THINGS TO DO
A fun game viewing drive next to the lake.
Gariepdam and the vicinity offers a wide variety of outdoor leisure activities for the whole family. This is one sport flying venue where mum and the kids will not get bored whilst dad is flying around the sky all day.
Gariep Dam airfield neighbours hardly noticed the tow plane.
Gariep Dam is South Africa's largest lake. The distance from the dam wall to the start is over 80km. It is surrounded almost completely by two large nature reserves, stocked with wild life. By incorporating a third existing nature reserve upstream, a large and exciting development is underway, to be known as the Trans Gariep Ecotourism project.
Here is just a small sample of activities at Gariep and surroundings:
Gliding in summer, boating, sailing, swimming, cycling, river rafting, lake cruises, canoe trips, fishing, horse riding, tours through stud farms, dam wall and fish hatchery, 4 game reserves, golf, tennis, bowls, squash, miniature golf, hunting, trips to old diamond mining towns, historical sites, warm mineral baths, etc.
Horse riding at Orange Valley Guest Farm.
Mighty Orange River offers canoeing and fishing.
Charter flights to Pletenberg Bay, Wilderness and Cape Town can also be arranged by Gariep Gliding Centre.
In Gariepdam one can obtain most basic supplies. Green Doors Supermarket and Gariep Mini-mark up-town carry most requirements, but sometimes meat may not be available at the last minute. Fresh bread is baked daily, except on holidays and Sundays. There is a liquor store at the café alongside the garage.
At Colesberg, 30 minutes south on the N1, there are many more shops and suppliers. Several banks and ATMs can also be found here.
In Colesberg and Gariepdam there are a variety of cafes, tea gardens, pubs and restaurants.
The Gariep Dam Tourism Forum organises each year a Water Festival at the dam during the first weekend in February, a weekend full of fun, entertainment and water sports.
Activities at the Festival:
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Miss Water Festival
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Cultural activities
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Half marathon run
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Half marathon swim
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Regatta
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Raft race
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Raft "war"
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Flea market, beer garden and food stalls
Wheels Pub and Grill
Aventura Restaurant
Gariep Hotel Restaurant
Orange River Game & Guest Farm
Boschrand Guest Farm
Orange Valley Guest Farm
Midwaters Lodge
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