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Apart from specialised interests that include unique
birds, reptiles and other wildlife, the spectacular
spring flower miracle is one of the main natural tourist
attractions, and what an attraction it is! Imagine
seeing 250 flowers per square meter, over hundreds of
hectares ... a sight beyond description. Displays
usually reach their peak towards the middle of August
and draws to a close at the end of September. Depending
on the rainfall the flowers may bloom from mid-July.
Calvinia Museum
Accommodated in the old synagogue, farming
activities from the early years are depicted by a bucket
pump, flour mill, cobbling & blacksmith workshops as
well as soap & candle-making utensils. Various
oddities, including the black wedding dress, and the
four legged ostrich as well as the Lombard Quadruplet
memorabilia are but a few of the interesting exhibits.
The development of sheep & wool farming in our country
is fully displayed at a separate venue.
Akkerendam Nature Reserve & Hiking Trail
Situated north of the town, the Akkerendam
Nature Reserve & Hiking Trail presents hiking into the
Hantam as an excellent way of exploring unspoilt nature.
The reserve is also a proclaimed bird sanctuary, and the Kareedam provides an oasis for many migrating birds.
Within two days keen birdwatchers can expect to see 65
different species, including the rare Cinnamon breasted
Warbler. For those who reach the summit of the mountain
awaits a sight that literally "lets you see forever on a
clear day".
Other Attractions Around Calvinia
Glacier tracts, dinosaur footprints & tracks,
the SA Astronomical Observatory at Sutherland, the
unique architecture in Calvinia and surrounding towns,
with corbelled houses and other sandstone structures.
Amble down Calvinia's "onderdorp" and consider its past
as reflected by its fine Cape Dutch, Victorian,
Edwardian & Georgian buildings ... see how the
different architectural styles have evolved and combined
to form unique styles suited for the extremes of our
climate.
Hantam Meat Festival (Calvinia Vleis Fees)
The annual Meat Festival, a carnivore's dream of Heaven,
is held during the last weekend of August. This is a
festival where lamb and mutton are prepared in every
possible way and portions sold at give-away prices.
However, Calvinia's greatest asset is its people. The
harsh, desolate conditions produced a rare breed of
people, rich in spirit, creativity and independence -
with purity of mind as fresh as the air they breathe. |
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