Valley Of Desolation, Eastern Cape | Valley of Desolation is a geological phenomenon; a sheer cliff face and national monument

Valley Of Desolation

Eastern Cape, South Africa

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Eastern Cape

VALLEY OF DESOLATION
The Valley of Desolationspacer.gif (43 bytes)Valley Of Desolation, Eastern Cape: The Valley of Desolation is a geological phenomenon; a sheer cliff face, declared a national monument that lies within the Camdeboo National Park - a unique Karoo landscape and ecosystem that surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinett, creating a type of oasis in the midst of the aridness of the Karoo.

The vertical cliffs and columns of dolerite that teeter precariously 120 metres above the valley floor are breathtaking. This unusual feature is the product of volcanic and erosive forces that have taken 100 million years to form. They stand sentry over a valley - huge isolated hobgoblins of nature, forcing those who view them to suspend time, if only for a moment, to contemplate the force and beauty of nature.

You’re only 14 kilometres outside of Graaff-Reinet and yet the diversity of the fauna and flora is incredible and attracts 220 species of bird, 336 plants and 43 types of mammal. The Valley of Desolation invites one to stay awhile or to traverse its features and there are walking trails that range from an hour to overnight hikes, as well as picnic sites for those who simply want to gawp at the majestic precipices.

Graaff-Reinet is without doubt worth a visit just for the charmingly restored Karoo-style homes and the historical buildings; and the little hamlet of Nieu-Bethesda lures even the most cynical tourist to the Owl House - the tours never fail to impress and the camel yard to enchant.
Overnight at Graaff-Reinet accommodation or Nieu-Bethesda accommodation.
Nieu-Bethesda: The fame of this tiny village rests on the work of Helen Martins, who created an eccentric artistic genre which was largely unrecognised during her lifetime. The Owl House was the setting for Athol Fugard's play "The Road to Mecca." Visitors from all over travel to Nieu-Bethesda to view .... more » about Nieu-Bethesda

CAMDEBOO NATIONAL PARK
Camdeboo Park: Formed hundreds of millions of years ago, the Karoo of South Africa is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Camdeboo National Park provides the visitor with insights into the unique landscape and ecosystem of the Karoo as well as splendid scenic beauty. An ... more » Camdeboo National Park
Graaff-Reinet: The oldest town in the Eastern Cape and the fourth oldest in South Africa and certainly one of the most atmospheric, Graaff Reinet lies enclosed by a bend in the Sundays River, overshadowed by the Sneeuberg Mountain within the Camdeboo Park. With 200 buildings .... more » about Graaff-Reinet

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Valley Of Desolation, Eastern Cape | Valley of Desolation is a geological phenomenon; a sheer cliff face and national monument

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