Aberdeen, Karoo Heartland
Lying in amidst the Camdeboo Mountains (don't you just love the name Camdeboo - it comes from a Khoi word that means 'green hollow', which should give you an indication of the surrounds), Aberdeen is a small town just south west of the N1 where it leaves the Karoo National Park, or alternatively, part way between Middelburg and the Baviaanskloof on the N9.
Aberdeen is also only two hours' drive from the Addo Elephant National Park, so you are in good company when stopping here.
The town is filled with pretty examples of Victorian architecture, and the steepled Dutch Reformed church with its 50 metre tower (the highest in South Africa) alone is worth a drive through the town for. Not surprisingly it is an Architectural Conservation Town because of the gorgeous buildings.
The steeple leans 18 inches 'out of true' and is known as the 'Leaning Tower of Aberdeen' as a consequence - the tiles on the roof weigh it down. A number of artists call the village 'home', unsurprisingly, as there is something about it that makes one want to stay.
Not far from Aberdeen, part way in fact to Graaff-Reinet, lies the Camdeboo National Park. Virtually 20 000 hectares of gorgeous foothills of the Sneeuberg that includes a section of low lying plains and the famed dolerites that are formed from jointed pillars. This part of the park is known as the Valley of Desolation - a process of soil erosion has left these dolerite pillars that stand as high as 120 metres.
It's no surprise that the Valley is a National Monument of both geological and scenic importance. You will visit to hike, walk, view game or simply drink in the views.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
Very nice holiday in Aberdeen. It was relaxing and the buildings were interesting. The whole town is a bit old-fashioned, but that's what we liked about it!
zimba (Molteno)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
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Aberdeen Self-Catering
At Aberdeen Self-Catering guests can expect an affordable, spacious and a relaxing farm stay stop over. We offer typical Karoo cottages with priv...
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Aberdeen Glamping Tent
Aberdeen Glamping Tent is an air-conditioned, luxury canvas tent furnished with a double bed and has a private bathroom fitted with a shower, bas...
Things to do in the area
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Visit The Kalkkop Crater
Visit the crater that was created when a 20 meter wide meteorite crashed into earth over 250,000 years ago. Close to Kendrew, roughly 50 kilomete...
Noteworthy attractions
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Valley Of Desolation
The Valley of Desolation is a geological phenomenon; a sheer cliff face, declared a national monument that lies within the Camdeboo National Park...
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Camdeboo National 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 prov...
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Graaff-Reinet Golf Club
This 9 hole golf course with 18 tee-boxes is situated 5 km outside of the town of Graaff-Reinet on the Aberdeen Road. Facilities at Graaff-Reinet...
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Mountain Zebra National Park
The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys, and has become an entrancing preserve ...
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Tsolwana Game Reserve
Nestled against the northern slopes of the Winterberg Mountain range at the edge of the Karoo, Tsolwana Game Reserve lies between Cradock and Que...
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Obesa Cacti Nursery
In the heart of Graaf Reinet lies a totally unexpected surprise in the form of a nursery, which might just as well be called a garden as a wander...
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Fonteinbos Nature Reserve
Deep within the Karoo Heartland, along the Kraai River banks, lies the 1 500 hectares of the Fonteinbos Nature Reserve. This reserve, just outsid...
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Lawrence de Lange Nature Reserve
The Lawrence de Lange Nature Reserve is characterised by semi-arid vegetation. This is made up of scrubby bush, cycads, acacias, aloes and stretc...
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Scar of Grootkloof
Mountain Zebra National Park lies in amongst the Bankberg Mountains and a series of undulating hills just outside Cradock in the Karoo. This area...
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