If you’ve only got a limited amount of time in Graaff-Reinet, making every moment of your stay count is essential.
With that, we don’t mean that you should rush from place to place, but rather, that a little planning goes a long way!
Below you’ll find our suggested itinerary of things to do in Graaff-Reinet if you only have 48 hours to work with, from discovering the sites to enjoying plenty of down time, Karoo-style.
Your 2-Day Plan: Things To Do In Graaff-Reinet
Arrival Day
2PM: Check-In & Settle
You’ve long been anticipating a relaxing getaway to the Karoo, where life’s gentle pace acts as a tonic to the city’s buzz, and the day has finally arrived.
When driving into Graaff-Reinet, take note of the historic Dutch Reformed Church – you can’t miss it – the crowning jewel of the 220 listed heritage sites in our town.
One of these sites is The Drostdy Hotel & Spa itself – your destination. The original structure was built in 1804, which means that you will be staying in a little piece of this region’s living history.
After checking in, you will be shown your room, or, as we like to think of it, your home away from home for the next two nights. Here you will discover that your every need and comfort is catered to, from king-sized beds and coffee machines to television and complimentary WiFi.
All of our stay options are luxurious, spacious and tastefully decorated with nods to our Cape Dutch heritage and Karoo setting.
Settle into your room and make the space your own!
Once settled, it’s time for refreshments.
Walk over to our on-site restaurant, De Camdeboo, and sit down to a cup of coffee on the shady verandah overlooking the lawns. (If it’s winter, you might prefer to sit inside by the fire.)
Afternoon: Sightseeing & Lunch
Before dinner, we’d recommend some sightseeing to work up an appetite.
Having recently arrived, your first day is a great time to orientate yourself in town and the best way to do this is on foot. Graaff-Reinet is infinitely walkable and there are plenty of sights to see, like those heritage sites we mentioned above!
For ideas on places to visit, read our blog post titled 10 Unique Activities in Graaff-Reinet.
When you start to feel peckish, there are plenty of coffee shops and delis to eat at. Two of our favourites include Hello You and Our Yard.
Evening: Stoepsit & Dinner
After a busy afternoon of sightseeing and exploring the quaint streets of Graaff-Reinet, it’s time to engage in the age-old Karoo tradition of stoep-sitting (sitting on your porch).
Select a bottle of wine and enjoy a glass on the patio outside your bedroom as dusk falls.
This is your chance to read, catch up with your travelling party or simply enjoy watching the world go by.
When you’re ready, join us at De Camdeboo for a delicious Karoo-inspired feast with all the traditional favourites you’ve come to expect, like lamb and malva pudding, along with a few contemporary dishes – all cooked to perfection!
The candle-lit ambience and hearty meal will set you up for a night of deep sleep in the quiet heart of the Karoo, ready to tackle the next morning feeling utterly rejuvenated.
Second Day
Morning: Sunrise With A View
Early mornings might not usually be your scene, especially when on holiday, but if you only have 48 hours in Graaff-Reinet, you cannot let the opportunity to witness the sun rise over the Valley of Desolation pass you by.
After drinking your morning coffee, head for Camdeboo National Park’s main gate, about 5 km away from the hotel. After entering, make your way to the highest hill (simply ask the guard for directions) and walk the short distance to the viewpoint.
From here, the towering dolerite cliffs (120 m) are spectacular to behold as the sun illuminates them in vivid morning light.
(It’s more than enough to justify the early wake-up!)
Note: If you’d prefer to visit this viewing point at sunset (an equally beautiful option), feel free to ask our front office to request that a picnic basket be made up for you, filled with delicious pre-dinner snacks and your choice of wine from the wine shop.
Mid-Morning: Explore Some More
After a wholesome breakfast at the hotel, the day is yours!
If you feel like seeing more of the Karoo, why not take a short trip (+- 50km) to the neighbouring town of Nieu-Bethesda for a few hours? Here you’ll find the famous Owl House and Kitching Fossil Exploration Centre. You can also take a donkey car ride and shop for Karoo wares at local shops.
Alternatively, should you wish to stay in Graaff-Reinet, the rest of the morning could be spent trawling delis for items to fill up your pantry shelves at home. There are many homemade baked goods, preserves, rusks and even liqueurs to sample. Stop by the Afrikanis Rum Tasting Room to purchase a special spirit for your next big occasion.
Afternoon: R&R
It’s your final afternoon at The Drostdy Hotel & Spa and you’ll likely want to rest up before returning to the “real world” in the morning.
We’d recommend doing this by booking a treatment at the Africology Spa, where our extensive menu, incorporating natural and eco-friendly products that originate on the African continent, is certain to have a treatment – grounded in the Karoo’s ancient healing spirit – that will leave you feeling pampered and refreshed.
To get the most out of your spa treatment, arrive 30 minutes early for a complimentary session in our Himalayan Salt Sauna.
Afterwards, you’ll likely want to return to your room for a nap.
Evening: Art & Wine
End your Karoo getaway with a wonderful night of art and wine!
In the afternoon, we’d highly recommend spending some time at De Camdeboo Wjinkamer, our very own wine shop where we stock some of the finest South African wines. We are happy to do private tastings for guests upon request and offer some excellent cellar door prices. (We lock our wine shop in the evenings, so kindly take note of trading hours before planning your visit.)
Adjoining the wine shop is Imibala Art Gallery, where you might discover a beautiful artwork to take home with you.
Stay With Us
If you’re travelling to Graaff-Reinet in the coming weeks and are looking for the ideal 48-hour itinerary, we hope the above proves useful!
Remember, in the Karoo, there is no frantic rush to be anywhere but in the moment, and there’s nowhere better to embrace the present moment than at The Drostdy Hotel & Spa.
Browse our suites and get in touch with our friendly reservations team at reservations@drostdy.co.za to book your escape.
Alternatively, secure your own dates by making use of our online booking platform.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Graaff-Reinet!