Route 62 ~ Ladismith

“The Jewel of the Klein Karoo”

Ladismith is situated in the Klein Karoo and lies along the Route 62 at the foot of the Klein Swartberg mountain range.

The majestic Towerkop, with it’s split peak, looms above the town. Ask even the youngest Ladismithian to draw a mountain, and nine times out of ten it will be Towerkop – the rare exception who draws something else must be the tenth child of a family newly settled in the town – because Towerberg is charged with all the magic its name suggests. Local legend has it that an angry witch, flying overhead, struck the peak with her wand, causing the split which today is seen from afar. No one needs to go any further to know that the peak changes marvelously, so that it looks bewitchingly different from every angle. Anyone who still doubt can climb it to fall under its spell.

The town was established in 1852. Named after Lady Juana Smith, wife of the Governor of the Cape, Sir Harry Smith. The original “Ladysmith” was changed in 1879 to “Ladismith” to prevent confusion with a similarly named town in Kwazulu Natal.

Ladismith serves as an extensive farming area with ideal climate for the production of quality fruit – apricots, peaches, plums, nectarines and grapes. Ladismith produces a third of South Africa’s apricots! If one travels east through the beautiful Hoeko Valley, breathtaking views of the orchards in the spring and autumn can be experienced. Traveling west of Ladismith, one can visit the picturesque valleys, with the orchards, vineyards and old farmhouses of Dwarsrivier, Voorbaat and Van Zylsdamme. Ladismith also have two cheese factories, Ladismith Cheese Factory and Parmalat. The local Winery offers the wine lover a great selection of Towerkop wines.

Architectural heritage

A variety of architectural styles can still be seen in the old building of the town: from neo-Gothic to Victorian to the typical Ladismith style, square with round vents at the front. The town has a variety of churches, among which the exquisite Lutheran church and parsonage and the Dutch Reformed church designed by Otto Hager are the most prominent. The Otto Hager Church serves as the local Tourism Bureau. There are still many attractive houses dating from the Victorian era.

Carl Otto Hager Church - declared as national monument

Albert Manor - declared as national monument

Fauna & Flora

Vegetation varies widely and ranges from fynbos in the mountains to Karoo broken veld, spekboom and succulents on the koppies and plains. Several species are endemic to the Klein Karoo, e.g. 21 of the 22 Gibbaem species. The town is very proud of a very rare bulb and flower that can only be found in this area: the Syringodea Saxatilis and the Protea Aristata. Another shrub endemic to the Klein Karoo, is the beautiful Nymania Capensis or the “Klapperbos” as the locals call it. The shrub has striking pink flowers and can be seen during the winter when traveling from Barrydale to Oudtshoorn.

Mammals gray rheebok, klipspringer and occasional kudu, Cape mountain zebra, steenbok, duiker, red hartebees, eland, springbok and numerous other small species are found here. Troops of baboons are common. Leopard roam the mountain. Reptiles are represented by five species of tortoise, boomslang, cape cobra, puff adder and various other snakes and lizards.

Activities

For the hiking, mountainbiking & 4 x 4 enthusiast

Seweweekspoort / Seven Weeks Poort

One of Ladismith’s most popular attractions is definitely Seweweekspoort / Seven Weeks Poort and is a definite must for hiking, moutainbiking and 4 x 4 enthusiasts! It is one of the most awe-inspiring and spectacular of all the mountain ravines in the country. Author and poet, CJ Langenhoven, called it one of the “seven wonders” of the old Cape Province. Seweweekspoort was opened in 1862 and was one of the first links through the Swartberg range. It is a spectacular drive: towering cliffs, jagged rock formations, which was formed by the forces of volcanic eruptions with interesting river crossings. The pass winds for 17km through the mountains at a level of 600 – 1000m above sea level. It crosses the stream 23 times, whilst the mountain slopes on both sides reach 1500 – 2000m. A definite must for any tourist visiting Ladismith!

Adventure

Canoeing, Mountain Biking, Kloof Swimming and Abseiling are some of the activities that can be enjoyed at Buffelspoort. Buffelspoort lies 30km outside of Ladismith, on the R323 to Laingsburg. Please contact the local Tourism Bureau.

P.O. Box 278
Ladismith, 6655
Tel/Fax: +27(0)28 551-1548
E-mail: mymering@mweb.co.za

Mymering Estate is situated in the fertile Dwarsrivier Valley, adjacent to export wine and fruit farms and overlooked by the majestic Towerkop sentinel. The Estate is a working essential-oil farm with an initial 36 000 lavender and 24 000 rosemary plants. Two luxurious suites, overlooking the lavender fields, comprises of large bed-sitting rooms with en suite de luxe bathrooms. Relax on wooden decks or in the private swimming pool with meals served alfresco or your private deck or in the resplendent stone and thatch manor house. Alternatively, relax in our charming self-catering fully-equipped thatched cottage. Both bedrooms are en suite and meals can be taken by arrangement in the manor house. The surrounding fynbos has been undisturbed for 25 years and is home to many birds and small game species. Succulents abound in the Klein Karoo rock formations. Mymering Estate is ideally situated for day trips to the Seweweekspoort and the Swartberg Mountain pass. Calitzdorp (40km) and Oudtshoorn (90km) are an easy day's outing. Wander down to Mosselbay or Stillbay, less than 2 hours away.

P.O. Box 12290
Die Boord, 7613
Tel: +27(0)21 875 5960
Fax: +27 (0)21 875 5965
Cell: +27 (0)82 400 1092
E-mail: info@rietfontein.co.za

Turn off the R62 between Barrydale and Ladismith in the scenic Little Karoo, you'll find a welcoming oasis at the end of a 12km dirt road and only three and a half hours from Cape Town. Rietfontein, a working fruit farm, lies on the southern foothills of the rugged Touwsberg Mountain. With an abundance of small game and a wealth of birdlife and flora, it's the perfect getaway for nature lovers and hikers. 5 fully equipped self-catering cottages & swimming pool set in tranquil surroundings.

Please visit our website for further information: www.rietfontein.co.za

P.O. Box 341
Ladismith, 6655
Cell : +27(0)84 4977304
E-mail: riverstone@polka.co.za

P.O. Box 224
Ladismith, 6655
Tel/Fax: +27(0)28 581-5009
Cell : +27(0)82 295-6226
E-mail: info@seweweekspoort.co.za

P.O. Box 409
Ladismith, 6655
Tel/Fax: +27(0)28 551-1770
Cell : +27(0)82 898-8500
E-mail: j.vanderspuy@telkomsa.net

P.O. Box 138
Ladismith, 6655
Tel: +27(0)28 551 1241
Fax: +27(0)28 551 1244
E-mail:ldutoits@worldonline.co.za

P.O. Box 409
Ladismith, 6655
Tel/Fax: +27(0)28 551-1770
Cell : +27(0)82 898-8500
E-mail: j.vanderspuy@telkomsa.net

P.O. Box 278
Ladismith, 6655
Tel/Fax: +27(0)28 551-1548
E-mail: mymering@mweb.co.za

P.O. Box 138
Ladismith, 6655
Tel: +27(0)28 551 1241
Fax: +27(0)28 551 1244
E-mail:ldutoits@worldonline.co.za

Kicks Restaurant

Our restaurant provides you with the finest Portuguese dishes and because we are an organic farm, you get the best nutrition, fresh from our garden to your plate, goes with the saying "You are what you eat"! The best cheesecake in the southern hemisphere and the tastiest pastries and desserts, are available freshly baked daily. Sundowners on the deck will be the perfect way to unwind and enjoy the spectacular Karoo sunsets.

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