An Inland Aqua Paradise
Approximately 200 km south of Bloemfontein, a tiny dorp slumbers upon the shores of a vast, cappuccino lake. Set amidst aloe-studded outcrops rising above grassland plains, you can easily fool yourself into believing that you’re looking out across a mini-Serengeti from your vantage point in Gariep Dam Village.
Endless vistas, 347 km2 of inland water, a unique sense of tranquillity (and a fantastic Forever Resort as a base) makes this a great spot for the whole family to come and chill out at. The dorp is pretty unique in its setting, allowing visitors to plug into a superb combo of leisure and pleasure.
Firstly, there is the lake and mighty Gariep River with a full gamut of aqua adventures, and in addition, you’ll find the Free State’s largest nature reserve, all set within a region rich in history. Gariep Dam Village is a mere ‘toddler’ compared to other settlements in South Africa, and was proclaimed as recently as the early 1960s, to temporarily house workers involved with the construction of the huge Gariep Dam that officially opened in 1972.
In the San language, the word Xhariep translates to ‘great water’, and it is no wonder that this massive man-made lake - at more than 100 km long and 24 km wide - has long been popular with anglers as well as boating and sailing enthusiasts. The nature reserves surrounding the lake boast extensive networks of dirt roads and trails to explore on foot or mountain bike, or by car.
Did you know: The Gariep Dam wall is 88 m high, has a crest length of 914 m and contains a staggering 1.73 million m3 of concrete. The dam is the largest storage reservoir in South Africa.
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