Calvinia, Upper Karoo
This attractive Karoo town lies in one of the largest wool-producing districts in South Africa, about half-way between Cape Town and Upington.
The Calvinia Museum, housed in an old Art Deco synagogue in Church Street, focuses on farming, transport and the lifestyle of the early inhabitants. The Tourism Office in the museum arranges guided walking tours of the town's special places of interest.
Two trails through the Akkerendam Nature Reserve offer opportunities to admire the lovely flowers found only in this region. The Hamtam Meat Festival is an event held in Calvinia every year in the last week of August.
Travellers' Reviews
2 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
Beautiful town, Hantam a definite visit with all its homemade produce an Blou Nartjie restaurant great for dinner and accommodation!
Adre-Marie (Worcester)
Verified review
Not a bad little town. Not your "bright lights, big city" type place, but quaint and with an endearing character all of its own. An interesting place to stop over, with some great guesthouses, and if you're willing to wait a while, some good food at Myl 250 and Blou naartjie. Peaceful, great for stargazing and still a "properse dorpie" ...and don't forget the annual "Vleisfees" in August if you enjoy sinking your teeth into anything meaty...
Neil Hamilton (Ex Langebaan, now Calvinia)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
African Dawn B&B
African Dawn B&B is a tranquil retreat, a place to relax and unwind in the heart of the Karoo. We offer quality, spacious and private accommodati...
Die Blou Nartjie
The Blou Nartjie welcomes you to the heart of Calvinia. We would love nothing more than to host you and be the home of your Karoo experiences. Th...
Kleinplasie Bed & Breakfast
Situated on a small holding just on the outskirts of Calvinia, Kleinplasie offers accommodation and a warm and welcoming place, ideal for that mu...
Katryn's B&B
Katryn's B&B is located perfectly between Cape Town and Upington and is within easy reach of Akkerendam Nature Resort. This is the ultimate spot ...
Tankwa Tented Camp
Tankwa Tented Camp offer Calvinia accommodation in permanent rip stop canvas tents and en-suite chalets. The original farmhouse (Hartebeeshuisie)...
Elandsberg Wilderness Camp
Elandsberg Wilderness Camp is located in the Tankwa Karoo National Park. The magnificent Tankwa Karoo National Park straddles the border of the N...
Calvinia Magic Garden
Calvinia Magic Garden offers accommodation just a short distance from the Calvinia Museum, Dutch Reformed Church and tourist information centre. ...
Calvinia Hotel
When entering the Calvinia Hotel, visitors are still welcomed with true warm country hospitality. Formed in 1851 on the Oorlogskloof River and na...
Things to do in the area
Oorlogskloof Rameron Pigeon Trail
Start: Groot Tuin, Oorlogskloof Nature ReserveFinish: Groot TuinDuration: 4 – 7 days, 53 kmFitness: moderately fitOur tip: pack a field guide to ...
Calvinia Museum
Nestled in the heart of the Northern Cape, Calvinia is a charming town renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage. At its core lies the ...
Calvinia Post Box
The small Northern Cape town of Calvinia may not be a buzzing urban hub of glitz and glamour, but it certainly has its own quaint appeal. And, pa...
Hantam Huis Restaurant
Hantam Huis Restaurant is nestled in Calvinia, a little town in the Northern Cape Province that exudes a unique history and charm. This same eleg...
Oorlogskloof Rock Pigeon Hiking Trail
Start: Groot Tuin, Oorlogskloof Nature ReserveFinish: Groot TuinDuration: 55 km over 5 daysFitness: fit, the course has been designed to tax the ...
R354 Sutherland to Matjiesfontein
The tarred R354 between Matjiesfontein and Sutherland (110km) is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the Western Cape. It's also one of th...
Noteworthy attractions
Karoo Gariep Conservancy
Karoo is a “quenna” word meaning “dry and hard”. Gariep is also a “quenna” word meaning “big water”or river. The Karoo Gariep Concervancy is foun...
Tankwa Karoo National Park
The 80 000 hectare Tankwa Karoo National Park, proclaimed in 1986 and still in a development stage, is at present in a veld recovery phase and it...
Gariep Dam Nature Reserve
The Free State's largest nature reserve is a combination of the 36 487 ha Gariep Dam on the Orange River and an 11 237 ha game sanctuary on its n...
Akkerendam Nature Reserve
Akkerdam Nature Reserve lies just outside the little town of Calvinia, which is found at the foot of the Hantam Mountain (mountain of the red bul...
Rolfontein Nature Reserve
Situated in the upper Karoo where an infinite sky and horizon seem to go on without end, the Rolfontein Nature Reserve is found roughly 16 kilome...
Doornkloof Nature Reserve
Lying peacefully in the mountainous upper Karoo of the Northern Cape, just outside the little town of Colesberg, Doornkloof Nature Reserve is pos...
Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve
Just 10 kilometres outside of the little town of Nieuwoudtville, between the towns of Van Rhynsdorp and Calvinia, lies the Oorlogskloof (war gorg...
Hantam National Botanical Garden
Established in 2007, the Hantam National Botanical Garden lies on the Bokkeveld Plateau just outside the town of Nieuwoudtville. It is regarded a...
Molteno Pass
Said to be South Africa's first mountain pass, Molteno Pass links Beaufort West to Loxton, in effect joining the oldest town in the area to the N...
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