Founded in 1851 on the stunning Oorlogskloof River and named after religious reformer John Calvin, Calvinia lies at the foot of the dolerite-topped Hantam Mountains (Hantam being a Khoi word meaning ‘where the red bulbs grow’).
It is the region’s key growthpoint and one of the country’s largest wool-producing areas. Like Sutherland, Calvinia enjoys 80% starlight and the night sky is as much an attraction for city-dwellers and astronomers as the rare sterboom is for botanists and horticulturalists. |
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i Tourist Information |
Calvinia Tourism Information
Tel 027 341 8100
Fax 027 341 8128
Calvinia Museum
Tel 027 341 8500 |
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4x4 Routes
There are various routes, some steeped in Anglo-Boer War history, along the escarpment with picturesque views and San paintings or along the riverbed with huge Namaqua Fig trees clinging to the rock surfaces. A must during spring when thick carpets of flowers adorn the countryside. Booking at, tel 02726 81317 or 027 341 2201.Akkerendam Nature Reserve
Offering walks for the fit or the frail, the reserve has two trails across the Hantam Mountain, affording you the opportunity to take in magnificent scenery, study the sterboom and up to 65 species of birds.Dutch Reformed Church
Designed by Gaysford, a Potchefstroom architect, the church is in neo-gothic style and cost 1 200 pounds to build.Grave of Abraham Esau
Anglo-Boer War martyr.Hantam House
Built by Field Cornet A van Wyk in 1854, Hantam House is in Cape Dutch style with a concave-convex gable. Retaining its original cedarwood woodwork, traditional delicacies are served in an exclusive coffeehouse built in the original kraal!Museum
Housed in the art deco Old Synagogue built in 1920, exhibits portray the lives of the early European settlers. A cedarwood horsemill and a display of mounted Cape fat-tailed, Merino and Dorper sheep relate the history of the area. Tel 027 341 1011.Spring Flowers
During the flower season, up-to-date maps direct flower-lovers to the best shows, eg Toren, Matjiesfontein and Nerasie farms. |
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Featured Accommodation
| 1. |  | | Die Dorphuis | | | Tel:(027) 341 1606 | | Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Calvinia | |
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| 2. |  | | Die Hantamhuis B&B | | Tel:027 341 1606
Cell: 082 720 1812
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| 3. | | | Hantam Hotel | | | Tel:027 341 1512 | | Hotels and Lodges, Calvinia | |
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| 4. |  | | Rolbos Guest House | | Tel:+27 (0)27 341 1666
Cell 082 699 1302 | | Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Calvinia | |
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| 5. | | | Berghaven Self Catering | | | Tel:(027) 341 2220 | | Self Catering, Calvinia | |
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| 6. | | | Brakfontein Self Catering | | | Tel:(027) 341 1651 | | Self Catering, Calvinia | |
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| 7. |  | | Calvinia Caravan Park | | Tel:027-3411871
Cell: 072 8699 837 | | Caravanning and Camping, Calvinia | |
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| 8. | | | Calvinia Hotel | | | Tel:(027) 341 2579 | | Hotels and Lodges, Calvinia | |
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| 9. | | | Caravan Park | | | Tel:(027) 341 1871 | | Caravanning and Camping, Calvinia | |
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| 10. | | | Carmel Villa | | | Tel:(027) 341 1446 | | Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Calvinia | |
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| 11. | | | Cobus se Gat Self Catering | | | Tel:(027) 341 2326 | | Self Catering, Calvinia | |
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| 12. | | | Commercial Hotel | | | Tel:(027) 341 1020 | | Hotels and Lodges, Calvinia | |
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| 13. | | | Die Kliphuis | | | Tel:(027) 341 2154 | | Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Calvinia | |
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| 14. | | | Groenewald Self Catering / B&B | | | Tel:(027) 341 1188 | | Self Catering, Calvinia | |
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| 15. | | | Hantam & NDM Flats Self Catering | | | Tel:(027) 341 8100 | | Self Catering, Calvinia | |
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| 16. | | | Hiesô Hiesô Guest Flat | | | Tel:082 771 1269 | | Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Calvinia | |
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| 17. | | | Joe’ Guest Rooms | | | Tel:(027) 341 2247 | | Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Calvinia | |
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| 18. | | | Klein Witputs | | | Tel:(027) 341 1279 | | Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Calvinia | |
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| 19. | | | Klipwerf Self Catering | | | Tel:(027) 341 1126 | | Self Catering, Calvinia | |
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| 20. | | | Matjiesfontein B&B/Self Catering | | | Tel:(027) 341 2203 | | Guest Houses and Farms, B&B, Calvinia | |
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  | Nieuwoudtville | Location: 69km, NW on R63
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 | Loeriesfontein | Location: 82km, NW
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