What to See and Do
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Knersvlakte Succulents
Nieuwoudtville is just 22 km from the southern boundary of the Knersvlakte. – Arguably one of the richest if not the richest succulent biome in the world.
The N7 tarred road between Vanrhynsdorp and Nuwerus runs through the middle of this biome which is known for its dwarf succulents. They come into flower after the first autumn rains and flowering continues to the end of August.
I strongly recommend that this unique biome be visited.
On your arrival at Nieuwoudtville we will provide you with information on how to access the Knersvlakte and what can be seen.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Dolerite Hills Haemanthus sp
Dolerite Hills. These hills are just outside Nieuwoudtville and the slopes are the habitat of the spectacular Brunsvigia bosmaniae which flower most years in April. It is always worthwhile to walk these hills for the lichens on the rocks and for spring flowers.
Click here to view the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Glacial Pavement
The Glacial Pavement is approximately 10km from town. It is on this road that you can also reach the Hantam National Botanical Gardens (Glenlyon).Pick up a map from us and we will mark up what else should be seen on this route. The Glacial grooves at Oorlogskloof were produced by ice flow some 300 million years ago when southern Africa, as part of the Gondwana continent migrated over the South Pole. The debris transported by the glaciers accumulated to form the boulder-sand-clay mixture (tillite, diamictite) of the Dwyka Formation. Rock fragments held in the ice scratched the smooth sandstone floor of the Table Mountain Group, and also gouged deeply into a thin layer of loose sand deposited beneath the glacier. Linear ridges and bulbous bed forms record plastic yielding of sand into cavities at the base of the ice. Guided by the palaeoslope or deflected by an ice lobe coming from the east, the glacier flowed west-northwest at Oorlogskloof, although the much larger ice sheet over Bushmanland moved mainly southward and westward. Click here to see the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Rooibos Tea
Nieuwoudtville is a major producer of Rooibos Tea. These pictures will take you from harvesting to the bagging of the tea. The tea is harvested in summer and is now also harvested mechanically. The pictures tell it all. Tea can be bought in town. If you are in Nieuwoudtville in the summer months you can visit the Rooibos Tea factory. Pick up a map from us for the route to the factory. Click here to see the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Nieuwoudtville Dutch Reformed Church
This Neo-Gothic church towers over Nieuwoudtville and dwarfs the town. The foundation stone was laid in 1906 just after the devastation of South Africa by the Boere War. The sandstone was mined at Nieuwoudtville and all other material was fetched by ox wagon. An epic task in those days. This church is one of few in South Africa that has not been crowded by urban sprawl. In days gone by the congregation with their ox wagons and tents encamped around the church.
Click here to see the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Vanrhyns Pass
Vanrhyns pass was one of the last passes built by Thomas Bains and it is the gateway to and from Nieuwoudtville. At any time of day or year the view will always excite. Much photographed. Click here to see the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
The Waterfall
The waterfall. It is far more than just watching water cascading over the rocky lip. The pictures were taken at different times of the year. The gorge is always worth a visit even in summer. Look for the raptors, the Ficus cordata with roots that snake across the cliffs, Aloe metriformis and Crenum veriabile which flowers in January/February. Click here to see the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Ruins at Ouplaas
These ruins are to be found North of town on the Grasberg Road. One of the most evocative places on the Bokkeveld Plato. These photographs were taken over many years at different times and day. Just a few of the old inhabitants can recount the history of these ruins. Worth a visit at any time of the day to paint, sketch, photograph or just to ruminate. Pick up a map from us for directions to these ruins. Click here to see the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Matjiesfontein
Join me on a drive across the farm Matjiesfontein. I took these pictures in September 2012. The pictures follow the route I took across the farm. Over the years I must have driven this route more than 100 times. This farm is open to the public and can be driven. Do it. The owners are the friendliest people and during the flower season there is a restaurant where you can have a meal. Pick up a map from us and we will mark up the route to Matjiesfontein and other sites along the way. Click here to see the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
Pride of Nieuwoudtville
Geissorhiza splendidissima is endemic to Nieuwoudtville. A truly blue flower. It grows on the farm Bikoes to be found on the Grasberg Road. It grows together with Sparaxis tricolor which is also endemic to Nieuwoudtville. The flowers of both bulbs appear in September/October. You must visit Bikoes. Pick up a map from us and we will mark up where these flowers can be seen. Click here to see the photo album.
Call me at (+027) (027) 2181535 or e-mail me at info@nieuwoudtville.co.za to book your accommodation.
D5 Creation