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The Karoo town of Calvinia lies in South Africa's largest province, the Northern Cape, about halfway between Cape Town and Upington. Here in this gem of a town the people are still real, you can stop a stranger to ask directions, or sometimes just to chat. In Calvinia you can allow yourself to be "transported" to the past without being deprived of all the modern comforts.
In Calvinia you can relax and in peace and quiet, where the past and present are intertwined. This is a land where, 250 million years ago, prehistoric dinosaurs roamed the earth, leaving unique flora, fauna, geology and paleontology in harmony with the infinite universe.
Akkerendam Nature Reserve with two hiking trails which allows you an opportunity to enjoy the magnificent scenery, study the sterboom and up to 65 species of birds.
Spring flowers for nature lovers and the ever popular Meat Festival at the end of August.
The Calvinia Museum in Church Street is housed in the old synagogue. The museum illustrates the history of sheep farming in South Africa.
The Calvinia Museum also houses the Calvinia Tourism Office which arranges local walks and activities.
Travellers often use the town as a halfway / overnight stop along the R27 route. Visitors are invited to spend a day or two hiking, sight-seeing or bird watching.
The tourism season peaks during August and September when it is flower time!
The Hantam mountain range dominates the town of Calvinia. Hantam is the Khoi word for “the mountain where the red bulbs” grow.
Calvinia offers a range of accommodation options including Guesthouses, B&B's, Self Catering and farm stays.
Photos courtesy of "Karoo Images Photo Library"Karoo Images photo Library is owner run by Steve Moseley and Brent Naude-Moseley, and is based in Loxton, a tiny village in the heart of the Great Karoo. Steve and Brent have been exploring and photographing the arid regions of South Africa for the past twelve years. Their library specialises in images of the Great Karoo, Little Karoo, Kalahari, Namaqualand, and Richtersveld, and also covers the Overberg and Garden Route regions. Samples of the images available can be viewed at www.karooimages.co.za.
| Calvinia Tourism Office Information | |
|---|---|
| Web address: | https://www.namakwa-dm.gov.za/tourism/ |
| Telephone: | +27 (0) 27 341 8100 |
| E-mail: | tourismcalv@namakwa-dm.gov.za |
| Address: | 19 Pastorie street Calvinia 8190 |
