Nieuwoudtville

Accommodation | Activities | Restaurants | Business Directory

Geography and History

Nieuwoudtville is a very pretty little town in the Northern Cape province of South Africa situated between Vanrhynsdorp and Calvinia, just off the R27.

Between the years 1700-1740, clashes between trekboers and indigenous people led trekboers to move to the top of the Bokveld escarpment. The town came into being in the late 1800s. On the Bokveld escarpment, Nieuwoudtville is known for its unique vegetation, with the biggest variety of indigenous bulbous plants in the world, and the 100m high Nieuwoudtville Falls on the Doring River.

The town’s streets are lined with historical sandstone buildings, one of which being the beautiful Neo-Gothic sandstone church which forms the heart of the town. This is a farming area, and the main products of this region are sheep, wheat and Rooibos tea.

Nieuwoudtville is very popular during the wild flower season when the town explodes into a kaleidescope of colour! Nieuwoudtville has a reputation as the bulb capital of the world. .

Activities

Glacial Rock Striations: From the Permian era 280 million years ago.

Khoisan Rock Paintings: Papkuilsfontein. Showing the use of red, yellow, grey and black ochres.

Matjiesfontein Farmstall: Enjoy lunches, teas and snacks in a historical building surrounded by a variety of wild flowers. Tel 027 218 1217.

Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve: Ten kilometres south of town, the rugged series of deep ravines incised by the Oorlogskloof River offers hiking trails (two 50km four-day hiking trails and two 1-day walks) and a home to several rare bird species, including booted eagles, black storks and gymnogene. The reserve spans 5 577 hectares. Tel 027 218 1159.

Quiver Tree Forest: On Rondekop flower route.

Waterfall : The Nieuwoudtville Falls, a 100m wonder on the Doring River.

Wild Flower Reserve: On Glenlyon, with displays of over 500 000 endemic Bulbinella.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Nieuwoudtville includes Guesthouses, B&B's, Self Catering and camping.

Photos courtesy of "Karoo Images Photo Library"Karoo Images photo Library is owner run by Steve Moseley and Brent Naude-Moseley, and is based in Loxton, a tiny village in the heart of the Great Karoo. Steve and Brent have been exploring and photographing the arid regions of South Africa for the past twelve years. Their library specialises in images of the Great Karoo, Little Karoo, Kalahari, Namaqualand, and Richtersveld, and also covers the Overberg and Garden Route regions. Samples of the images available can be viewed at www.karooimages.co.za.