From Wikitravel

Graaff-Reinet is one of the oldest towns in South Africa and national heritage site, with more than 200 houses being protected. It was once one of the centres in the Karoo. It is also known for the nearby Valley of Desolation.

Contents 1 Get in 2 Get around 3 See 4 Do 5 Buy 6 Eat & Drink 7 Sleep 8 Get out

Get in

From Bloemfontein, take the N9 at Colesberg through Middelburg. You may want to visit Nieu-Bethesda on the way.

Get around

See

The old town centre is preserved and you can actually feel the Karoo-atmosphere there.

Do

• Walk around to explore the town centre. Go into one of the restaurants to get a feeling for the old furniture and the way the people must have lived once upon a time.

• Visit the Valley of Desolation. To get there, go North a few kilometers towards Richmond, then turn left into the reserve. Then turn left again to drive South into the mountains.

The view from the top is awesome. There is no canyon to block your view. You can really see as far as the eye can see. The dry Karoo air means the view is not the least bit hazy. Best go at sundown as the shadows stretch out over the landscape.

There are also hiking trails.

Lots of museums like the Reinet House, Hester Rupert Art museum, Pierneef museum,etc.

Buy

Most shops are located around the city centre at Church Street.

Eat & Drink

Some restaurants are available for a breakfast or a real meal. They are basically all located near the town centre.

Sleep

De Erf Manor House is a 4 star Guest House that offers luxury en suite double bedrooms with private entrances. The most memorable activity at De Erf is consuming fine food which is served in the Dining Room. Well worth a visit, contact the Guest House at : +27 (0)49 893 - 0313

Get out

• Go paragliding or microlight aircraft flying.
• Visit the Mountain Zebra National Park that is not too far away.
• Visit Nieu-Bethesda (53km from Graaff-Reinet)with the Owl House, Fossil Interpretation Centre, Craft and coffee shops, art centres,Ganora Excursions,etc.
• Ganora Guestfarm & Excursion 60km from Graaff-Reinet or only 7km from Nieu-Bethesda) to Bushman rock art, Private Fossil and artifact museum, fossil walk, hiking, mountain biking, birding, etc. 049-8411302, www.ganora.co.za info@ganora.co.za

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