About halfway between Cape Town and Upington in the Karoo, lies the town of Calvinia. Known for its majestic Hantamberge. In 1848, about 1400 hectares of land from the farm Ramskop were bought by field cornet Abraham van Wyk. It is here where Calvinia as we know it today would eventually be located. Calvinia was named after the Dutch reformed preacher Johannes Calvin and received municipal status in 1904. The area is also known as the “Hantam” because of its famous Hantamberge. The word Hantam is derived from the Khoisan word !Han=ami meaning “the mountain of the red eatable bulbs” Calvinia lies 986m above sea level and has an average annual rainfall of around 200mm. It is well known for its successful sheep farming. Here you can relax, enjoy the hospitality and authenticity of the karoo people and forget time for a moment. Where you can stop a stranger to ask for directions and even just to chat. Here you can allow yourself to feel part of the past while still enjoying the luxuries of modern technology. Calvinia is a town where the past and the present are intertwined. The town has a variety of old buildings, some that have been renovated after many years but still retain their original look and feel. The town is known for its large Red Post-box, the NG Church which is also a national monument, the Akkerendam Nature Reserve, a Jewish Synagogue now Museum, the Hantam Huis restaurant and guest house and the majestic…
About halfway between Cape Town and Upington in the Karoo, lies the town of Calvinia. Known for its majestic Hantamberge.
In 1848, about 1400 hectares of land from the farm Ramskop were bought by field cornet Abraham van Wyk. It is here where Calvinia as we know it today would eventually be located. Calvinia was named after the Dutch reformed preacher Johannes Calvin and received municipal status in 1904.
The area is also known as the “Hantam” because of its famous Hantamberge. The word Hantam is derived from the Khoisan word !Han=ami meaning “the mountain of the red eatable bulbs”
Calvinia lies 986m above sea level and has an average annual rainfall of around 200mm. It is well known for its successful sheep farming.
Here you can relax, enjoy the hospitality and authenticity of the karoo people and forget time for a moment. Where you can stop a stranger to ask for directions and even just to chat. Here you can allow yourself to feel part of the past while still enjoying the luxuries of modern technology.
Calvinia is a town where the past and the present are intertwined. The town has a variety of old buildings, some that have been renovated after many years but still retain their original look and feel.
The town is known for its large Red Post-box, the NG Church which is also a national monument, the Akkerendam Nature Reserve, a Jewish Synagogue now Museum, the Hantam Huis restaurant and guest house and the majestic Hantamberge and beautiful flowers during the blooming season as well as the annual meat festival.
Here you can easily forget about the challenges of everyday life. Although it is a humble little town with not much to offer in terms of worldly things, you will find yourself falling in love with its beauty, its slow rhythm and the warmth of its people.
They say you only cry twice when it comes to Calvinia, the day you arrive and the day you have to leave!
Neighbouring Towns
Distances below are the most popular roads, sometimes dirt and sometimes tar.