident Magistrate in the Orange River Colony.
The Gariep Dam, at its commission in 1971, was originally named the Hendrik Verwoerd Dam after Hendrik Verwoerd, the Prime Minister before and after 31 May 1961, when the country changed from the Union of South Africa to the Republic of South Africa. However, after the end of apartheid, the Verwoerd name was considered unsuitable. The name was officially changed to Gariep Dam on 4 October 1996.
Photo by Nic Roets at wikitravel.org
The Gariep Dam mountain biking trails offer ~150km of routes through the Oviston Nature Reserve and along the dam, featuring a mix of gravel roads, jeep tracks, game paths, and some single-track.