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  INFORMATION:
  NIEU BETESDA  |  GRAAFF REINET  

 
Province: Eastern Cape
Region: Karoo Heartland
Route: Owl Route

Owl Route -
turnoff from N9 to gravel road through Nieu-Bethesda A 50km horseshoe-shaped scenic route with views of the Compassberg starting 28km outside Graaff-Reinet, on N9 to Middelburg and returns to N9. The route goes through Nieu-Bethesda, a tiny village in a beautiful valley at the foot of the Compassberg.

Nieu-Bethesda is famous for its intriguing Owl House and Camel Yard, filled with glass and cement sculptures, with walls decorated with mirrors and ground glass. The Camel Yard contains hundreds of figures of animals, birds, sphinxes, towers, serpents and stars -a mythical wonder world created by artist Helen Martens. The Owl House is open to the public daily. Tel: 27 49 841 1603.

Attractions: An 1860 water mill, the Dutch Reformed Church and old graveyard, art galleries and crafts centres.

Great Outdoors: Hiking and walks, climbing, bird watching, 4x4 trails, accommodation on typical Karoo farms. 
Ganora Farm, 7km from Nieu-Bethesda offers guided tours to San caves and paintings, South African War engravings, unique guided fossil walk, farm accommodation. Tel: (049) 841 1302.

Tourist Information:
Nieu-Bethesda Municipality, Muller Street.
Tel. 27 49 841 1659.

Graaff-Reinet Publicity Association:
Tel. 27 49 8924248.
E-mail graaffreinet@elink.co.za

 

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