KENHARDT | Northern Cape South Africa

CITIES, TOWNS AND NEIGHBOURHOODS

On 27 December 1868, special magistrate Maximillian Jackson, with a police contingent, was sent to act as a bulwark against the Koranna, whose anti-colonial resistance had erupted into open conflict. Jackson arrived in Kenhardt and set up camp under a giant camelthorn tree.

For a long time the most remote settlement in the northwestern Cape, the town developed from under this tree, becoming a municipality in 1909. The Hartbees River, with its many sweet thorn trees, provides a green belt irrigated by the Rooiberg Dam.

The town is at the heart of the Dorper sheep-farming area. There is a Quiver Tree (Kokerboom) forest within easy driving distance. Tours will take you to pans and outlying farms where you can view San artwork and enjoy farm hospitality. 4×4 routes are available near Kenhardt.

Town information

Municipality Park Street Kenhardt 8900. Tel 054 651 6500 Fax 054 651 6501 Bushmanland Tours Tel 054 651 0022

Activities

Giant Camelthorn Tree

About 500-600 years old, it is the tree under which Magistrate Jackson set up his camp.

Old Library Building

Built in 1897, it was used until 1977 and declared a national monument in 1978.

Quiver Tree Forest and Hiking Trail

About 8km south of Kenhardt on the main route to Cape Town. The forest comprises 4 000-5 000 kokerbome. The Kokerboom Hiking Trail leads through the forest.

San Trail

An exclusive guided tour through several hills where San engravings occur, making you walk the trail of the San.

Verneukpan

A vast dry pan on which Sir Malcolm Campbell tried, in Bluebird 1, to set a new world land-speed record in 1929.

ACCOMMODATION

DE OUDE HERBERG COUNTRY LODGE

Affordable accommodation.
Special rates for families, pensioners and groups.

ELMA'S ACCOMMODATION KENHARDT

Elma’s accommodation consists of old characterful houses being restored during the past 12 years.