NORTHERN CAPE ACCOMMODATION BRITSTOWN
BRITSTOWN
Britstown is a small farming town situated in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. The town is named after Hans Brits who settled here after he accompanied David Livingstone on a venture into the interior. Hans Brits then settled on a farm he named Gemsbokfontein, which is where Britstown now stands. Soon after the discovery of diamonds at Hopetown and Kimberley, Brits realised that he and his neighbours could earn good money serving the growing traffic along the Diamond Way. So Brits arranged for a town to be laid out on a portion of his farm. As a tribute to him it was named Britstown.
In 1877 a group of men, headed by T P Theron, purchased a section of Hans Brits's farm to establish a community centre with a church. A private irrigation scheme was started by the Smartt Syndicate in 1885 and liquidated in 1954. The concern built two dams, planted lucerne and wheat. They grazed karakul sheep and Clydesdale horses. In 1961, floods destroyed the Smartt Irrigation Board Dam and it was rebuilt by the government in 1964.
The first inhabitants of this area were the /Xam (Bushmen). They were self-sufficient people who depended entirely on the land for their needs. The plains teemed with game, so they neither sowed nor kept livestock. Indigenous plants provided a variety of edible bulbs and bark for further nutritional and medicinal requirements.
A LEGACY OF ART:
With their stamina, tenacity and endurance the /Xam moved widely through the Karoo. At places where they sought shelter and rest from their wanderings, the /Xam left an artistic wealth of rock engravings, telling us what this world was like when it was theirs. The Karoo is renowned for its wealth of Stone Age remains spanning at least half a million years of human history. Rock art makes up a distinctly visible element of this legacy, and predominantly dates from the last 10 000 years. South Africa's heritage of Stone Age Art, among the richest in the world, is found in the form of engravings and paintings. Both forms are found in the Great Karoo. Engravings predominate, but finger paintings are often found in caves, shelters and overhangs.
Those interested in this art form can visit several interesting sites in the Britstown area. The nearest is 10 km from town on the farm Brakwater. Other sites are on the farms Keurfontein, Maritzdam and Omdraaivlei. All are considered national heritage sites and permission is required to visit. The drawings are of eland, ostriches and elephant. Visitors who want to make a Karoo outing of this visit can make arrangements through any of the accommodation establishments. Jeep tours to the different sites can also be arranged.
Britstown lies in the heart of the Central Karoo and is located exactly halfway between Cape Town (via Three Sisters) and Johannesburg (via Kimberley) on the N12 national road, and thus is about 700km from both cities. The N10 national road crosses the N12 just 500m outside the town. De Aar is the closest big town and lies 50km East from Britstown on the N12.
ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS:
Britstown Museum
Raath Str. Originally the Holy Trinity Church.
Dutch Reformed Church
Church Str. Built in 1877.
Hiking
Experience the unique Karoo landscape on several hiking trails on surrounding farms. Arrangements by Transkaroo Country Lodge.
Khoisan Rock Art
Interesting archeological sites on farms Brakwater, Keurfontein, Maritzdam and Omdraaivlei are considered important heritage sites. Permission required to visit. Contact local tourist information for details.
Stargazing
Excursions to marvel at the sparkling Karoo night sky can be arranged by Transkaroo Country Lodge.
TOURIST INFORMATION:
Information Office, Market Street, Britstown
Tel 053 762 0027 or
Emthanjeni Municipality
Northern Cape Spas, Northern Cape Attractions, Northern Cape Province, Northern Cape Accommodation, Northern Cape Guest Houses, Northern Cape Resorts, Northern Cape
ACCOMMODATION IN BRITSTOWN
Accommodation in Britstown
NORTHERN CAPE ACCOMMODATION TOWNS & CITIES
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TRANSKAROO COUNTRY LODGE - BRITSTOWN
Nestled deep in the heart of the Karoo, conveniently located along many of South Africa's national roads, lies an oasis of relaxation and tranquility. The Transkaroo Country Lodge welcomes you to the Karoo and would take immense pleasure in hosting you, whether it be a stop-over en-route to a major city or just a peaceful holiday you require.
