Dec 12, 2016 | Articles
Comfort, Security and Convenience Important to Overnight Accommodation in Graaff-Reinet
If you happen to be planning an overnight stay in Graaff-Reinet, finding just the right accommodation is no less important than if you were visiting one of the country’s larger towns or cities. Small compared to the urban sprawl typical of a Johannesburg, Pretoria, or Cape Town, this fourth-oldest of the nation’s formal settlements is, nevertheless, an important destination for many people, and for a variety of differing reasons.
Its age alone has made this picturesque Karoo town a magnet for those who have a desire to learn more of the early history of South Africa and of its first settlers. These intrepid men and women, despite being faced by countless hardships and embroiled in one war after another, eventually prevailed to make this land their own and to establish the agriculture, commerce and industry that are the foundations of our modern society and crucial to the national economy.
Located in one of the more arid regions of the country, many of those who choose to find some overnight accommodation in Graaff-Reinet do so with a view to exploring the area that surrounds it, namely the Camdeboo National Park. The park covering an area of almost 200 km2 is home to a sufficient range of fascinating flora and fauna to justify a couple of out-of-town excursions.
It lies in an area that forms part of the widely-acclaimed Valley of Desolation. Characterised by its rows of towering dolerite columns that stand like sentinels keeping watch over those below, the view from their peaks across the valley and of the historic Karoo town beyond is guaranteed to take your breath away. Just a short drive from the town and accessible by car for just a small fee paid at the gate, this is definitely a spot that no visitor to this part of the Karoo ought to miss.
No visit to the Karoo would be complete without sampling its most famous product – the succulent lamb that compares with the very best in the world. Graaff-Reinet is exceptionally well supplied with high-quality restaurants that are often the first port of call for visitors to the town as soon as they have booked in at their chosen overnight accommodation.
Many of those who spend an evening in the town are there on business. Many of these will need to spend a portion of their free time preparing a sales presentation for the following day and thus an atmosphere of privacy and free of potential interruptions can be a great help. For this reason, businesspeople frequently prefer to cater for themselves rather than booking into a guest house or a full-service hotel where meals are served at set times and the comings and goings of other guests can be an unwanted distraction.
KarooRus is a self-catering establishment that has gone the extra mile, not just to provide an atmosphere of privacy, security, peace, and quiet but also to include a little luxury. Centrally located and conveniently close to most of the shops, restaurants, and museums in Graaff-Reinet, each of our six tastefully furnished, air-conditioned units has its own private entrance, secure parking, and contains everything necessary to ensure that our overnight accommodation fully meets the expectations of our guests.
Dec 12, 2016 | Articles
Some Pointers When Looking for Self-Catering Accommodation in Graaff-Reinet
The appeal of the Karoo is varied in nature and, once experienced, it can be hard to resist. Separated into two regions known as the Great and Small Karoo by the Swartberg Mountain Range, it is scattered with small towns of historical interest set among contrasting areas of semi-arid desert and the rich grasslands that provide the grazing that has made the region famous for its mutton and lamb. The Karoo has an energy and a lifestyle all of its own and one that seldom fails to surprise and to delight first-time visitors, as well as to encourage many of them to return on a regular basis.
The region is without any formal borders but is probably best defined by its common geological and climatic characteristics, in particular by its lower than average rainfall. It extends across all of the Cape provinces and into Bushmanland and the Kalahari beyond, even penetrating portions of the Free State and Highveld. Once seen as a dangerous and impenetrable barrier by those seeking to journey northwards from the Cape Colony, it is now traversed by the N1 highway with numerous secondary roads providing access to towns such as Matjiesfontein, Sutherland, and Graaff-Reinet.
The latter is a town that is steeped in history and is also surrounded by the Camdeboo National Park – both good reasons why visitors are constantly looking for accommodation nearby. A growing number of these are now choosing the self-catering option. While this may appear surprising, it is easily explained by the fact that the town boasts an exceptionally wide selection of excellent eateries at which to enjoy everything from a traditional local meal to haute cuisine. Under the circumstances, many choose to give the B&B or full service guest house, with their routine mealtimes a miss, and eat out or perhaps feast on a braai of succulent Karoo lamb chops.
For many travellers, the freedom to relax, undisturbed by other guests, as well as the assurance that they are not disturbing others, is an important consideration. This is yet another reason why so many visitors to Graaff-Reinet are now looking for self-catering accommodation, rather than a hotel or a guest house. While it may seem somewhat less important in a small-town environment, security is often a concern with visitors from cities such as Johannesburg where crime is far more common.
While some may be visiting the town to conduct a bit of business, others are there to explore its museums and immerse themselves in history of the Great Trek and Boer wars while still other simply wish to experience the flora and fauna of the surrounding nature reserve. Whatever its purpose may be, comfort and even a touch of luxury can contribute much to the success and enjoyment of any visit.
Combining all of these qualities and the added convenience of a central location within walking distance of most of the town’s museums, shops and restaurants, KarooRus has become a firm favourite among those who are looking for self-catering accommodation in Graaff-Reinet.
A choice from six stylishly furnished, air-conditioned units, each with secure, off-street parking, private entrances, en-suite bathrooms, fully-equipped kitchenettes and a flat-screen TV with DStv are all part of the surprisingly affordable deal at KarooRus.
