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Town Medium Calvinia

ID: w136606 View large map

Located in South Africa :: Northern Cape (Great Karoo)  :: Calvinia
Category: Places :: Town Medium

Booking

Calvinia, on the stunning Oorlogskloof River, lies at the foot of the dolerite-topped Hantam Mountains in the Northern Cape province of South Africa about halfway between Cape Town and Upington. The town was founded in 1851 and named Hantam', a Khoi-Khoi word meaning Mountain where the red edible flowers bloom. The town is located in the Bushmanland region, also known as the Dorsland. After the first Dutch-Reformed church was built, the minister insisted in changing the name to Calvinia after the Swiss reformer Johannes Calvin. Calvinia is the trading and service centre of the merino and dorper sheep breeders in the region. The Hantam Karoo is one of the country's largest wool-producing areas. The 2500 hectares Akkerendam Nature Reserve lies in the Hantam mountains, 2 km north of Calvinia. There is primary and high school in town. Calvinia is a quiet, small town, with not much going on.

Contact
Address :  Tourism Office, Karoo, South Africa
Contact :  Calvinia Tourism Information
Tel :  +27(0)27 341 8100
Tel2 :  +27(0)27 341 8130
Cellphone Reception :  Good Main Cellular Network :  CellC. MTN. Vodacom.

Directions

Calvinia lies approx. 420 kms north of Cape Town. One can drive via Clanwilliam and then take the R364 (gravel road) via the Pakhuis Pass. If you prefer tarred roads, stay on the N7 until Vanrhynsdorp and then turn right onto the R27 via Nieuwoudtville. Only suitable is The road through the Cedarberg and via Wupperthal is only suitable for 4WD vehicles.

Destination Information
Police Hospital Doctor Tourist Information Office Petrol Diesel Bank ATM Lodging Camping Butchery Bakery Liquor Restaurant Pharmacy Airstrip Tyre Repair Tyre Sales Mechanical Repair Towing Service
Facilities :  Shops, General Dealer
Police Telephone :  +27(0)27 341 1481
Hospital Telephone :  +27(0)27 341 8020
Doctor Telephone :  +27(0)27 341 1708
Tourist Information Telephone :  +27(0)27 341 8131
Towing Service Telephone :  +27(0)83 373 6707
Petrol Type :  Leaded & Unleaded.

Facilities
Other Facilities :  Auto Dealer. Showgrounds. Power Station/Substation.

Activities
Hiking Trails Swimming Bird Watching
Golf
More Activities :  4x4.
Notes on Activities :  (Some activities may be offered nearby).

Travelling Information

FUEL:
There are 24 hour garages in town.

HEALTH CARE:
Hospital no. given for Abraham Esau Public Hospital. Doctor no. given for Dr. Van Niekerk.

TOURISM:
If tourism info no. is offline - contract Avril Pieterse at +27(0)78 138 3361, or Namakwa Municipality at +27(0)27 341.

ROAD CONDITIONS:
The R355 from Calvinia, past the Tankwa Karoo NP, to Ceres, is generally in good condition. It has been reported that due to the small hard stones on the surface, it could cause tyre punctures. But the road is well graded, not many potholes, and can be comfortably driven with a sedan.

 Travel Tip!

A good time to visit is the end of August, when Calvinia hosts their 'Meat Festival' (Vleis fees).


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