OFFERINGS

The Springbok Route, is famous for the history & heritage that goes back to the 19^th century during the Anglo-Boer War. The Route is also famous for adventure tourism, which includes breath-taking 4×4 and quadbike trails, water sport, gliding, horse riding trails and leisure tourism. The route runs along Jacobsdal, Koffiefontein, Jagersfontein, Phillipolis, Bethulie and Gariep Dam that was declared as municipality in 1994.

History & Heritage

Even though the Anglo-Boer might have occurred some centuries ago, the memories are still alive in most towns along the Springbok Route. Nations across the globe still pay homage to their fallen forefathers from previous generations. Today the war has left trails of the history and heritage sites such as museums and war memorials. Some of the sites are:

Jacobsdal:

• Magersfontein Battlefiled and Museum.

Koffiefontein

• World War II murals

Fauresmith

• Burghers Monument
• Graves of British Soldiers

Jagersfontein

• Moth Museum – its memorabilia from various wars including Anglo-Boer War, World War I and II and Namibian Boarder War.

Philippolis

• Van der Post Memorial Garden
• Old Jail from the Anglo-Boer War
• Adam Kok House– Home of the world Griqua Leader.
• Transgariep Museum – exhibits the history of the area.
• The pulpit of the Dutch Reformed Church that was crafted from the Wild Olive wood, today the church stands a museum.
• Most of the building in the towns have been declared as national museum making the town a must see heritage town.

Bethulie

• Shell collection – laid down for the 366 people who died due to measles during the Anglo-Boer War.

Adventure Tourism

The Springbok has a mixture of two landscape, the flat area and the hillside area near Gariep Dam and Bethulie – making the area a perfect local for 4×4 and quad trails. The flat area is usually used by aviation community for gliding and flying competitions. The Gariep Dam, which is one of the largest man made dam in the country is normally a perfect venue for water sports. Some of the adventure hot spots are:

Gariep Dam

• 4×4 and quadbike trails
• Horse Riding
• Mountain Bike trails
• 4×4 tractor rides
• Go-karts
• Canoe trips

Leisure

The tranquillity of the area makes it a perfect retreat for the family and couples alike. The flat fields and the open skies are perfect to those night star gazing. The Gariep Resort & Nature Reserve, Tussen-die-Riviere Resort & Nature Reserve, Forever Resort and De Stilj Hotel are some of accommodation that could accommodate groups. On the other side there are varies accommodation types for different clientele ranging from 4 Star B&B to Backpackers. The area is also huge in safari and hunting making it one of the largest area for game hunting during peak hunting season. Some of the leisure activities are:

• Safari
• Game Hunting
• Star Gazing
• Fishing
• Boat cruises
• Sailing
• Wine tasting
• Bird Watching
• Dam Wall tours

The area has an eco-tourism centre, known as Gariep Fish Hatchery – it is an opportunity to see how yellow fish, carp and barbell are hatched.

Events

Quenna                                                                  – February

Phillippolis Witblitz                                             – April

Fauresmith Endurance                                       – July

Gariep International Gliding Championship           – December