Middelburg, Eastern Cape (original) (raw)
Middelburg, Karoo Heartland
Lying in the middle of the Karoo, surrounded by mountains in an area recognised for its prolific and naturally occurring herbal plant life, San rock art and a scenic beauty beyond description, Middelburg is and isn�t like other Karoo towns.
In a way that is very much like other towns, Middelburg leaves its doors standing wide open and neighbours stroll in without an invitation. The skies are filled with stars at night, but, despite the fact that this is the middle of the Karoo, Middelburg differs from other towns because it has had so few water restrictions, due in large part to the surrounding waterfalls and streams that provide the town with its water.
The town probably gets its name from its geography - it not only lies halfway between Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein, but halfway between Johannesburg and Cape Town as well. As such it serves as a stopover for many a traveller en route to somewhere. The town is seeped in Anglo Boer War history and in close proximity to Market Square stands the Dutch Reformed Church, the Methodist Church and the town hall.
Just outside Middelburg lies the Karoo National Park, probably one of the main attractions to this part of the world and a wonderful example of how life has adapted to survive harsh weather conditions. Surrounded by the Nuweveld Mountains, the park is home to black rhino and buffalo, the Cape mountain zebra and over 20 breeding pairs of black eagle. There are some wonderful examples of succulent plants and small reptiles as well, and a bird hide that is worth an early morning and evening visit.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified reviewexcellent
We love Middelberg! It's so pretty and laid back, we really felt at home. Everywhere we looked was the beauty of the Karoo and we can't wait to get back.
Robyn (Mossel Bay)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Guest House
Art Deco Villa Guest House
Art Deco Villa offers accommodation in Middelburg. The villa is built in Art Deco style; this original Smid Street house was built by Tiny Post, ...
Self Catering
Witkrans Lodge Guest Farm
Situated just 12kms outside Middelburg, Witkrans Lodge is a working sheep farm, surrounded by mountains. The area is known for its abundant herba...
Guest House / Self Catering
Celtis Country Lodge & Restaurant
Celtis Country Lodge offers luxury, upmarket accommodation in the Karoo Heartland town of Middelburg. Celtis Country Lodge is the ideal stopover ...
Guest House
Aloes Guest House
Aloes is offers luxury accommodation with a spectacular Karoo view and hospitality. Aloes consists of eight stylishly furnished rooms that provid...
Self Catering
Karoo Ridge Mountain Lodge
Karoo Ridge Mountain Lodge is situated on Karoo Ridge Conservancy, 100km from Colesberg in the Northern Cape and 55km from Middelburg, Eastern Ca...
Guest House / Self Catering
Hillston Farm
Hillston Farm offers accommodation either in a quaint ironstone cottage, built in the late 1800's or in our remote country house. Meals are serve...
Self Catering
Karoo Ridge River Lodge
Karoo Ridge Lodge is situated on Karoo Ridge Conservancy, 55km from Middelburg in the Eastern Cape. The lodge is set in a tranquil valley with e...
Guest House
Sherborne Guesthouse
Sherborne Guesthouse is located off the N10 route and offers Middelburg accommodation set between numerous trees and hills. Come and enjoy your v...
Guest House / Self Catering
Desert Inn
Located in Middelburg in the Eastern Cape, Desert Inn is a luxurious accommodation establishment conveniently located a stone's throw away from t...
Self Catering
Erin Farmhouse & Cottages
Erin Farmhouse offers accommodation just off the N9 and 10km south of Middelburg is a place of stoeps, sunsets, stars and silence. Whether you ch...
Guest House
Dwarsvlei Guest House
Dwarsvlei Guest House offers accommodation in Middelburg on a unique Karoo farm with an enchanting homestead and fascinating history. If you are ...
Guest House / Bed & Breakfast
JC Accommodation
JC Accommodation offers bed and breakfast accommodation in Middelburg, in the Eastern Cape. Each room is furnished with a double bed and has a p...
Self Catering
Gordonville Cottage
Gordonville Cottage offers comfortable accommodation for four guests in Nieu-Bethesda, Karoo Heartland. This is an ideal spot for a peaceful brea...
Guest House
Karoo Ouberg Guest Lodge
Located in Middelburg, the Karoo Ouberg Guest Lodge offers accommodation in a tranquil setting. The establishment has free Wi-Fi, braai facilitie...
Self Catering
The Ramshed @ Rusoord
The Ramshed is a luxury self-catering cottage located on Rusoord, a private farm situated 7km from central Middelburg in the Eastern Cape. The fa...
Things to do in the area
Hiking Trails
Impofu Hiking Trail
The Mountain Zebra National Park is home to a number of hiking trails, including the 25 kilometre Impofu Hiking Trail. This trail takes three day...
Hiking Trails
Idwala Hiking Trail
The Idwala Hiking Trail is a fairly easy trail that starts at the rest camp of the beautiful Mountain Zebra National Park close to Middelburg in ...
Museums
PW Vorster Museum
The PW Vorster Museum documents the important role the van der Walt and Vorster families played in the history of Grootfontein. The museum is hou...
Museums
Great Fish River Museum
A monument dedicated to showcasing the history of the hard lives led by pioneer settlers in the area, between 1840 and 1900, you will find the Gr...
Noteworthy attractions
Natural Wonders
Valley Of Desolation
The Valley of Desolation is a geological phenomenon; a sheer cliff face, declared a national monument that lies within the Camdeboo National Park...
Natural Wonders
Camdeboo National Park
Formed hundreds of millions of years ago, the Karoo of South Africa is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Camdeboo National Park prov...
Golf Courses
Graaff-Reinet Golf Club
This 9 hole golf course with 18 tee-boxes is situated 5 km outside of the town of Graaff-Reinet on the Aberdeen Road. Facilities at Graaff-Reinet...
National Parks
Mountain Zebra National Park
The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys, and has become an entrancing preserve ...
Game Reserves
Tsolwana Game Reserve
Nestled against the northern slopes of the Winterberg Mountain range at the edge of the Karoo, Tsolwana Game Reserve lies between Cradock and Que...
Botanical Gardens
Obesa Cacti Nursery
In the heart of Graaf Reinet lies a totally unexpected surprise in the form of a nursery, which might just as well be called a garden as a wander...
Nature Reserves
Fonteinbos Nature Reserve
Deep within the Karoo Heartland, along the Kraai River banks, lies the 1 500 hectares of the Fonteinbos Nature Reserve. This reserve, just outsid...
Nature Reserves
Lawrence de Lange Nature Reserve
The Lawrence de Lange Nature Reserve is characterised by semi-arid vegetation. This is made up of scrubby bush, cycads, acacias, aloes and stretc...
Miscellaneous
Scar of Grootkloof
Mountain Zebra National Park lies in amongst the Bankberg Mountains and a series of undulating hills just outside Cradock in the Karoo. This area...
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