Co-ordinates & Temperatures

Calvinia is situated 31°30'S and 19°44'E, 970 m above sea level. The average summer temperature in Calvinia is 22°C, but frequently soars above 40°C. During winter the average temperature is 10°C, but it may plummet to -8°C, with an average night temperature of -2°C, with severe frost. Snow frequently falls on the Hantam mountain range during the winter, and is our main source of primary drinking water.

How to get to Calvinia

From Gauteng in the north, you can choose one of two routes.

Route one would be via Upington over Brandvlei to Calvinia. The other route leads via Kimberley through Carnarvon and Williston, a distance of some 1200 kilometers.

From the south you leave the N7 at Van Rhynsdorp and ascend the escarpment through the magnificent Van Rhyn's Pass to the floral kingdom of the Hantam.

Another route consists of a breakaway from the N1 at Matjiesfontein, through Verlatekloof, Sutherland, via Middelpost to Calvinia.

For the very brave, through the Ceres-Karoo on the R355, which is the longest distance between two neighbouring towns, i.e. Ceres and Calvinia - a distance of about 250 kilometers.

To see a printable map of routes, please click on the relevant page number. The subsequent page will print comfortably on an A4 page.