Straddling the border of the Free State and Eastern Cape provinces, the massive Gariep Dam is the largest dam in South Africa. This specularly scenic area is known as a water sport mecca and offers a variety of wonderful activities, as well as comfortable accommodation for its visitors. The dam is fringed by two stunning nature reserves, home to an array of wildlife, including one of the world’s largest black wildebeest herds. Visitors can tour the dam wall through hidden tunnels and up and down hundreds of steps; explore the surrounding area on the 165-kilometre Lake Gariep Route; and drive through the 80-kilometre Oviston tunnel, one of the longest of its kind in the world. For adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike, popular activities include fishing, boating, horse riding, tractor riding, canoe trips and quad biking.
Matjiesfontein is a quaint little railroad town situated on the fringe of the Karoo. This fascinating remote town has been proclaimed a National Heritage Site as the entire town boasts well-preserved Victorian buildings. Matjiesfontein is set in spectacular terrain, amidst barren mountains and wide open tranquil Karoo landscapes. Visit this living museum and step back in time, enjoy the old world charm of the Lord Milner Hotel, take a ride on the Old London Bus, or explore local history in the Transport and Victoriana museums. Other attractions include: The Old Post Office, the Travellers Chapel, The Railway Station, and the picturesque Pink Church. Visitors can look forward to a wide range of activities including: bird watching, veld walking, hiking, swimming, mountain biking, and tennis.
Situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Paarl boasts an array of cultural and historical attractions and is surrounded by some spectacular nature reserves. Paarl was named after the huge granite dome of rock, which overlooks the town founded in 1690. The famous 11-kilometre-long Main Street features the Strooidak Church, Die Oude Pastorie Museum and the Patriot Building. The beautiful homestead of Labories in Main Street was bought by KWV. The KWV cellar complex is the largest in the world, covering an area of 22 hectares. The magnificent Cathedral Cellar, with its barrel-vaulted roof and large carved red wine vats is spectacular and depicts the history of the Cape’s wine industry. Visitors can enjoy a wide selection of activities including: wine tasting, scenic fynbos hikes, cycling, sampling local cuisine and much more.
Set at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans and backed by the iconic Table Mountain, the bustling city of Cape Town presents an alluring combination of drawcards. Incredible powdery white beaches, highly acclaimed wine routes, and astonishingly beautiful mountain trails surround a cosmopolitan hub. This diverse metropolis is filled with superb shops and restaurants, extraordinary heritage monuments, a multitude of entertainment venues, and a spectacular, chic waterfront harbour. Highlights include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art; Table Mountain's jaw-dropping views; Boulders Beach, where penguins might swim right up to you in the warm Indian ocean waters; the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where you can walk along a treetop canopy among incredible native flora or watch an open-air concert at the base of the mountain; Robben Island, where visitors can see the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years; and many more.
