Hanover is a small town in the Northern Cape province, and was once part of the Graaff-Reinet district, known as Bo-Zeekoeirivier.
The growing farming community needed a community centre and the 8 656 ha farm Petrusvallei was bought for 33 333 Rixdollars (R5 000) in 1854. The former owner asked that the proposed town be called Hanover as his ancestors came from the German city.
Explore Hanover on a historical walk through the town and discover old furrows and historic buildings or visit the Cenotaph Memorial commemorating WW2. A must is also to visit the house of Olive Schreiner - the famous author lived here during the Anglo-Boer War.
Hanover Mountain Biking Trail
You can spend hours cranking along single and jeep-track ‘veldpaadjies’ on the Karoo Gariep conservancy. The Karoo Gariep MTB Trail is an experience for every level of mountain biker, with sand, rocks, plains, kopjes and creatures great and small as part of the package.
Saddle up from New Holme Guest Farm on a 30 km circular crank past Mieliefontein, or explore the conservancy plains along another 22 km circular ride (an extra 6 km sandy and rocky loop will test your legs and balance) en route to the Seekoei River to try and spot the Karoo’s last hippos. There is also the Bloudy Rock Technique Park, perfect for skilled crankers, plus never-ending rides along a network of good farm and district roads. Squeeze in your trip either before mid-summer, or after mid-winter for the best weather conditions.