What’s New at Drostdy Hotel this Spring?
Winter has come and gone, and we’ve been busy putting together new experiences for you in time for spring! As the days get longer and our beloved jacarandas dust the roads in purple blossoms, there is an energy to this time of year that is contagious! It calls us all outside – to the pool, the garden and the parks. Luckily, Graaff-Reinet has plenty of nature to go around, and Drostdy Hotel is perfectly positioned to place you at the heart of all this season has to offer. Including the many treats that await you inside our historic walls. If your last visit to Drostdy Hotel feels like a while ago, this is your sign to book a return trip. A Tasting Experience Designed for the Little Ones We are excited to present our brand new Kids Tasting Experiences this season – and judging by their reactions so far, the little ones are excited too. Three themed tastings, each designed to make dining at Drostdy Hotel a proper event for younger guests. The Summer Tasting (R140) brings biscuits, milkshakes and lawn games. The Luxury Tasting (R160) steps it up with mini pizza, hot chocolate and face painting. The Karoo Tasting (R175) goes full Karoo with kudu strips, a Wagyu burger and a colouring book to take home with you. For families looking for things to do in Graaff-Reinet with children, this one is worth booking. Find out more here. Lunch by the Pool: The Poolside Menu at De Camdeboo Nothing says spring time like lunch by the pool. We are always updating our poolside offerings, and this season’s menu is made up of light, easy bites designed to tide you over between breakfast and dinner – without having to give up your lounger or put down your book. And then there are the cocktails. From spritzes to sangrias, order a round for yourself and your friends! Platters and refreshments are available outside too, which means a full, lazy afternoon by the pool is yours to enjoy. Something Unexpected: The Rocco Torro Agave Tasting Not many hotels can say that a world-class agave spirit is made right on their doorstep. We can. Rocco Torro is a 100% premium agave distillery based in Graaff-Reinet, and this spring we are hosting an in-hotel tasting experience. Three expressions – a Blanco, a Reposado aged in French Oak, and a Reposado aged in American Oak – each poured in order and all accompanied by a small food pairing plate to keep things interesting between sips. This is a proper, considered tasting, not a party trick. If you have ever wanted to understand what makes a great agave spirit, this is a great place to start! The De Camdeboo Wijnkamer: Now Online If you have ever left Drostdy Hotel wishing you had bought another bottle from the Wijnkamer, we have good news. The De Camdeboo Wijnkamer is now online at wine.drostdy.co.za, the same curated selection of South Africa’s finest wines, including bottles from the Rupert family estates, available to browse and order from wherever you are. For guests staying with us, the online shop is a natural extension of the in-person tasting experience. For everyone else, it is a direct line to one of the Karoo’s best-stocked wine collections without leaving the couch. Subscribe for 10% off your first order. Africology Spa: Treatments for Spring After a long winter, your skin deserves a little attention. Our onsite Africology Spa is built around South Africa’s leading natural skincare brand, using indigenous ingredients like Rooibos, Aloe Ferox, Marula and African Potato. Three treatments we think are particularly well-suited to spring: The Rose Quartz Facial (R1100 | 1 hour) is for anyone whose skin has had enough of winter. Rose quartz, Africology’s award-winning rose serum, and a bit of time is all it takes to get your glow back. The Full Body Polish (R650 | 45 minutes) is spring cleaning for your skin. A full body exfoliation that leaves you feeling lighter and brighter. A great starting point, or pair it with a massage and make an afternoon of it. The Signature Soul of the Karoo Experience (R1 690 | 90 minutes) is our favourite on the menu and the one most worth travelling for. A back exfoliation, heated aromatic mud, and a full body massage – named for this landscape, and true to it. All of the above can be paired with time spent in our Himalayan Salt Sauna, either before or after your treatment, as a complimentary extra. You do not need to be staying with us to book a treatment. Send an email to africology@drostdy.co.za or browse the full spa menu here. Plan Your Spring Visit If any of the above has caught your attention, our reservations team would be glad to help you put something together. Whether you are planning a full stay or just coming in for a tasting or a treatment, Graaff-Reinet in spring is worth the trip. Get in touch at reservations@drostdy.co.za or browse our rooms and packages here. We look forward to welcoming you to Graaff-Reinet this season! FAQs 1. What is there to do in Graaff-Reinet in spring? Graaff-Reinet comes into its own in spring. The jacarandas are in bloom, the days are warm, and the Camdeboo National Park is at its most active for game viewing. At Drostdy Hotel specifically, spring brings a poolside lunch menu, kids’ tasting experiences, a Rocco Torro agave tasting, Africology Spa treatments, and the De Camdeboo Wijnkamer’s online wine shop. The Valley of Desolation, the town’s museums and galleries, and the surrounding Karoo landscape are all on the doorstep. 2. Is Drostdy Hotel suitable for families with young children? Yes, very much so. The hotel has wide lawns, a pool, and room service. This spring, we have introduced three themed Kids Tasting Experiences — the Summer, Luxury and Karoo tastings — each designed to keep younger guests entertained with child-friendly food, drinks and activities including face painting, puzzle building and lawn games. The
Winter in the Karoo: Why Graaff-Reinet is Worth Visiting in the Colder Months
Winter brings a different pace to Graaff-Reinet. Crisp mornings, clear skies, fireside dining and cool days for exploring make it an ideal time to experience the Karoo and settle into the warmth of Drostdy Hotel. Graaff-Reinet doesn’t do winter by halves. Mornings are often frosty, overnight temperatures can dip below freezing, and the evening chill settles in quickly once the sun disappears behind the surrounding mountains. Daytime temperatures generally range between 3°C and 19°C. But the cooler weather brings with it some of the Karoo’s best conditions for exploring. Clear skies, quieter streets, comfortable daytime temperatures and long evenings indoors give winter its own distinct appeal. From exploring Camdeboo National Park to returning to a warm room, a good meal and a glass of wine, here are a few reasons to plan a Karoo winter escape. Settle into the Comfort of Drostdy Hotel A cold Karoo morning makes a warm hotel room all the more inviting. At Drostdy Hotel, wooden floors, luxury cotton linen, heritage-inspired interiors and considered local details create comfortable spaces to retreat to after a day outdoors. Throughout the hotel, winter lends itself to slowing down. Spend some time beside the fireplace with a glass of wine, enjoy a leisurely lunch at De Camdeboo Restaurant or settle in for dinner as the temperature drops outside. For those who prefer a slower start to the day, breakfast in your room is always an appealing option. Explore Graaff-Reinet in the Winter Sunshine Winter in the Karoo is known for crisp, clear days and expansive blue skies. With less of the intense heat experienced during the summer months, it is also an excellent time to explore Graaff-Reinet on foot. Drostdy Hotel’s central location places guests within easy reach of many of the town’s historic streets, museums, galleries, cafés and architectural landmarks. The winter landscape has a beauty of its own. Bare oak trees line historic streets, the surrounding plains stretch towards the mountains, and the clear seasonal light makes Graaff-Reinet particularly rewarding for photographers and artists. Experience the Karoo Night Sky The Karoo is renowned for its dark skies and low levels of light pollution, and dry winter conditions can provide excellent opportunities for stargazing. After dinner, take a moment to look up before heading back to your room. On a clear evening, the night sky reveals a remarkable number of stars, far removed from the glow of South Africa’s larger towns and cities. It is one of the simplest experiences of a Karoo stay, but often one of the most memorable. Visit Camdeboo National Park Winter is also a rewarding time to visit nearby Camdeboo National Park. With cooler daytime temperatures, wildlife can remain active for longer periods of the day than during the heat of summer. Visitors may encounter springbok, black wildebeest, kudu, Cape mountain zebra and a variety of other antelope and bird species. Located just a short drive from Drostdy Hotel, the park makes an easy addition to a winter itinerary. A visit to the Valley of Desolation is another essential Graaff-Reinet experience. Towering dolerite columns rise dramatically above the surrounding landscape, with clear winter conditions offering far-reaching views across the Karoo. Enjoy Seasonal Dining and Spa Experiences Winter naturally shifts the focus towards good food, good wine and unhurried evenings. At De Camdeboo Restaurant, seasonal dishes and an extensive South African wine selection provide a fitting end to a day spent exploring Graaff-Reinet and its surrounds. Guests can also make time for the Africology Spa, where treatments offer an opportunity to unwind during a winter stay. The Himalayan Salt Sauna is particularly welcome after a cold day outdoors, while seasonal spa offers provide additional ways to relax. For couples, the combination of quiet surroundings, fireside evenings, spa treatments and leisurely dinners makes winter particularly well suited to a weekend away. Plan Your Winter Stay in Graaff-Reinet Winter reveals a quieter side of Graaff-Reinet and the Karoo. Days are made for exploring historic streets and open landscapes, while evenings bring you back to warm interiors, generous meals and the comforts of Drostdy Hotel. Pack an extra jersey and make a few days of it. To book your winter stay, email reservations@drostdy.co.za or browse our current rooms, specials and packages. Guests who prefer to secure their dates immediately can also book directly through our online booking platform.
A Family Stay in Graaff-Reinet: What to Do, See and Taste
The Karoo has a way of getting under your skin. Wide skies, clean air, and a pace of life that reminds you what a holiday is supposed to feel like. Graaff-Reinet is the perfect place to experience it, and with family in tow, it only gets better. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: There is no place like the Karoo. What feels like an impossibly vast landscape will burrow its way into your heart and have you returning here, time after time, simply to breathe in the fresh air and fill your cup. Drostdy Hotel sits at the heart of one of South Africa’s most storied towns, and it makes an ideal base for a family getaway. The lawns are big (perfect for energetic little ones to run around on), the pool is inviting, and De Camdeboo Restaurant is the kind of place where children are always welcome at the table. Beyond the hotel gates, there is more to see and do in Graaff-Reinet than most visitors expect. Here is our guide to making the most of it. Start Where You Are Once you arrive, why rush to be somewhere else? One of the great pleasures of a family stay at Drostdy Hotel is that the property itself keeps everyone happy for a good stretch of the day. While the little ones run laps of the lawn, explore the safely enclosed property and splash in the pool (weather-dependent), the grown-ups can settle into breakfast at De Camdeboo Restaurant – a slow, unhurried affair with good coffee and a kitchen that does proper Karoo cooking to fuel your day of exploring. We have a continental selection with hot breakfast options, which means there is guaranteed to be something to suit even the fussiest palate. There’s plenty for younger guests to enjoy beyond breakfast, too. Drostdy’s themed kids’ tasting experiences pair child-friendly bites and drinks with activities such as face painting, puzzle building, colouring and lawn games. With Luxury, Karoo and Summer tastings to choose from, it’s a fun experience designed especially for little guests. When everyone is ready, the town is waiting just beyond the front gates, and most museums, shops and restaurants are within walking distance. Learn Something (Without It Feeling Like School) With little ones, every day is an opportunity to learn, and the endless question, “Why?” proves how eager our children are to understand the world around them. We therefore recommend visiting at least a few of our town’s many museums, where learning is tactile and interactive. Reinet House is a beautifully preserved Victorian homestead that gives a vivid sense of domestic life in the Karoo over a century ago. Take this chance to explain to your kids that there was a whole other way of living before iPhones, tablets or YouTube and watch their eyes widen in disbelief! Image Credit: www.graaffreinetmuseums.co.za For something more dramatic, the Karoo Origins Fossil Centre is a genuinely world-class exhibit, and it has dinosaurs. (Need we say more?) The fossils on display are among the finest examples of Permian-era prehistoric life in the southern hemisphere, and the fact that they were found right here in the Karoo makes them all the more extraordinary. This is one of the latest offerings in town and, being located just across the street from us, one of our top recommendations for families looking for something to do. They’ve gone the extra mile to make it colorful, interesting and awe-inspiring for little ones. There is also an onsite eatery where you can grab a snack afterwards. Get Outside Graaff-Reinet is almost entirely surrounded by Camdeboo National Park and for families, it offers the perfect way to get outdoors and stretch your legs. A game drive through the park is an excellent half-day activity. The park has no dangerous predators, but you can expect to see a variety of antelope like springbok, kudu, klipspringers, gemsbok, springbok, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, buffalo, and eland, as well as Cape mountain zebras and plenty of birdlife. The landscape itself is untouched, giving you and your family a great appreciation for what life here must have been like before the establishment of a town and modern amenities. The Valley of Desolation is one of the most spectacular things to do in Graaff-Reinet and the wider Karoo. A short drive from town brings you to the viewpoint, where enormous dolerite columns rise from the valley floor in a formation that looks less like South Africa and more like the set of a Sci-Fi film. Camdeboo National Park: Entry Information A Gate Registration and Indemnity Form is required on entry. Bring a valid ID or passport to complete it at the gate. Entry fees: SA Citizens and Residents: R52 per adult, R26 per child (2-12 years) | SADC Nationals (with valid passport) R104 per adult, R52 per child (2 -12 years) | International Citizens: R160 per adult, R80 per child (2-12 years) Getting there: The park surrounds Graaff-Reinet and is accessible via two main routes: the N9 (Lakeview/Office entrance) or the R63 (Valley of Desolation entrance), which is only 4km from our front gate. For something slower and closer to town, the Nqweba Dam is worth a visit, particularly if you’re a family of avid birders. Gate times: Monday to Thursday from 7 am to 5 pm and Fridays from 7 am to 3 pm. Closed on weekends and public holidays. If you’re unsure, it’s always safest to phone ahead on +27 (0)49 892 3453and make sure there is someone to let you in. And finally, don’t overlook the Obesa Cactus Nursery and Garden, a delightful oddity that houses one of the finest collections of succulents and cacti in the country, set in a garden that feels a bit prehistoric! (Why not buy a small succulent for the kids to nurture at home as a reminder of your trip?) Image Credit: Instagram | @gardens_walking_health Where To Eat De Camdeboo Restaurant at Drostdy Hotel is the natural anchor of any
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.
Art & Culture in Graaff-Reinet: Museums & Galleries
Whether or not you’re a fan of History as a subject, there’s no denying its presence in Graaff-Reinet, one of South Africa’s oldest towns. Here, history seems to hum beneath the surface in the form of ancient oaks, Cape Dutch buildings and the presence of no less than 220 national heritage sites! For guests of The Drostdy Hotel, exploring Graaff-Reinet’s museums and galleries is a way to step behind our town’s handsome façade and see it as a part of the Karoo’s wider story. Remember, these are not sterile display rooms of glass and labels, but living spaces that tell very human stories. From fossils to fine art, these are our favourite museums and galleries for you to explore, all within walking distance of The Drostdy Hotel, in Graaff-Reinet! The Graaff-Reinet Museum Complex Just a short stroll (400m) from the hotel lies a collection of five elegant heritage buildings collectively known as the Graaff-Reinet Museum Complex. Together, they hold centuries of memory; each room, gable, and creaking floorboard revealing a different facet of our town’s past. At the centre of it all is Reinet House, once the Dutch Reformed parsonage and home to generations of the Murray family. It’s a graceful Cape H-plan building, its whitewashed walls a testament to both endurance and reinvention. Here, you’ll find a treasure chest of period furniture, a withond distillery, a beautifully restored mill house with a working water wheel, and the Laubscher doll collection, a charming nod to the domestic artistry of the time. Don’t miss the ancient grapevine planted in 1870 – still growing in the courtyard! Across the road, Urquhart House opens a window into 19th-century life, from polished peach-pit floors to the everyday objects of the early settlers. Funny how ordinary objects become so significant and fascinating when displayed in this way… Meanwhile, the Old Library houses fascinating exhibitions that stretch far beyond local history, from the Mangaliso Robert Sobukwe Collection and Townley Johnson’s rock art displays to rotating exhibitions exploring themes like slavery, restitution, and renewable energy. Finally, the Military History Museum, built in the style of an old stable, captures Graaff-Reinet’s military past through the Anglo-Boer War and both World Wars. These exhibits remind visitors that even remote Karoo towns were not untouched by the larger issues of history. The Old Residency building is currently closed for restoration work. Together, these five buildings form one of the most compelling Graaff-Reinet museums collections, and a rare chance to experience South African history in a place where the architecture is part of the exhibit. Image Credit: www.graaffreinetmuseums.co.za Karoo Origins Fossil Centre From history to prehistory… Just outside of our hotel’s own historic complex lies Karoo Origins: The Fossil Centre, a place that stretches your imagination back hundreds of millions of years, and a recent addition to our town’s many attractions. Here, the world-famous Rubidge Fossil Collection takes centre stage, comprising over 850 fossil skulls, some belonging to species that predate the dinosaurs. The story told here is that the Karoo once teemed with life long before humans walked the earth, and it was this ancient landscape that witnessed the greatest extinction event of all time, 252 million years ago. The immersive diorama of life-sized prehistoric creatures and compelling video footage on the Permian extinction make this one of the most engaging Graaff-Reinet museums for both adults and children. You can even watch technicians carefully exposing fossils from rock, revealing the meticulous process behind every discovery. (Who else dreamed of being an archaeologist like Indiana Jones when they were small?) After exploring deep time, why not pause at the on-site café for coffee, wine, or a light lunch in their shaded courtyard? Spring is certainly the season for it. Guests booking our Heritage & Horizons Package enjoy complimentary entry to Karoo Origins, the perfect addition to a springtime stay. Imibala Gallery Back at The Drostdy Hotel, art finds a more contemporary expression in the Imibala Gallery, our on-site exhibition space. Imibala means “colours,” which perfectly captures the spirit of what we’re trying to create here: A vibrant, inclusive gallery that is alive with the talent of local South African artists. Exhibitions change regularly, offering guests a chance to encounter everything from fine art and sculpture to photography and mixed media pieces. More than just a gallery, Imibala is a platform for empowerment. It reflects our partnership with the Imibala Trust, which supports educational and social development initiatives for children in the region. Every artwork purchased here ripples outward, supporting both artist and community. Hester Rupert Art Museum A few steps along Church Street stands one of Graaff-Reinet’s most iconic cultural landmarks: The Hester Rupert Art Museum; something between a museum and a gallery. Housed in what was once a Dutch Reformed Mission Church built in 1821, this small, whitewashed building was saved from demolition in the 1960s thanks to the vision of Dr Anton Rupert, a son of Graaff-Reinet. Today, it’s home to a remarkable collection of 20th-century South African art: Over a hundred works donated by leading artists of the time in response to Rupert’s call to preserve the building. Works range from lyrical landscapes to those that engage with powerful social commentary. It’s a small collection, but it carries immense cultural weight; a legacy that we all get to enjoy together. Stay With Us At The Drostdy Hotel, we believe that exploring Graaff-Reinet’s art and culture is a way of deepening your stay and giving context to our hotel’s place in this town’s history. After a morning spent wandering through Reinet House or admiring local works at Imibala, return to the cool quiet of your suite, or linger over a glass of wine in our courtyard as the church bells echo across town. Graaff-Reinet has always been a place of preservation and imagination, and at The Drostdy, you’re perfectly placed to experience both. To stay with us or book the Heritage & Horizons Package, contact our reception desk at reservations@drostdy.co.za or fill out our online enquiry form.
Things To Do In Graaff-Reinet In Winter
Winter wanderings await in our quaint Karoo town… The Karoo settles into something slower in winter. The light changes; not golden, but clean and pale, smoke curls from chimneys in the mornings and evenings and window panes frost over in the night. It’s the kind of season that makes you want to linger longer in museums, talk to strangers in shops, and order something warm at every stop. Graaff-Reinet, cradled by the horseshoe bend of the Sundays River and watched over by stone spires and plains, lends itself to this slower winter pace. Here are a few things to do in Graaff-Reinet in winter, when the days are short and the evenings call for something slow-cooked! Settling In There’s a kind of quiet luxury in staying put, and winter gives you permission to do just that. At the Drostdy Hotel, you don’t have to chase the day – everything you need is already here. Sink into the warmth of a treatment at the Africology Spa, browse our shelves and walls in the library or art gallery or taste wine in the Wijnkamer, where rare bottles wait to be uncorked without ceremony. Our rooms, many set in restored heritage homes, are thick-walled and comforting; especially after a slow dinner at De Camdeboo Restaurant, where the food draws deeply from generations of perfected home cooking. Think: Slow-cooked lamb, crusty bread and rich malva – all the good things for cold weather! Now that we’ve gotten you settled in, let’s see what else awaits in town. Things To Do In Graaff-Reinet in Winter Visit Reinet House The Graaff-Reinet Museum – or Reinet House – is a fantastic spot to visit in winter. The wooden floors creak underfoot, and the smell of polish and dust reminds you of just how long this building has been around. It once served as a Dutch Reformed Church parsonage, but is now home to a number of museum exhibits. Walk through slowly. Read the plaques and descriptions. Let the silence do most of the work. Visit The Valley Of Desolation In winter, the stark light makes these famous cliffs and crags look even more majestic and imposing. You might find yourself alone at the viewpoint, watching the dolerite columns reach skyward from the Camdeboo plains. Bring a thermos. Sit a while. The best time is late afternoon when the light comes in sideways and long-legged shadows fall across the valley. There’s nothing quite like the stillness of high ground in the off-season. Step Into Art While most art scenes contain an element of glamour, Graaff-Reinet’s art scene is set apart by its sincerity. The Hester Rupert Art Museum is housed in one of the oldest church buildings in South Africa! Inside, you’ll find works by South African artists that speak of place, politics, and the small things in between. Elsewhere in town, local galleries offer ceramics, photography and crocheted blankets made with love. Walk without a plan. You’ll find something. Eat From The Pantry Winter belongs to slow food. Roosterkoek still warm from the flames, lamb stew heavy with rosemary, thick-cut bread, red wine that warms you from the inside out. Stop at one of the delis in town to buy staples for your pantry – jams, pies, rusks and biltong. And back at Drostdy Hotel, the menu leans into what the season does best: Comfort, depth, and flavour without fuss. A seat by the fireplace doesn’t hurt either… Marvel At The Milky Way There are fewer sounds at night in Graaff-Reinet than in the city. This makes it easier to hear the owls, or nothing at all. If you head just beyond the last streetlight, the stars take over. No telescope needed – just a scarf, a heavy duty winter jacket and a stargazing app. (If you want to identify constellations.) You could drive a little way outside of town for less light pollution if you prefer. Otherwise, our hotel’s garden will do just fine. Visit Graaff-Reinet’s New Fossil Centre Did you know that the Karoo region holds the longest and most complete fossil timeline on Earth, stretching back to long before the dinosaurs? You can learn more about prehistoric times at our town’s newest museum, Karoo Origins: The Fossil Centre, just across the road from Drostdy Hotel. Inside you’ll discover everything from the world-famous Rubidge Fossil Collection to the ancestors of tortoises and lizards and the earliest mammal-like reptiles that eventually gave rise to us! This is an interactive and eye-opening experience for all ages, offering a rare chance to connect with the deep history of this extraordinary landscape. For even more on winter stays in Graaff-Reinet, read one of our other blog posts titled Your Winter Stay At The Drostdy Hotel. Image Credit: Instagram | karoooriginstfc Stay With Us This Winter The historic Drostdy Hotel is stitched into the fabric of Graaff-Reinet. Our rooms have thick walls that hold the warmth – with cosy finishes that make staying in the main event! Whether you’ve come for museums, meals, or the silence of open space, you’ll find the best things to do in Graaff-Reinet close to your front door when you stay with us. Browse our stay options here and secure your dates using our online booking platform. Alternatively, for a more personal touch, feel free to email our friendly reservations team at reservations@drostdy.co.za, who would be more than happy to assist you with the booking process! We look forward to welcoming you and yours to Graaff-Reinet this winter.