Eastern Cape Provincial Article - South African Vacations

Hunting: Hunting is allowed on some of the farms in the area.
Mountaineering: Most mountaineers cannot resist an attempt on Kompasberg,
at 2 502 m, the highest peak in the Great Karoo.
FAUNA AND FLORA
Self-drive Merino Tourism Route: Travel via Middelburg to Cradock, main
centre of the Karoo Midlands and in close proximity to the Mountain Zebra
National Park and onwards to Port Elizabeth, passing Cookhouse and the
historic hamlet of Middleton, just off the main road. An alternative route starts
in Middelburg, goes on to Cradock and Bedford, to Grahamstown, and Port
Alfred and the Sunshine Coast.
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
Historical Buildings: De Waal House is an excellent example of typical Karoo
architecture. The house belonged to former attorney, local peacekeeper and
mayor, Sir Nicholas de Waal. Other buildings of historic architectural value
include the Gereformeerde Kerk (Reformed Church), Karoo House and the
Ford Building.
Burger Monument: This monument was built in memory of local Anglo-Boer
War victims and is situated in the Mayor’s garden.
Chair Monument: During the Anglo-Boer War, Boer commandants were
executed at the spot where the Chair Monument was erected in Richmond
Road, just outside town.
Grootfontein College of Agriculture: The college is a highly-acclaimed
institution where students are trained as sheep farmers. The college features
many historical buildings on its campus, including a museum with historical,
military and agricultural exhibits.
Market Square: Visit Market Square, in the centre of town, and see the old
water pump that was presented to the town in 1887 by Queen Victoria to
commemorate her Golden Jubilee, as well as the Burger Monument and the
Wall of Remembrance.
Middelburg Cultural History Museum: Exhibits in the Middelburg Cultural
History Museum depict the early Karoo lifestyle. It also includes memorabilia
of famous residents of the town, such as playwright Athol Fugard.
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