A Guide to the Valley of Desolation
A short drive from Graaff-Reinet takes you into the heart of Camdeboo National Park, where you can enjoy the park’s unique plants, wildlife, and wide-open spaces. The Valley of Desolation is the highlight of any visit to Camdeboo National Park. The viewpoint is approximately 9 km from the park entrance, along a tarred road that winds steeply up to a small parking area at the top of a hill. From here, a short footpath leads to the viewpoint; it’s an easy walk, though not wheelchair friendly. At the summit, a platform marks the spot, but most visitors prefer to settle on the surrounding rocks to take in the dramatic dolerite columns and sweeping mountain views. The valley feels remote and peaceful, offering a chance to experience the rugged beauty of the Karoo in all its quiet majesty. Staying at the Drostdy Hotel offers the perfect blend of comfort, history, and proximity to the Valley of Desolation, making it an ideal base for exploring one of South Africa’s most iconic natural wonders. A Brief Geography Lesson The Valley of Desolation looks the way it does as a result of volcanic activity that shaped the Karoo’s landscape millions of years ago. When molten dolerite pushed up through the Earth’s crust into sedimentary rock layers, it cooled and contracted, forming the striking vertical columns we see today – though shrouded from view at the time. As time stretched on, the sedimentary rock eroded – due to wind, rain and other natural forces – revealing the columns of dolerite. Today, this valley sits within the Camdeboo National Park, perched along the edge of an escarpment that drops sharply into the surrounding plains. The park itself spans over 180 square kilometres, preserving our region’s unique ecosystems, from open plains to rugged escarpments. Visitors may encounter a variety of wildlife, including springbok, steenbok, and a host of bird species that make the park a haven for nature enthusiasts. Whether you are hiking, cycling, birdwatching, or simply soaking in the staggering scenes, this park offers a full Karoo experience beyond the valley itself and remains one of our favourite sites to recommend to guests. Why You Should Visit There are few places that inspire a genuine sense of awe, but the Valley of Desolation is one of them. Its jagged rock formations catch the light differently throughout the day, creating ever-changing shades and textures that appeal to photographers and casual visitors alike. The sense of isolation here is profound; the wind whistles through the columns and carries the quiet vastness of the Karoo, making every visit feel like stepping into another world. Hikers and nature lovers will appreciate the accessible trails that wind along the escarpment in the wider park, where encounters with local flora and fauna, from small antelope to rare bird species, enrich the experience. Even a short stop at a viewpoint can leave a lasting impression – case in point! Day Trips from The Drostdy Hotel Reaching the Valley of Desolation from Drostdy Hotel is an easy 15-minute drive to Camdeboo National Park (via the R63), and a further 15-minute drive once inside. The journey itself provides glimpses of the rolling Karoo landscape, dotted with historic farms, before reaching the park’s gate, where you’ll be required to fill in a short form and pay a nominal entry fee. To reach the viewpoint, take a look at the park map here, or ask for directions at the gate. Note: Reaching the viewpoint (Valley of Desolation) does require a short, 5-minute walk – suited to all fitness levels. One of the most memorable ways to experience the valley is with a picnic, which you can request at our front desk. With a blanket, some local treats (and perhaps a bottle of wine), you’re free to find a spot on one of the designated viewing areas and soak up the majesty of this special place. For those wishing to extend their exploration, a hike along the main trail allows for closer encounters with the dolerite columns and the deeper ravines, offering ever-changing perspectives and photo opportunities. The Best Times of Day to Visit For those seeking dramatic landscapes and exceptional photographic opportunities, timing your visit to the valley is key. Sunrise casts a soft glow across the dolerite columns, highlighting their rugged textures against the crisp morning light, while late afternoon and early evening, as the sun dips toward the horizon, bathes the valley in warm, golden hues that bring out the depth of the ravines and the subtle reds and purples of the surrounding terrain. Regardless of when you arrive, the changing angle of the sun transforms the valley into a dynamic and ever-changing spectacle. Take note of the park’s gate times: January & February: 6am – 8pm March: 6am – 7.30pm April: 6.30am – 7pm May: 7am – 6.30pm June: 7am – 6pm July & August: 7am – 6.30pm September: 6.30am – 7pm October: 6am – 7.30pm November: 6am – 8pm December: 6am – 8.30pm Book Your Stay at Drostdy Hotel Nestled in the heart of Graaff-Reinet, the Drostdy Hotel offers an elegant and luxurious retreat after a day exploring the Valley of Desolation. With our historic charm, central location and sparkling swimming pools – perfect for a refreshing post-outing dip – we’re the perfect base from which to discover the Karoo’s most remarkable landmarks. Browse our beautiful suites here and get in touch with our reservations team at reservations@drostdy.co.za to book your stay. Alternatively, make use of our online booking platform to secure your dates.
A Journey Through Time: The History Behind The Drostdy Hotel
Tucked away in the heart of the Karoo, Graaff-Reinet offers more than just scenic charm and open skies; it offers stories in a countryside where memories are like currency. At the centre of Graaff-Reinet’s historic quarter stands the Drostdy Hotel, a luxury Karoo retreat that is as much a time capsule as it is a sanctuary for your Karoo holiday! With its rich past and considered modern comforts, our hotel invites guests to explore the deeper narrative of our town through the lens of a cosy getaway. Here, the history of Graaff-Reinet and the history of the Drostdy are inseparable, each shaping and reflecting the other over more than two centuries. During your stay, we invite you to walk in the footsteps of those who came before us, while enjoying the best of the present with our Heritage & Horizons Package – a thoughtfully curated escape designed to honour the history and natural beauty of Graaff-Reinet. Exploring Our Town’s Many Layers To fully appreciate Graaff-Reinet’s history, one must step beyond the hotel’s elegant walls into the streets of South Africa’s fourth-oldest town, home to more than 200 heritage sites. A morning stroll reveals beautifully preserved Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture, with Reinet House (1812) offering insight into early colonial life. Yet, our town’s roots run far deeper than the 1700s. Long before European settlers arrived, the region was home to the Khoisan people, South Africa’s First Peoples. Their traditions, beliefs, and artistry are woven into the land itself, visible in ancient rock paintings and echoed in oral histories. A visit to the Bushman Heritage Museum in nearby Nieu Bethesda offers a moving introduction to the |Xam storytellers who tell the histories and legends of their people with passion and pride. Graaff-Reinet also occupies a proud place in our country’s political history. It is the birthplace of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, founder of the Pan Africanist Congress and a key figure in the anti-apartheid struggle. His life and work serve as a reminder that history is not just about buildings and dates, but mostly about the people whose courage shapes our present-day lives. WHAT’S IN A NAME? Graaff-Reinet, founded in 1786, takes its name from Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff, then Governor of the Cape Colony, and his wife, Cornelia Reinet. The combination honoured both the colonial administrator and his spouse, reflecting a common practice of the era to link place names with prominent figures. Art, Cuisine & Culture Graaff-Reinet may be steeped in history, but it is also alive with creativity. The Drostdy Hotel’s own Imibala Gallery showcases thought-provoking works by local artists, while galleries across town draw inspiration from the Karoo’s textured landscapes and stories. No visit would be complete without a taste of the region’s culinary heritage. At our hotel’s De Camdeboo Restaurant, guests can savour traditional Karoo flavours like slow-cooked lamb, braised springbok shanks, root vegetables, and baked treats fresh from the oven. These tried and true recipes embody the region’s ethos surrounding food: Simple, honest and deeply nourishing. (In our case, we like to add, ‘Prepared with love.’) Behind The Drostdy Hotel Zooming into our beautiful hotel’s own story, it begins more than 200 years ago in 1804, when the original Drostdy building, designed by renowned architect Louis Thibault, was built as the official residence of the town’s local magistrate. It stood at the heart of Graaff-Reinet, already an important frontier settlement of the Cape Colony. Between 1819 and 1847, the Drostdy served as the magistrate’s residence. Within its walls, notable figures like Lord Charles Somerset and Sir Rufane Donkin discussed matters and made decisions that rippled across the countryside. As Graaff-Reinet expanded with churches, schools, and market squares, the Drostdy evolved alongside it, mirroring the town’s shifting fortunes. In 1878, the building took on a new role as Kromm’s Drostdy Hotel, welcoming travellers who arrived by ox-wagon, carriage, and, later, railway. Around the turn of the century, it embraced an architectural transformation, adopting the elegant Victorian façade visitors see today. Through droughts, celebrations, and times of change, the hotel remained a fixture in the life of the Graaff-Reinet community; a gathering place where locals and visitors shared news, meals and moments of frivolity. By 1975, our hotel’s historical significance was formally recognised when Historical Homes of South Africa undertook a careful restoration of the building, safeguarding both its beauty and its place in Graaff-Reinet’s history. In 2012, a new chapter began under the ownership of the South African College for Tourism (SACT), whose learnership programme empowers young women from rural communities with world-class hospitality training. That brings us to today, where the Drostdy Hotel stands as a beacon of history, opportunity, and timeless Karoo charm, on top of its 5-star luxury status. What You Can Expect From The Heritage & Horizons Package The Drostdy Hotel’s Heritage & Horizons Package offers guests a way to connect with both our hotel and Graaff-Reinet’s history, all while enjoying the comfort of a luxury stay. It includes: Entrance for 2 into Graaff-Reinet’s historic museum Access to the Valley of Desolation in Camdeboo National Park A specially curated picnic box and a bottle of wine Wine tasting for 2 in the Wjinkamer Whether you are a history enthusiast, a nature-lover, or simply someone seeking serene surroundings, this experience blends culture, cuisine, and the Karoo’s vast natural beauty into an unforgettable journey. Stay With Us The Drostdy Hotel is more than luxury Karoo accommodation, it is a living link between past and present; a place where the story of Graaff-Reinet continues to unfold. In this season of renewal, allow its walls, walkways, and warm hospitality to carry you through time. To book the Heritage & Horizons Package, contact our reception desk at reservations@drostdy.co.za or fill out our online enquiry form.