Enjoy the Adveture in Gariepdam!
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Gariep Dam includes countless tourist attractions:
The Lake Gariep tourism route is a circular route on the banks of the lake. The town, Gariep Dam, is the ideal location to use as a basis to explore this unique tourism route. The tourism route is rich in culture, recent history and offers various adventure tourism activities and eco-tourism activities in three provincial game reserves on the shores of the lake. From Gariep Dam, the route takes one to Oviston. Here one can appreciate the inlet to the Fish River Tunnel. From Oviston, one drives through the little town of Venterstad on-route to South Africa’s longest bridge at Bethulie. Near Bethulie, one can visit the concentration camp graveyard, which is together with the graveyard at Norvalspont, a sullen reminder of the Anglo Boer war of 1899 to 1902.
The lake itself offers hours of endless boating, yachting and water sport opportunities. Take a sunset cruise with the Gariepboatcruises experience for old and young.
The Gariepdam area shoreline provides the fisherman with a diversity of angling activities, including fly-fishing and bait fishing for yellowfish, tilapia and mudfish.
It is evident that Gariepdam area has a wonderful infrastructure for tourism and a diverse list of activities and attractions… yet it is the simple beauty of this destination and the friendly courtesy of the local residents which results in a tourism experience with no equal… Come and savour it!
Gariepdam Activities
Remember that some of these activities are season and weather bound. Please contact the individual organizations to confirm that the activity will be available and to make your appointment long before you plan to visit the area.
Boat cruises
A boat cruise on South Africa’s Gariep Dam, the largest in the country, offers an enchanting blend of nature, history, and adventure. Explore the dam wall, islands, and wildlife while enjoying the stunning sunset.
Gariep Nature Reserve
The Gariep Nature Reserve is situated at the northern shores of Gariep Dam, offering a unique wildlife experience. Game viewing allows encounters with antelope, zebras, and various bird species in their natural habitat, amidst scenic landscapes and tranquil waters, providing an enriching nature adventure.
Gariep Dam wall Tours
Gariep Dam wall tours offer an insightful exploration of engineering and history. The dam’s interior features multiple levels accessible by an elevator ride down to the original riverbed. These tours offer an educational and immersive experience, delving into the heart of the dam’s history and architectural marvel. Take note: These tours are not always possible due to maintenance and day to day work.
Water Sport
For water enthusiasts, this destination is a paradise. Boasting a vibrant water sports scene, it attracts visitors from afar. From boating and sailing to jet skiing and organizing powerboat races, this place offers a plethora of aquatic activities. It’s a hub for water-based events and adventures.
Cycling
The hilly terrain in the area provides an ideal backdrop for hosting diverse cycling events. From short-distance Nationals to challenging 165km routes encircling the Gariep Dam, this location caters to cycling enthusiasts seeking varied and picturesque routes.
Boat Fishing
Gariep Dam is a haven for boat fishing enthusiasts. Visitors bring their boats, spending hours on the water in pursuit of the big catch. The dam’s abundant fish population provides an excellent angling experience.
4 X 4
Gariep Dam and its surroundings are a hub for 4×4 enthusiasts. Events and adventures beckon, with the opportunity to take your vehicle on mountainous excursions, offering breathtaking views of the Karoo landscape, or test your skills on a challenging 4×4 track.
Mountain bike
The Gariep Dam area offers a diverse terrain for mountain biking, featuring gravel roads and challenging hills. It has successfully hosted biking events. Bring your bike, hit the trails, and relish the exhilarating experience.
More About Gariepdam
‘The place of great dryness’, ‘Nu-Gariep’ and the ‘plains of Camdeboo’ are names which have, in the past, been given to this vast land of flat-topped koppies and stunned vegetation. Ironically enough, this vast dryness became the spot for South Africa’s largest inland lake:
The name ‘Gariep’ is derived from the San explanation of ‘Red Waters’. The Gariep Dam is located within the Karoo Heartland and is the largest fresh water expanse in South Africa. It is situated on the Orange River with a shoreline of 435 km and a surface area of 360 square km. Construction was completed in 1971 and officially opened on the 4th of March 1972. It is known as one of the country’s greatest civil engineering projects. The dam wall has a height of 88 metres, and the length of the wall is 914 metres. Two underground tunnels deposit water into the Fish-and-Sundays Rivers, thus enabling substantial irrigation farming in the remote areas of the Eastern Cape Province. The hydro-electric power generated supplies areas as far as Cape Town and Gauteng Province.
The little town of Gariep Dam was one of eight construction towns that were built in the early 1960’s to house the construction workers of the Orange River Scheme. It was decided during the planning phases of the project that the Gariep Dam, together with its construction town, would become an inland tourist haven. Development was, however, hindered by the fact that nobody could get ownership of their property.
The proclaiming of Gariep Dam as Municipality in 1994 was a great step forward and after the property was officially transferred to the Municipality in 2000, the ball was set for development.
Consequently Gariep Dam is the youngest town in the entire Free State Province and was presented with the ‘Volksblad town of the year’ award. It is situated a mere 5 km off the N1, on tarred roads. It is approximately 185 km south of Bloemfontein and 45 km north of Colesberg. Gariep Dam boasts with an Airfield with a 2 km tarred runway.
CONTACT US
Cell: 071 364 7654
Email:
stay@stoneridgesa.co.za
Address:
4 Kiewiet Street
Gariep Dam
Free State, SA
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