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
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Nieuwehuyz
Nieuwehuyz is a fully contained self-catering Karoo-style holiday house in Prince Albert, a town nestled at the foot of the Swartberg Mountain ri...
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Memories Self Catering
Memories Self Catering offers accommodation in two semi detached units situated within a secure complex. Both units (called Aloe and Spekboom) ca...
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Karoo Sun Guesthouse
If you are looking for a guest house that can offer you stylish and modern accommodation, combined with reasonable rates and excellent, competent...
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Nieuwerust
Nieuwerust is a fully contained self-catering Karoo-style holiday home with three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. The enclosed courtyard outsid...
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Berluda Farmhouse & Cottages
Set on route to the Cango Caves, in the picturesque Schoemanshoek Valley, Berluda is an intimate guesthouse experience, offering 5 en-suite bedro...
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Gecko Rock Camping
Gecko Rock Camping offers Karoo accommodation for up to 38 guests, in the Nougaspoort Valley. Our aim at Gecko Rock is to offer our visitors an u...
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Nieuweschuur
Nieuweschuur is a fully contained self-catering Karoo-style barn with a luxury loft, holiday apartment. It is furnished with a King-size bed and ...
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Volmoed Cottage
Volmoed Cottage offers Karoo self catering for up to six guests. This cottage is private and is roughly 8 km's from Oudtshoorn, in the Garden Rou...
Things to do in the area
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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
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
![](https://www.sa-venues.com/attractions/gallery/westerncape/283/1.jpg)
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...
![](https://www.sa-venues.com/attractions/gallery/westerncape/284/1.jpg)
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...
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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...
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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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