Amalienstein and Zoar, Karoo
It is difficult to talk about Zoar or Amalienstein separately, so interwoven are these sister towns.
They lie adjacent to one another on Route 62 at the entrance to the Sewe Weeks Poort (Amalienstein is the one with the beautiful yellow church that you notice from the road), they are both on the Missionary Route (that includes Mamre, Genadendal, Wuppertal, Steinkopf and Elim) and both towns are under-explored and dependent on tourism for their survival.
Their immediate history goes something like this: Zoar was the first of the South African Missionary Society's (SAMS) 'projects', established in 1817. Interestingly the Berlin Mission Society ran the mission station on behalf of SAMS, only to fall out over something vital enough that one of the injured parties established Amalienstein, just next door.
Both missions received substantial funding from a Baroness Amalie von Stein.
But the towns' history goes deeper than this. The locals 'colonised' by the missionaries were from the Attequa tribe (you will also find their descendants in similar little towns like Suurbraak, just outside of Swellendam), descendants of the Korana (a Quena/Khoi tribe). Their culture and way of life is fast dying with the elders of the town, who are now trying to preserve and share what little they know as part of a Kannaland Storytelling Initiative to capture, share and showcase the history they remember.
These informal and off-the-cuff sessions are the best way to meet the people of Amalienstein and Zoar. As the actor, Alan Rickman, so aptly says - it is a human need to tell and listen to stories, so that we can remember who and what we are. Do a Google search for Kannaland Storytelling Initiative, or visit their very active Facebook page for more information.
To do in Zoar and Amalienstein:
Drive into Amalienstein and visit of the church and its yellowwood pews. The local coffee shop will also make you feel welcome.
Explore the Kanna Biodiversity Route, established by Open Africa as a way to introduce visitors to little unknowns, like Zoar, along the Gouritz River corridor.
Catch the Zoar Donkey Taxi (ask for Hendrik who provides rides through the village).
Go on a Land and Sand environmental excursion for children with Allicatt Tours (Alistair Reizenberg), based in Zoar.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Casa Milorca
Casa Milorca is a 19th-century, owner-run guest house offering accommodation in the historic heart of Prince Albert. The guest house features thr...
Lentelus Farmstay
Situated in Barrydale, Lentelus Farmstay offers accommodation in three separate units. A stay at Lentelus, which is surrounded by pear trees is a...
Earthbound B&B
Earthbound Guest House offers fine accommodation in Oudtshoorn in individually decorated rooms with all facilities and friendly staff. For relaxa...
De Cango Farm
De Cango Farm offers Oudtshoorn accommodation, at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains, close to the historical Cango Caves. The rooms are situate...
Elfen Cottage
Elfen Cottage offers accommodation in Prince Albert. The cottage are within walking distance to shops, restaurants and the nearby Koppie Trail wi...
Ravenscliff Villa
Ravenscliff Villa is a comfortable, spacious home located in the centre of Oudtshoorn. The house is perfect for large families with children or a...
Lemon Tree Guesthouse
Situated in the beautiful town of Prince Albert in the Karoo, Lemon Tree Guesthouse is situated within a few metres from a variety of shops and r...
Kia Ora Guest House
Kia Ora Guest House in Beaufort West has three deluxe rooms, one with an en-suite bathroom and the other two rooms share an adjoining bathroom. E...
Honey Badger Cottage
Honey Badger Cottage is located at Rangers Reserve in Touws River and offers self catering accommodation on a 1385h farm with views of the mounta...
Things to do in the area
Kanna Biodiversity Route
The Kanna Biodiversity Route is a rural tourism route created by Open Africa as a way to draw attention to the lesser-known gems, and old favouri...
Noteworthy attractions
Anysberg Nature Reserve
In the heart of the Cape Fold Mountains, the natural abundance of the Anysberg Nature Reserve is situated in the Little Karoo of the Western Cape...
Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
In Roux Road on the outskirts of Worcester, some 120 kilometres from Cape Town, lies a unique gem of a garden - the only truly succulent garden i...
Cango Caves
Almost 30 kilometres outside of Outshoorn in the Klein Karoo, and certainly one of the main reasons for placing this little town on your itinerar...
Karoo National Park
The Karoo National Park is situated close to the N1 highway between Cape Town and the hinterland, approximately 1000 km south of Johannesburg and...
Gamkaberg Nature Reserve
Lying in the Little Karoo is the remote Gamka mountain range, isolated because of the conduit of the Gouritz River that slices between the Gamkab...
Kammanassie Nature Reserve
Lying in the Little Karoo between the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains, lies an inselberg or monadnock - an isolated hill or small mountain that...
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
At the foot of the Warmwaterberg, in the heart of the Little Karoo, between Montagu and Barrydale on the famous Route 62, the vision of the San i...
Swartberg Nature Reserve
The Swartberg Nature Reserve lies in the Oudtshoorn district between the Great Karoo and Little Karoo, bordered by the Gamka River in the west an...
Meiringspoort
The towering sandstone cliff walls and breathtaking rock formations of Meiringspoort lie on the N12 between Beaufort West and Oudtshoorn. The poo...
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