Graaff-Reinet

The VOC, or Dutch East India Company, established Graaff-Reinet in 1786. The town’s name is named after the then-governor of the Cape, Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff, and his wife, Reinet. The VOC established the town to encourage trade between the Cape and the rural areas.

Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park
Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park

Graaff-Reinet is South Africa’s 6th oldest town and the oldest town in the Eastern Cape Province – read more about South Africa’s 15 oldest towns here.

Graaff-Reinet is known as the “Gem of the Karoo.” It is the town with the most national monuments in South Africa. It features over 200 historic buildings and pre-Victorian homes. Furthermore, it is an agricultural town with mohair, sheep and ostrich farms.

If you love history, find out more about the historical sites in Cape Town, including the Castle of Good Hope.

Where is Graaff-Reinet?

Getting to Graaff-Reinet takes a long time but is worth doing as part of a road trip through South Africa. The town is almost 3 hours by car from Port Elizabeth or Gqeberha (262 km).

Another road trip that is worth doing is driving from Johannesburg to Cape Town. Find out about the best halfway stops on this route.

Things to do in Graaff-Reinet

Dutch Reformed Church Groot Kerk on Graaff-Reinet
Dutch Reformed Church Groot Kerk on Graaff-Reinet

Because of its age, Graaff-Reinet has a lot to offer to visitors. Some of the best sights include:

  • The Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park
  • Dutch Reformed Church, Groot Kerk
  • The Reinet House, also known as the Graaff-Reinet Museum
  • GRT Brewery
  • Hester Rupert Art Museum Graaff-Reinet
  • The War Memorial
  • Old Residency
  • St James the Great Anglican Church
  • Urquhart House Museum
  • The Recollection Village and Museum
  • Anglo-Boer War Memorial
  • Gideon Scheepers Memorial
  • Old Library Museum
  • Andries Pretorius Monument
  • Monument to the Independent Colony of Graaff-Reinet
  • The Monument to Jewish Pedlars
  • Krugersdorp Monument
  • The Union Monument
  • John Rupert Theatre
  • The Huguenot Monument
  • Karoo Ballooning

The Camdeboo National Park is one of South Africa’s many national parks – read more about them here. The Eastern Cape offers many other attractions.

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