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    Graaff-Reinet

    South Africa

    Graaff-Reinet

    CityCulture

    Graaff-Reinet lies in a loop of the Sundays River in the heart of the Karoo, approximately three hours' drive north of Gqeberha.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. South Africa
    7. Karoo
    9. Graaff-Reinet
    Graaff-Reinet lies in a loop of the Sundays River in the heart of the Karoo, approximately three hours' drive north of Gqeberha. Founded in 1786, the town is considered the fourth oldest in the country and boasts over 200 heritage buildings. Right on the outskirts of town lies the Valley of Desolation with its rock pillars.

    Sights in Graaff-Reinet

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1Old Residency

    A historic dwelling on Parsonage Street, belonging to the town's museum complex. Together with the opposite Reinet House, it shows how wealthy families lived in the Karoo in the 19th century.
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    2Groote Kerk

    The Neo-Gothic church of the Dutch Reformed Church, completed in 1887, with its tall tower, is the city's landmark. From its spot at the end of Church Street, you get the best view of its facade.
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    3Urquhart House

    Old townhouse from the early 19th century, now part of the Graaff-Reinet Museums. The furnished rooms and garden showcase the life of a burgher family in the Karoo.
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    National Park

    4Camdeboo National Park and Valley of Desolation

    The National Park almost completely surrounds Graaff-Reinet. Its highlight is the Valley of Desolation, a gorge with dolerite rock columns up to 120 meters high. From the viewpoint above, you gaze far across the Karoo Plain. The park's lower section is home to buffalo, kudu, and mountain zebras.
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    City walks in Graaff-Reinet

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Historisches Juwel der Karoo: Ein Spaziergang durch Graaff-Reinet

    Entdecken Sie Graaff-Reinets reiche Geschichte und Architektur bei diesem 2-stündigen Stadtrundgang. Von imposanten Kirchen bis zu charmanten historischen Häusern – tauchen Sie ein in das Herz der 'Perle der Karoo' und erleben Sie eine faszinierende Zeitreise durch diese einzigartige Stadt Südafrikas.

    ~2 Std. 15 Min.
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    Stops (6)

    Essen & Trinken

    Cape Colony Frontier Town

    Graaff-Reinet was founded in 1786 by the Dutch East India Company as an administrative seat on the then border of the Cape Colony. In 1795, the citizens briefly declared their own republic. The town was the starting point for many Voortrekkers. Robert Sobukwe, the founder of the Pan Africanist Congress, was also born in Graaff-Reinet.

    Traveling

    You best reach Graaff-Reinet by rental car, from Gqeberha or as a stop between the Garden Route and Johannesburg. You walk in the center. You'll need a car for the Valley of Desolation; the access road is paved, but steep.

    Accommodations in Graaff-Reinet

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      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      • 1Old Residency3 days
      • 2Groote Kerk4 days
      • 3Urquhart House5 days
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    Nearby

    Karoo

    Karoo

    The Karoo is the vast semi-desert in the interior of South Africa, between the Winelands and the Highveld. Endless plains, table mountains, sheep farms, and small historic towns like Graaff-Reinet and Prince Albert define the landscape, with a clear starry sky stretching above at night.
    Addo and Sundays River Valley

    Addo and Sundays River Valley

    The region around the Addo Elephant National Park north of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) is the most important safari area in the Eastern Cape and is malaria-free. Besides the national park, private game reserves like Shamwari and Schotia are located here, plus the citrus valley of the Sundays River.
    Addo Elephants National Park

    Addo Elephants National Park

    The Addo Elephant National Park is located approximately 70 kilometres north of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). It was established in 1931 to protect the last eleven elephants in the region; today, over 600 live here. Besides them, there are lions, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, and zebras. The park is malaria-free and easily explored by private car.
    Beaufort West

    Beaufort West

    Beaufort West is the largest town in the central Karoo and a classic stopover on the N1, roughly halfway between Cape Town and Johannesburg. Right on the outskirts lies the Karoo National Park, featuring table mountains, mountain zebras, and a fossil trail.
    Schotia Private Game Reserve

    Schotia Private Game Reserve

    Schotia is a small private game reserve on the edge of Addo Elephant National Park and one of the oldest in the Eastern Cape. Lions, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and many antelopes live in a compact space. Schotia is known for game drives that extend into the darkness.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI