This pleasant little town is set in the midst of stunning scenery. It lies at the foot of the Hantam Mountains and is the capital of the northwestern Cape. One of the largest wool producing districts in South Africa and named after John Calvin, the reformer, in 1851. the word ‘ Hantam; is derived from the Khoikhoi language and means ‘mountain where the red bulbs grow’ – the red bulbs refer to the red uintjies, a small bulb resembling an onion.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Brandvlei 173 km, Carnarvon 237 km, Clanwilliam 116 km, Keimoes 414 km, Kenhardt 321 km, Nieuwoudtville 69 km, Upington 466 km, Vanrhynsdorp (N7) 121 km. Williston 102 km

Mountains – Hantam

HISTORICAL VIEW

Calvinia Provincial Museum

Originally an old synagogue (art deco) built in 1920. The museum sheds light on the lifestyle of the town’s inhabitants during the 1900’s.

Dutch Reformed Church

Built in neo gothic style

Grave of Abraham Esau

Anglo Boer war martyr. Abraham Esau sided with the British during the Anglo Boer War and mustered a force of 70 locals to defend the town against the Boer commandos under command of Field Cornet Scholtz. When the town finally surrendered in February 1901, Esau was publicly beaten and shot – only three days before Calvinia was recaptured by the British.

Hantam House

The Cape Dutch house was built by Field Corner A van Wyk during the 1850’s. This national monument today houses a coffee shop with a wine and malt licence.

NATURE

Akkerendam Nature Reserve

Flora and Fauna indigenous to the area, such as the Sterbooom (Cliffortia arborea), can be seen here. Picnic spots and excellent bird watching (more than 63 species recorded). Two hiking trails lead across the Hantam Mountain. Open from sunrise to sunset.

Spring Flowers

Calvinia makes an excellent base from which to explore the region and enjoy the spectacular Namaqualand flowers on most farms (Matjiesfontein, Toren and Nerasie are favoured spots), within a radius of 40 km from town.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Hantam Meat Festival

A gastronomical experience of typical traditional lamb dishes, held annually on the last Saturday in August.

Klipwerf Orkes

Home to this well known traditional (boeremusiek) band.

ACTIVITIES

4 x 4 routes

There are various routes along the escarpment with picturesque views and bushman (san) paintings, or long a riverbed with huge Namaqua Fig trees clinging to rock surfaces. A must during the spring when Namaqualand flowers adorn the countryside.

Bird Watching

Akkerendam Nature Reserve

Hiking

The Akkerendam Nature Reserve offers two trails. Duration 1 hour and 7 hours respectively. The trails afford beautiful views of the surrounding area

Accommodation in and around Calvinia