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Graaff-Reinet is a town in Karoo Heartland.

[edit] Understand

Graaff-Reinet was established in 1786 and is the 4th oldest town in South Africa and the oldest town in the Eastern Cape Province. It was established to bring law & order, religion and education to the many Dutch farmers on the Eastern Frontier. It was named after the then Dutch East Indian Company Governor of the Cape; Cornelius Jacob van der Graaff and his wife Cornelia whose maiden name was Reinet.It is renown for it's architectural heritage and has more national monuments (over 220)than any other town in South Africa. It was once one of the largest centres in the Cape Colony as it was on the direct route to the minefields of the interior. Today it still functions as an important farming centre with the raising of Merino sheep, Angora goats, Ostriches and Game being the main activities in this area of the eastern Great Karoo. It is also well known for the nearby Valley of Desolation which today forms part of the newly established Camdeboo National Park of about 15 000ha.

Chuch Street is the main street of the town.

[edit] Get in

• From Bloemfontein, take the N9 at Colesberg through Middelburg. You may want to visit Nieu-Bethesda which is only 25km's off the N9 on the way.
• From Port Elizabeth take the R75 for 260km's past Uitenhage, Wolvefontein and Jansenville
• From George take the N9 for 340km's past Uniondale, Willowmore and Aberdeen
• From Beaufort West take the R61 to Aberdeen and turn left onto the N9. Distance 210km's.

[edit] Get around

Graaff is small enough to get around the centre on foot. You can arrange tours to the Valley of Desolation using one of the agencies near the church.

[edit][add listing] See

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

[edit][add listing] 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, (Head north out of Graaff-Reinet a few kilometers towards [[Richmond (South Africa)|Richmond]], then turn left into the reserve. Then turn left again after the entrance gate to drive south into the mountains.), ☎ (049) 892 3453 (camdeboo@sanparks.org, fax: (049) 892 3456), [1]. The Valley of Desolation is found at the top of Camdeboo National Park, where breathtaking cliffs and columns of rock make a haven for dozens of kinds of birds. There is a steep, curving drive to the top of the mountain, with an incredible view of the areaThe 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 is a short (45 min. hiking trail at the top, and other, longer trails within the park. R48 per adult per day (discount for RSA, SADC residents).  edit

• Reinet House Museum - the most visited museum in the East Cape
• Hester Rupert Art museum - contempory South African Art
• Pierneef Art Museum
• The Old Residensie Museum - Firearm and War Museum
• Urquart House Museum.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Most shops are located in Church and Caledon Streets around the Dutch Reformed Church which is in the center of town. On the corner of Parsonage and Church Streets are two little shops called Out of Africa and African Adventure which are both jam-packed with all kinds of curios. McNaughton's Bookshop near to Absa Bank in Church Street has a wide selection of tourist maps, guide books and general information about the area. They also carry a large range of new books with some Africana.

[edit][add listing] Eat

For the best meals in Graaff-Reinet visit:

• Gordon's restaurant (Andries Stockenstrom guesthouse), 100 Cradock St., ☎ +27 (0)49 892-4575 (info@asghouse.co.za). Absolutely the best dinner in town, if not the country.  edit
• The Coldstream Restaurant on the Eastern side of the Church in the centre of the town
• The Coral Tree in Somerset Street one block west of Church Street.
• The Wimpy near to Spar in Caledon Street serves a great breakfast.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Get someone to sign you in at the Graaff-Reinet Club next to the Coldstream Restaurant. It is the oldest watering hole in the town and filled with all kinds of interesting collections like historical weapons, caricatures of previous members and even has bullet holes in the bar counter dating from the Anglo-Boer War. Ask for Terrance Gush(usually behind the bar)to tell you all about it.
• Agave Silver or Gold - produced in the district in the only distillery outside Mexico to produce alcohol from the agave plant
• Withond(White Dog) - a local variation of Witblits(White Lightning) or Moonshine produced by special license on the premises of Reinet House Museum
• Karoo Cabernet - (Brandy & Coke)the closest thing locals know to red wine
• Pioneers Restaurant (pioneersrestaurant@telkomsa.net), 3 Parsonage street (Near the Reinet House.This immensely pleasing restaurant located in the historic Parsonage Street is not only itself part of the town's history but is full of interesting ...), ☎ +27 (0)49 8926059. A la Carte menu,Cosy Pub,Beergarden. What are the secrets of Pioneers' success? Simple - excellent food, plenty of it, old favourites as well as some interesting surprises on the menu and, last but not least, friendly and efficient service. Pioneers offers great value for money.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Samara Private Game Reserve, (Off the R63 towards Petersburg, 55 km), ☎ +27 (0)49 891-0558, [2]. A 5 star experience on 28 000ha. A unique Great Karoo experience with wonderful staff to pamper you and see to your every need.  edit

• Andries Stockenstrom Guesthouse, 100 Cradock street, ☎ +27 (0)49 892-4575, [3]. 4 Star Guest House. The best in the west, with Gordon Wright's unbelievable food a highlight.  edit

• Buitenverwagten B&B & Health Hydro, 58 Bourke Street, ☎ +27 (0)49 892-4504, [4]. A 4 Star Guest House with beautiful gardens close to the centre of town.  edit

• Obesa Lodge, 64 Murray Street, ☎ +27 (0)49 892-3143. Self-catering or B&B, beautiful succulent and cacti gardens. Reasonable rates.  edit

• Cypress Cottages, 76 Donkin Street, ☎ +27 (0)83 456-1795, [5]. A 4 star Guest House in quiet tree-lined street away from the hustle and bustle of town centre.  edit

• De Erf Manor House, (3km outside Graaff-Reinet), ☎ +27 (0)49 893-0313, [6]. checkin: 14h00. A 4 star B&B/guesthouse situated on a small farm, offers luxury en-suite double bedrooms with private entrances. The most memorable activity at De Erf (est 1806) is consuming fine food (including a wonderful breakfast), which is served in the Blacksmith's Shop. R420 pp sharing. (32° 17.384' S,24° 32.715' E) edit

• Le Jardin Backpacking.  edit

Graaff-Reinet seen from above.

• Villa Reinet Guest House, 83 Somerset Street (Map available on website), ☎ 049 892 5525, [7]. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 10:00. Villa Reinet has eight rooms for double accommodation. All rooms have air conditioning, comfortable beds dressed with percale cotton linen. All are en-suite with complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Serviced daily. 370pppns. (24o 31' 44 E,32o 15' 11 S) edit

[edit] Get out

• The Camdeboo National Park and Valley of Desolation, 14km outside town offers hiking, wildlife (a wide variety of Antelope, Mountain Zebra, Buffalo) and great birdwatching near the dam.
• Visit Karoo Connections at 7 Church Street for a range of 1/2 and full day tour options including an interesting Township Tour, a Historical Town Tour and the Valley of Desolation Tour which is a must.Their contact telephone number is 049-8923978
• 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.
• The Agave Distillery
• A historic Karoo Farm
• Kalkop Meteorite Crater