South Africa: Western Cape: Prince Albert

An Introduction to Prince Albert & its Surrounds

Prince Albert
Just 2kms from the foot of the awesome Swartberg Pass, the pretty, historic village of Prince Albert is the perfect base for exploring all the wonders of the Swartberg mountains including Gamkaskloof (The Hell) and Meiringspoort. Hiking, mountain biking, birding and botanical excursions are major attractions. Apart from a superb climate and spectacular night skies, the village itself is a small gem with beautifully preserved Cape Dutch, Karoo and Victorian buildings.

Prince Albert is well known for its sun-ripened fresh and dried fruit, especially figs and apricots whilst Karoo lamb, olives, olive oil and homemade cheeses are all local delicacies.

Bushmen were the earliest inhabitants of the area and remains of their culture are still to be found in the district.

In 1762, the first loan farms were made available in this area and Queekvalleij, the farm on which Prince Albert later developed, was allocated to Zacharias de Beer. The farm proved to be very fertile, and with water aplenty from the mountain stream, De Beer soon established fruit orchards, vineyards and wheat fields. He also farmed with sheep and cattle and Queekvalleij soon became well known as a stop-over for travellers and explorers, weary from the long trek across the barren Karoo. They were delighted by the hospitality with which they were received and the excellent fresh produce and wine with which they were entertained.

In 1842 a Dutch Reformed Church parish was established in the town which was then known as Albertsburg. In 1845 the village was officially named Prince Albert in honour of Queen Victoria’s consort.

In 1891 a shepherd found a gold nugget on the farm Klein Waterval and the Prince Albert Gold rush started, but was short lived as only 1 504 ounces of gold were ever mined. At the same time the ostrich feather market boomed in Europe and Prince Albert experienced great prosperity.

There are 14 buildings in Prince Albert which have been declared National Monuments. This includes Seven Arches, the Swartberg Hotel, Bona Vista, the DR Church parsonage, Forsyth’s shop, the DR Church, Helmuth, Doktershuis, De Bergkant Lodge, Vergelegen, Albert’s Mill, the DR Church Hall, St John’s Anglican Church and Dennehof. There are a further 5 National Monuments in the district including the Swartberg Pass, Gamkaskloof, the Church at Seekoegat, the still at Vrolikheid and the farm house on Baviaanskloof.


Swartberg Pass
The 27km Swartberg Pass is considered one of the finest mountain passes in the world. The Pass is a dirt road that winds to the summit 1583 meters above sea level in steep zigzags and sudden switchbacks with breathtaking views at every turn. The road is supported in places by hand-packed stone walls, a trademark of brilliant road engineer Thomas Charles Bain.

Along the way there are relics of an old prison, toll hut and other interesting historical sites. Often covered with snow in winter, the mountain’s unique micro-climate supports fynbos and a rich bird life in contrast with the arid zone flora and fauna outside its cool shady kloofs. The Swartberg Pass was declared a National Monument in its Centenary year, 1988.

In 1881 it was decided that an alternate route to Meiringspoort was needed between the coast and the Great Karoo and building began on the Swartberg Pass which was completed at a cost of 14,500 Pounds and opened in 1888.

Things to see along the Pass: Eerste Water where Bain’s campsite was located during the building of the Pass. Look up at the rocks above and see if you can spot the natural clock and cross. Further along the road, just past Malvadraai, on your right-hand side, are the ruins of the old prison which housed the prisoners who were used as labour to build the pass. Amongst the first pine trees that you pass is the Old Toll, which is now an over-night camping hut. This is the site of the original Old Toll House, which no longer exists, and was erected to charge those traversing the Pass at 4 pennies per wheel, and one penny per animal. There is a picnic site located amongst the second group of pine trees on the left-hand side of the road. Stop at The Top for views of both sides of the Swartberg Mountains.

Swartberg Nature Reserve:
Driving along the Swartberg Pass you pass through the Swartberg Nature Reserve which covers 121 000 ha of mostly state-owned land.

This area was clearly used by the San for many centuries and there are numerous rock paintings and artefacts that have been found in caves all over the reserve.

This is an area of climatic extremes, with very cold winters, with snow often on the mountains and temperatures well below zero, while summers can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 40° C and more. The Swartberg mountains are part of the Cape fold mountain range and the geological formations are chiefly of the Table Mountain group.

The reserve’s vegetation is remarkably diverse, featuring renosterveld, mountain fynbos, karoo-veld, spekboom veld and numerous geophyte species. Some species bloom virtually throughout the year although most plants flower in spring. In early autumn, many protea species flower, attracting large numbers of sugarbirds and sunbirds. During mid-summer many of the plants on the higher peaks flower including the rare Protea Venusta.

Mammals likely to be seen include Klipspringer, Grey Rhebuck, Kudu, Baboon and Dassie. Leopard and Caracal also occur in the area but are seldom seen. More than 130 bird species have been recorded here including Black, Fish and Martial Eagle, Cape Sugarbird and Pied Kingfisher.

The best times for hiking are April to May and September to October. Various hiking options are available from easy day hikes to a fairly demanding five day route. Please remember to obtain a hiking permit from the Tourism Office in Prince Albert for day hikes and from Cape Nature Conservation for the five day hike.

Gamkaskloof - The Hell
Gamkaskloof, better known as The Hell, is a fascinating valley near Prince Albert where a small, proud community lived in isolation for more than 100 years. Access was only on foot or horse back and harvests of dried fruit and wild honey were carried out by donkeys.

The Otto du Plessis road was carved into the valley in 1962, and thus began a gradual exodus with the last farmer, Piet Swanepoel, leaving in 1991. Their modest homes and relics of fruit orchards can still be seen.

Access to Gamkaskloof is 15 kms from Prince Albert near the northern summit of the Swartberg Pass. Visitors should allow almost a full day in a sturdy vehicle to travel the 57 kms to the end of the valley and back. Please note that this road is usually closed after excessive rainfall.

The valley, being of ecological, archaeological and cultural importance, is now managed as part of the Swartberg Nature Reserve. Visitors to the kloof may camp at one of the campsites or stay in one of the restored, original farmhouses.

“Die Fontein” is a farmstead run by Annetjie Joubert (nee Mostert), the only born and bred inhabitant left in the valley descending from the first settlers. Annetjie still practices old-time farming methods used by the original Gamkaskloofers and many of her products can be purchased at the Kiosk in the valley.

Other attractions and activities in The Hell include picnicking, a Norwegian Mill, fishing in the Gamka River and a 6 km interpretation hiking trail (three hours).


Meiringspoort
Soaring cliff walls with spectacular rock formations line the 25 km tarred road which winds along the floor of the gorge, crossing the Groot (Great) River 25 times. Each crossing or drift has its own name and story. The drifts from the northern entrance are as follows: Eerste Drif/Laaste Drif; Opmetingsdrif; Wasgatdrif; Bloupuntdrif/Valsdrif; Pereboom se Drif; Rooiuitspanning se Drif; Tweede Toldrif; Ontploffingsdrif; Watervaldrif; Uitspandrif; Wifonteindrif; Wadrif; Ou Toldrif; Witperdedrif/Rabbi se Drif; Herrie se Drif/Nagasdrif; Sanddrif; Perskeboomdrif; Steweldrif; Nooiensboomdrif; Aalwyndrif; Skelmkloofdrif; Boesmansdrif; Damdrif; Skansdrif and Spookdrif. Stop at the Waterfall Information Site to learn more. Entry to the Poort is via Klaarstroom, 55 km east of Prince Albert en-route to Oudtshoorn and the coast.

Hardy plants, including the indigenous Pelargonium, cling to the precarious rock faces while birds, baboons and smaller fauna abound in the protected kloofs and crevices.

Meiringspoort has been flooded several times in its 140-year history (the floods of 1885, 1968 and 1996 were devastating) and so the idea for building a high road over the mountains was born, the Swartberg Pass was opened in 1888. Due to this flooding, the road has recently been re-engineered and it is often closed after heavy rainfall in the area, as is the Pass.

Things to see in the Poort:

In 1929, the renowned Afrikaans writer and poet, C.J. Langenhoven carved the name of his imaginary elephant, Herrie, onto a boulder. The rock is now known as Herrie Klip and has been declared a National Monument.

The Waterfall is definitely well worth a stop. Take a walk along the path into the kranz which was constructed in the 1920's so that the Prince of Wales, later the Duke of Windsor, could walk up to see the bottomless pool where the mermaid dwells.

Klaarstroom
Klaarstroom at the entrance to scenic Meiringspoort, has remained virtually unchanged since the days of Queen Victoria. The hamlet was the home of South Africa’s last operator of a transport wagon and on Vrolikheid, a farm in the district, you can see a licensed wit blitz still, which has been declared a National Monument.

The first wool washery in South Africa was opened here in 1874 by a Canadian, PJ Allport. It was designed and constructed by George Wallis, the architect who designed the Moederkerk in Oudtshoorn and built the Anglican churches in Willowmore, Oudtshoorn, Klaarstroom and Prince Albert.

What to see and do in Klaarstroom:

The Anglo-Boer War graves of Corporal Boyd and Trooper Hirschford in the Anglican graveyard at The Church of the Good Shepherd.

The delightful Victorian architecture, have a good look at the police station (1880).

Stop for tea at the Klaarstroom Tea Room and Koffie Kombuis - if the sign is up outside the guest house in the morning or afternoon, feel free to drop in for ... tea and cake, coffee and rusks, a milkshake, breakfast or any combination of the above that tickles your fancy! Tel: 023 5411 474 / 082 4888 370

A short drive along the road to Willowmore will bring you to Vrolikheid, a farm where witblitz is distilled.

Things to see & do in & around Prince Albert

Prince Albert is filled with exciting and interesting things to see and do. There is something for everyone in this seemingly sleepy little village. As you will see, there is a lot going on here that is not always immediately obvious to those just quickly passing through. So why not stay a little while and surprise yourself with just how much does go on in and around this tiny Karoo town.

Astro Tours
Tel: 072 732 2950
Star-gazing has become the hottest and most fascinating activity on planet earth. The observation of other suns and galaxies satisfies our inquisitive minds. Hans and Tilanie Daehne of Astro Tours will show the Starry Splendour over Prince Albert to all star enthusiasts. Everybody admires the stars, but if you know and understand what you see, star-gazing becomes a fulfilling activity. Astro Tours takes you on a tour through the celestial splendour of the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy the celestial “Big Five” of our dark sky in the Great Karoo.

Bushman Valley
Tel: 023 5411 322 or 082 452 8134
Three kilometers south of town on the tar road. Bushman museum, rock shelters and daily tours. Best hiking trails near town. Splash pools and rock pools. 1,200 Ha Nature Reserve with game often sighted. Walk Bains’ original roadway to the Pass and see the 6km long stone walls built almost 200 years ago.

Dennehof Tours
Lindsay Steyn 023 5411 227
Come and experience a genuine Karoo Tour. Lindsay is an accredited Tour Guide and offers guided tours in air-conditioned comfort through the Central Karoo, Klein Karoo and the Garden Route as well as hiking and cycling in the Swartberg Pass. Whilst in Prince Albert, guests are encouraged to let Lindsay show them the Swartberg Pass or visit “Die Hel”, Gamkaskloof.

Fransie Pienaar Museum
Tel: 023 5411 172;
R10 per adult & R5 per scholar; next to Tourism Bureau.
This cultural historical museum in Prince Albert depicts the history of the town and environment. The contents of the museum were collected mainly by Fransie Pienaar. This collection of historical items is still growing today, due to further donations from past and present inhabitants of Prince Albert. It is now housed in the house, which was built by the Haak family in 1906. The building also served as a hospital from 1952-1978.
Hours: Mon-Fri: 09h00-12h30 and 14h00-17h00
Sat: 09h00-12h30 Son: 10h30-12h00

Historical Walks
Tel: 023 5411 211 Ailsa Tuhope
During school holidays Ailsa provides guided historical walks through the village. Meet some of the people who made Prince Albert what it is today - from Zacharias and Dina De Beer, who arrived in 1762, to Carel Lotz who created the Prince Albert Gables during the 1850's, to Dr Piet Luttig - a Boer War Rebel. See well-preserved examples of Karoo cottages, Victorian homes and various National monuments.

Hiking
Follow the "koppie" trail on the hill behind the village (no permit required). The path starts at the top of Bergsig Street. Wear a hat, sturdy shoes or boots and carry some water. Wonderful views of the village and the Karoo.
For more vigorous walks visit the Tourism Office for a permit, R25 per person, and a map of the hiking trails in the Swartberg Nature Reserve. The best times for hiking are April to May and September to October.

Outa Lappies
Outa Lappies (Jan Schoeman), voted Western Cape Tourism Personality of the Year 2000, lives 42km outside Prince Albert at Prince Albert Road, en-route to the N1, Outa believes that nothing should go to waste and his life is ruled by his saying 'something out of nothing.' He recycles garbage into extraordinary artworks, lamps and embroidery. He even sews together his own scraps of material, which is why he is called Outa Lappies.

Jans Rautenbach Schouwberg
Early in the 20th century the artist and photographer Gawie Beukes lived in De Beer Street. Recognising the need for entertainment, he brought the ‘moving pictures’ to Prince Albert, a building on his property became the first ’bioscope’. Now this cinema has become the foyer of the Jans Rautenbach Schouwberg, a new theatre complex, developed by Laetitia van Dyk. On the 29th of September, in the theatre which bears his name, film-maker Jans Rautenbach received an award from the Suid-Afrikaanse Akadamie van Wetenskap en Kuns in recognition of his life-long contribution to the world of South African film. In keeping with Gawie’s determination to bring culture and good old fashioned fun to the village, Laetitia hopes to stage a theatrical production every second month. To find out what’s on stage at the Schouwberg contact the Tourism Office.

Prince Albert Walks & Stories
Tel: 023 5411 211
R30 per adult & R15 per scholar
Storyteller and accredited tour guide Ailsa Tudhope can join you over a pre-dinner drink to tell you stories about the village, the Swartberg Pass, the Boer War and more.

Saturday Market
Next to the Fransie Pienaar Museum. Every Saturday morning the locals come to the market to sell their goods, have tea and socialize. Sale items include an interesting variety of local produce such as home-made goodies, fresh vegetables and fruits in season, Karoo Lamb, etc. So come down to the market and join the locals for a chat and a look around.

Tennis
Enjoy a game of tennis. R20 per person. Keys available at the Tourism Office. No play on Sundays.

The Ghost Walk
Tel: 023 5411 211
R30 per adult & R15 per scholar
Join Ailsa Tudhope for an hour-long pre-dinner walk around the streets of the village, in the company of the Ghosts of Prince Albert. You set out at dusk and wander the streets as darkness descends. The stories include ghostly tales: some eerie, others amusing; and a few stories about individuals who have left their mark here and some of the ghosts who show no interest in ever leaving ...

Shopping in Prince Albert

Gordon’s Drinkstore
Tel: 023 5411 666
The smallest bottle store with the biggest range of South African wines and spirits, beers and soft drinks. A range of local wines especially for visitors to sample and enough in ice in summer for everyone. As most restaurants in Prince Albert are not licensed, please remember to buy your crisp white or mello red wine from Gordon’s for dinner. Credit cards accepted.
Trading hours: Mon-Thu: 09:00 - 18:00, Fri: 09:00 - 19:00 & Sat: 09:00 - 17:00

Prince Albert Country Store
Tel 023 5411 053
46 Church Street — William & Colleen Penfold offer you an inspiring time browsing through their unique collection of interesting antiques and vintage items, including Cape furniture and copper, Boer War memorabilia, vintage pictures, beautiful porcelain and silver, fascinating books, old kitchen utensils and Colleen’s beautiful handmade quilts using Liberty materials. Local Karoo products of the highest quality are available.
Trading Hours: Everyday from 08:00 to 17:00

Prince Albert Gallery
Tel: 023 5411 057
Visit the Prince Albert Gallery, in Seven Arches. See a variety of paintings and sculptures by local artists. Here you will discover an exhibition of inOvation ostrich shell mosaic works. Artist Gideon Engelbrecht creates the swirling designs and employs a number of local women to set ostrich eggshell fragments and brass inlays in coloured backgrounds, turning tables, lamps, bowls, mirror frames and other items into works of art.
Trading hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00-16:00, Sat: 10:00-16:00 & Sun: 10:00-14:00

Prince of Africa: Cape Mohair products
Tel: 023 5411 016
Shop situated on the Swartberg Hotel Veranda
The highest quality mohair in the world. Do you know that 90% of quality Mohair is produced in Cape Mohair Country? Visit Prince of Africa to view the super-soft mohair blankets in a variety of colours and sizes; comfortable mohair socks for all shapes and sizes; scarves; shawls and beautiful hand knitted jerseys. Credit cards accepted. After hours service call 023 5411 454.
Open 7 days a week, 09:00 – 17:00

Wolskuur Spinners
Tel: 023 5411 363
Die Wolskuur produces a magnificent range of hand spun, woven rugs in a variety of sizes, designs and colours. In addition they sell natural woven products which include Mohair blankets. Visit the weavery and the shop at 95 Church street.
Trading hours: Mon-Fri: 07:30 - 17:00 & Sat: 09:00 - 13:00

The Lazy Lizard
Tel: 023 5411 379
The Lazy Lizard started as a bus terminal. Today it is a family owned business, offering a variety of services from — wireless internet connection to coffee shop, bakery and delicatessen, curios and a health and fitness centre. Come and visit Juan, Caryn and Alex, you won’t be sorry.
Trading hours: Mon-Wed, Fri 07:00-18:00, Thu 07:00-09:30, Sat 07:00-17:00 & Sun 07:00-16:00

Tourism Office
For postcards, books, The Prince Albert Friend, olives, olive oil, dried figs, fig jam, almonds etc. Please visit the Tourism Office.

Farm Visits

Bergwater Vineyards
Stefaan and Heimie Schoeman Tel: 023 5411 703
The First winery in the Great Karoo is situated in the exquisite Prince Albert Valley just outside the village of Prince Albert. The Bergwater farms comprises 5 farms totaling 3000 hectares of which 110 hectares of vineyards will be established (70 hectares to date), the remainder of the land is utilized as a nature reserve. Wine tasting and wine sales are available to the public at the cellar during trading hours, no booking necessary.
Cellar times: Mondays to Fridays 09:00-16:30 and Sat 10:00-14:00.

Gay’s Dairy/Cheese Tours
Gay van Hasselt Tel: 023 5411 274 or 5411 538 Off Church Street.
Gay’s beautiful Guernsey cows produce an average 450 litres of milk a day for consumption in Prince Albert. Gay’s Dairy also processes low-fat yoghurt’s, cheese, amasi and fruit juices. The dairy is open week days from 07:00-09:00, 10:00-12:00 and 16:00-18:00. Saturdays & Sundays 07:00-10:00 and 16:00-18:00. A must for those with discerning taste buds. For tours, including school groups, contact Gay at the above number.

Olienhof Olive Tree Nursery
Linda Fodor Tel: 023 5411 787
Pay us a visit and buy a Prince Albert olive tree to take home as a reminder of the village. You can buy Olienhof products at the Olienhof Caravan Park.

Swartrivier Olive Farm
Jan and Annalien Bothma Tel: 023 5411 917
Situated 5kms out of Prince Albert on the Leeu-Gamka/Kruidfontein road. The Bothmas harvest between 50 and 80 tons of olives per annum. There are 3 000 trees, with Manzanilla and Mission varieties grown for processing table olives and Leccino for oil. Twenty percent of their production is retained for local sales and processing, while 80 percent is sold to major processors in Cape Town. Tours and tasting by prior arrangement.

Weltevrede Fig and Fruit Farm
Suzelle Koorts Tel: 023 5411 715
25km from Prince Albert on the Weltevrede Road. Weltevrede is a working farm and the main crop is Adam's figs which are sun-dried. Visit us during the harvesting and drying season - January 'til May and we can show you how the figs are picked, processed and packed. We also grow oranges and naartjies. Visitors are most welcome to view all the farm activities. Group lunches or dinners can be arranged.

What to see in the area

Gamkaskloof / Die Hel
A fascinating valley where a small, proud community lived in simple isolation for more than 100 years. Their harvest of dried fruit and wild honey were carried out by donkeys. Allow almost a full day in a sturdy vehicle to travel to the end of the valley and back. Take a picnic lunch.

Gamkapoort Dam
Only 42 km west of Prince Albert at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains lies this wide expanse of water in the middle of the karoo. The dam is home to hundreds of birds. Absorb the sound of silence, see buck and baboons, listen to the Fish Eagle’s call and watch birds fishing against the spectacular backdrop of the dinosaur-shaped mountains.

Meiringspoort
Marvel at towering rock faces as you crisscross the river running through this dramatic gorge. Walk up to the waterfall with it’s bottomless pool where the mermaid lives and see Herrie’s Stone - Langenhoven’s graffiti proclaimed a National Monument.

Swartberg Pass
Convict labour built the dry-packed stone walls that carry the road to 1 583 m above sea level. Spot the ruins of the hotel and the tiny tronk (prison). Karoo scrub gives way to fynbos - lookout for the soaring Black Eagles and the sure-footed Klipspringers.

Weltevrede Valley
Experience a sunset in the fruit farming valley when mountains are transformed from blue to the deepest purple and clouds are enhanced with golden orange and sultry pink hues. Drive back to town beneath our sparkling star-filled Karoo sky.


Information provided by www.patourism.co.za and www.princealbert.org.za

The Travel-Informed Team

You are welcome to send us comments or suggestions of what you would like us to cover on this page (), we always enjoy hearing from you.

South Africa
Adventure Travel in South Africa
Backpackers and Budget Travel in South Africa
Casinos in South Africa
Corporate Travel in South Africa
Cosmetic Surgery in South Africa
Cuisine in South Africa
Disabled Travel in South Africa
Family Holidays in South Africa
Golf in South Africa
Public Holidays
South Africa Distances in Kilometers (KM)
South Africa is an Eco Destination
Top To Do List in South Africa
Top Game Reserves in South Africa
Top Birding Spots in South Africa
Top Beaches in South Africa
Top Lighthouses in South Africa
Top Wine Routes in South Africa
Top Galleries and Museums in South Africa
Top Cultural, Political and Battlefield Sites in South Africa
Top Gardens in South Africa
Top Shopping in South Africa
Top Festivals in South Africa
Other Routes Not to Miss
South African Trails - Hiking, Mountain Biking, Canoeing, Horseback, 4 x 4
Top Road Trips
Transport in South Africa
Typical South African Phrases
Wildlife in South Africa - The Big 5
Malaria
Holidays on Budget in South Africa