Calitzdorp

Calitzdorp is situated in the Klein Karoo in the Western Cap

Calitzdorp is situated in the Klein Karoo in the Western Cape. During the pioneering days hunting was good in the Klein Karoo and soon homesteads were built and by 1845 a community centre was established. Calitzdorp enjoys a mild climate, especially in winter, and its mineral rich spring waters are a great attraction.

Take a walk down Queen Street, the oldest street Calitzdorp, with its fine examples of Edwardian and Victorian architecture and dont miss the lovely stone church. In the adjoing church hall a team of local seamstresses has given Calitzdorp unique legacy in the form of 27 wall-hangings illustrating the gospel according to St Matthew. There is a small museum and two art galleries.

The Hennie Cloete Nature Garden offers a lovely view of the town and a one-hour walk to view many of the succulents for which Calitzdorp is famous. Further afield is the Gamkasberg Nature reserve, where the new protea Golden Mimetese was discovered. You can visit the five wine cellars on the wine route: Boplaas, Die Krans, Calitzdorp Winery , Axe Hill and Withoek, which produce a variety of red, white and dessert wines as well as the famous port for which Calitzdorp is world-renowned.

Take a drive to the spectacular Swartberg Pass, the Huisriver Pass or the Rooiberg Pass with its stunning flora and views and cairn of stones deposited by travellers to bring them a safe journey and good fortune. 27 km for Calitzdorp, a gravel road leads northwards through the Swartberg to the famous Seweweekspoort with its unique rock formation. Yet another drive worth taking is to Amalienstein, a town famous for its beautiful church and whitewashed buildings.

Accommodation in Calitzdorp

• The Retreat at Groenfontein offers accommodation in Calitzdorp, Western Cape is an old Victorian farmhouse in the lovely Groenfontein Valley conservancy, bordering on the 129.000ha Swartberg Nature Reserve and situated 20kms northeast of Calitzdorp on a scenic, winding gravel road, 59kms northwest of Oudtshoorn and 38kms southwest of the Cango Caves, both half gravel, just off the magical Route 62.
• The Port-Wine Guest House offers accommodation in Calitzdorp, Western Cape. Situated on the Scenic Route in Calitzdorp, the Port-Wine Guest House is a historical building built in 1835 and beautifully restored to its former glory. Experience the countryside and many things to see and do. There are 6 luxury en-suite bedrooms with four-poster beds, a cosy atmosphere with fireplaces in the lounge and diningroom and a full bar.
• Spekboom Cottages - Self-Catering accommodation in Calitzdorp. Renovated Nagmaal cottages offering luxury accommodation, self catering or B&B. Spekboom Cottages are situated in Calitzdorp between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. This is a perfect getaway from the city and with a variety of cottages to choose from, you will be sure to have an excellent stay. Accommodation available for 16 persons.
• Die Dorpshuis - Guesthouse accommodation in Calitzdorp. Come and have a most relaxing stay in Die Dorpshuis. Our beautifully decorated en-suite rooms are equipped with Satellite TV, with coffee/tea and home made rusks. Our accommodation includes a self-catering cottage with two rooms, to bed four people. The garden - as described by a guest - a little fairy glen is our pride. The azure blue swimming pool rounds it off.
• Welgevonden Guest House - Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Calitzdorp. Welgevonden is a charming guest house on a small Chardonnay wine farm in the heart of the Klein Karoo overlooking Calitzdorp. Calitzdorp is a corner of Kannaland (Klein Karoo) reserved for lovers of port wines, quaint old buildings and peace of mind. Welgevonden is for those who like to combine these things with warm hospitality. Reenen & Briëtte Barry offer 4 en-suite bedrooms.
• Assegaay Bosch Game Lodge offers visitors to the Little Karoo a truly unique experience in Calitzdorp. “Our business is to charter guests in our 14-seater Cessna Grand Caravan Aircraft where you can enjoy a magical scenic flight along the Southern Cape Coastline, over the majestic Outeniqua Mountain Range, to the untouched mystery of the Little Karoo and the captivating beauty of Assegaay Bosch Game Lodge. Guests are accommodated in cozy thatched lodges, which are stylish and symbolic of the natural environment. During hot summer nights relax outside on the verandah and experience magnificent sunsets. A honeymoon suite is available on request. The Private Lodges each contain en–suite bathroom, air-conditioning, self-catering kitchen, open-plan lounge, fireplace, DSTV. The loft is suited to all you “sociable weavers” at heart, and provides upmarket bedrooms for larger groups, sports teams & school outings at a relatively inexpensive rate. A restaurant and bar is available for the convenience of all guests.
• Calitzdorp Country House offers spectacular views across a fertile valley of vineyards and orchards to the majestic Swartberg Mountains beyond. Five luxurious air-conditioned bedrooms, each with its own private patio, garden and fountain, are furnished throughout with Victorian, Cape and French antiques and graced with a fabulous collection of original South- and West African paintings, carvings and bronzes. Original Oregon wood floors provide the perfect mirrored showcase for a colorful variety of Persian rugs, adding to the overall elegance. All the Italian-tiled en suite bathrooms include showers, twin washbasins on magnificent granite slabs and best of all, outsize baths that invite intimate candle-lit assignations.
• Calitzdorp Spa is the ideal resort for relaxing in our natural hot spring baths, be it for having fun, or for therapeutic relief. The views from the Spa are awesome, and there is so much for enthusiastic eco-tourists to do and see. Our large Caravan and Camping sites are well shaded with electrical power points available in the one camp. Our second camp is ideal for caravan rallies and camping groups, allowing you to laager under the shady trees. Each site has water points nearby, and our well-located ablution facilities are of a top class quality offering abundant hot water, with dishwashing and scullery facilities adjacent. We have four and six bed, fully equipped, self-catering and extremely comfortable and intimately furnished chalets. Each chalet has its own private parking and individual braai facilities. Our restaurant facilities offer you the best of both worlds. Do your own self-catering, or let us pamper you with breakfast, lunch and supper.

Accommodation in and around Route 62