Eastern Cape Provincial Article - South African Vacations

JOUBERTINA
Joubertina lies between the Kouga and Baviaanskloof Mountain catchment
areas in the north and the Tsitsikamma Mountain Range in the south. In 1807,
the former Dutch Reformed Church Minister of Uniondale, Rev WA Joubert,
established a Dutch Reformed rural community on the farm Langkloof. One of
the conditions of the sale of the farm was that the consumption of any alcohol
on the site was prohibited. This condition is still observed today.
ADVENTURE AND SPORT
Hiking and mountain biking: The Joubertina area has some 30 demarcated
hiking and mountain bike trails. The trails range widely in difficulty and
duration, from a few hours to four days.
Hiking and mountaineering: More experienced mountain climbers enjoy the
challenge presented by Peak Formosa. This trail starts at Louterwater Estate.
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
Dutch Reformed Church: The church dates back to 1911 and was the first
building erected in Joubertina. Sandstone was used to build the church and
the beautiful yellowwood interior admirably complements the graceful building
style.
Kloof Hotel: The stylish Kloof Hotel once belonged to a descendant of Daniel
Kritzinger, the original owner of the farm on which the town was built.
The Lutheran Missionary Monument: The old church with its thatched roof, the
first church of the missionary settlement in Haarlem, is preserved here.
Miniature model cars: The Hotel Tavern boasts an interesting display of over a
thousand model cars.
KAREEDOUW
Kareedouw, a quiet town on the outskirts of the Tsitsikamma Forest, forms the
eastern entrance to the Langkloof fruit-growing area. The town was founded
as a Dutch Reformed Church rural community in 1905 and developed around
the timber industry that bloomed soon afterwards. It is believed that the town’s
name comes from the Khoi-Khoi word meaning “path of many Karee trees”.
Majestic mountain slopes, blanketed in flowering proteas and ericas, frame
the town. Today, Kareedouw is a farming and timber area where South
Africa’s national flower, the protea, is grown for export.
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