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Forty kilometres from
Oudtshoorn, at the foot of the Swartberg lies
the natural beauty of De Rust, a little
farm village with a peaceful environment. Like
Oudtshoorn, De Rust is known for its ostrich
farming and historical buildings. Its
drinking water from a mountain spring puts
expensive bottled water to shame, and it lies
snuggled in the mouth of Meiringspoort.
Everything about De Rust is true, true
hospitality, true Karoo environment and true
peace and quiet.
The main attraction of De
Rust is Meiringspoort with its incredible
passageway of various towering sandstone cliffs
that pierce the heart of the Swartberg
Mountain Range. The plant life on
the mountains is exceptional including species
such as mountain Fynbos, Renosterveld, Karoo-veld,
Spekboom, Aloes, Proteas as well as the
well-known Pelargonium zonale, the ancestor of
all Geraniums, which was first collected during
1689 in Meiringspoort.
A large variety of animals
are found in this area. Keep your eyes open for
klipspringer, grey rhebok, kudu, dassies,
baboons, caracal and Cape mountain leopard. Some
of the most primitive beetle species (Colophon
spp.) in the world can be found on the peaks of
Meiringspoort. An amazing collection of bird
life is also found here, including black-, fish-
and martial eagle, Cape sugarbird and pied
kingfisher.
Cellars in about town are Domein
Doornkraal, where the family believes that
people should have an easy, intimate
relationship with wine and Excelsior-Vlakteplaas
who is known for their dessert wine. Their
products could be obtained from the local liquor
store.
Still more activities and sight seeing ...
Waterfall; "Herrie se klip";
waterskiing; fishing; the Slave dams (1834); red
hills; Die Gat and Vredelust Farm stalls; NG
Church and church hall; Via Dolorosa; liquorice
factory; Anglo-Boer War graveyard; Swartberg
Circle Route; hiking; art.
To
find out more about De Rust and its surround,
places to stay, where to eat or to get the
contact details of the activities mentioned,
please contact the De Rust Tourism Bureau.
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