Since it’s foundation on 20 May 1904, De Aar has developed into the principal town of the Upper Karoo and is home to the Upper Karoo District Council, serving 16 other towns. De Aar is increasingly becoming the centre for supplying the whole country with the famous ‘Karoo’ meat, so highly prized for it’s unique flavour and quality. The town boasts a synoptic weather station, gathering climatic data and literally putting De Aar on the world map. De Aar is the third largest town in the Northern Cape and is renowned for it’s location on the main railway line between Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Namibia. Last but not least, mention should be made of the pleasant country atmosphere of De Aar. The motto of the Upper Karoo Region ‘Where tranquility is only surpassed by the hospitality’, certainly also applies to this lovely Karoo town.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Britstown 55 km, Cape Town 773 km, Hanover 60 km, Philipstown 60 km

Altitude: 1280 m above sea level

ATM’s

Absa, Boland, Fnb, Standard

Average Rainfall: Approximately 300 mm per year

Average Temperature

Summer 24°c; Winter 14°c; Lowest -10°c, Highest 40,7°c; Humidity 43 %

HISTORICAL VIEW

Deelfontein Cemetery

With graves dating from the Anglo Boer War (35 km from De Aar)

Garden of Remembrance for British Troops

1899 – 1902 in the old cemetery

Olive Schreiner House

Home of the famed South African English speaking author from 1907 to 1913. A national monument which today serves as a museum and restaurant.

San Rock Art

View on the farms Brandfontein and Nooitgedacht

St Paul’s Anglican Church

Opposite Post Office

Standard Bank Building

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Central Karoo Show – February

Tours

Bethesda Workshop, Hydra, Jonkheer Winery, Roller Mill, SA Venison, Synoptic Weather Station – Strictly by prior arrangement

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

Nature garden and trail, a wide variety of trails on nearby farms

Hunting

Available on game farms

Accommodation in and around De Aar