Activities
De Rust Koppie Walk
Walk to the tower on the top of the De Rust koppie. Take in the views of the Swartberg and Kammanassie Mountains as you walk. The koppie is home to many species of flora only found on the koppie. Book a tour with Willie Immelman – the local tourist guide who is well-versed on the plant life to be found on the koppie.
- Distance: 2 km one way
- Total vertical climb: 90 m
- Surface: Gravel
- Category: Easy
Mobile Version
De Hoop Circular Walk
Walk out of town to the farm lands where you will be greeted by views of the Swartberg, Kammanassie and Outeniqua mountains. Pass by two working farms after which you will pass a herd of angora goats. Keep walking past a very old house and its shed to join the Middelplaas Road which will take you back to the main Willowmore Road. Walk back on the Willowmore Road (can have trucks and buses) to De Rust.
- Distance: 7 km circular route
- Total vertical climb: 90 m
- Surface: Gravel / Tar
- Category: Easy
Mobile Version
Meiringspoort Waterfall to Town
Ask your host if they are willing to drop you off at the waterfall and you can return back to town walking through Meiringspoort – a totally different experience to driving it. You are able to take in the beauty of Meiringspoort from all angles.
- Distance: 11.8 km one way
- Surface: Tar
- Category: Easy
- Safety: Be aware of cars and trucks that use the road. The road narrows over the drifts and you will need to walk close to the bollards when there is traffic. There are a number of blind corners which necessitates the crossing of the road for better visibility.
Bospad | Middelplaas | De Hoop
Leave from Ray’s Coffee Shop and head away from the main road towards Vredelus Farm Stay. Stay on the farm road and continue walking following this road. At around 3.5 km you will come to a gate across the road. Look to the left of it – you will notice a hole big enough for a human or a bike. Go through this hole and continue along the road passing a very small village on the right hand side.
When you reach a fork in the road at 4.5km keep to the left and walk past Die Gat Guesthouse.
Follow the road until you reach an intersection with a larger road (the Middelplaas Road). This should be at the 6km mark. There is a river at this interesection. Turn left towards the Swartberg mountains.
Passing farmlands, keep on the Middelplaas Road. Turn right at the next intersection (there is a derelict house across the way) onto the De Hoop Road.
When you reach the tar road (Willowmore Road), turn left and then left again back into town.
- Distance: 12km
- Surface: Gravel
- Category: Easy
- Safety: Always walk in groups; a person on their own is not as secure as a group of people. This walk has been done by 2 women on their own and it was safe enough. Be aware of your surroundings.
Middelplaas Road
Leave town towards the poort and take the Willowmore Road. 2km along this road turn right onto the Middelplaas Road. Wind your way through old buildings, farmland and amazing vistas. Return via the N12 road (Oudtshoorn/De Rust Road)
- Distance: 22.3 km
- Time: Approx: 25 minutes
- Surface: Gravel
- Car Type: Any.
Klaarstroom via Meiringspoort
Follow the road towards Beaufort West. Immediately you will notice the majestic Meiringspoort start to unfold in front of you. Stop at the waterfall for a dip in the clear waters of the plunge pool. Continue on until you reach Klaarstroom (turn off left from the main road).
- Distance: 23 km one way
- Time: Approx: 30 minutes one way and no stop.
- Surface: Tar
- Car Type: Any.
Middelwater Road
This road is on the left as you are leaving Meiringspoort, traveling along a good gravel road and ending up on the Prince Albert side of Klaarstroom.
The Middelwater Road takes you on a drive alongside the Swartberg mountains with amazing vistas. The road is 20km with good gravel. Be very careful in the wet as this road is incredibly slippery and the mud needs to be negotiated carefully.
When you reach the N12/R407, turn right to Klaarstroom. A stop at the Klaarstroom Hotel is a must before you continue back to De Rust.
- Distance: 71 km
- Time: Approx: 1 hour and 16 minutes if no stop
- Surface: Tar and Gravel
- Car Type: Any, but watch the dirt road after rain – can be slippery
Yoga
Yoga is offered at Numbi Valley Permaculture Farm in a specially designed cob yoga studio. You can have a private class with Kath or join an existing class.
Kathryn is a certified Trigger Point Massage therapist and Hatha Yoga instructor (YTT 500hr) having obtained her Yoga certification with Yoga Alliance at The Kailash School in Dharamsala, India, The Samadhi Asram in Rishikesh, India and additional Asana training under Yogi Victor Van Der Klei in South Africa
Kathryn Eybers:
Cell: – 072 1918672 (WhatsApp only)
EMail: – numbivalley@gmail.com
Massage Therapy
Kathryn is a certified Trigger Point Massage Therapist.
Massages at Numbi Valley Permaculture Farm take place in a cob studio with views over the Olifants River and Swartberg mountains.
A herb infused outdoor fire bath is offered at the end of the massage session; this needs to be pre-booked and incurs an extra cost.
Kathryn Eybers:
Cell: – 072 1918672 (WhatsApp only)
EMail: – numbivalley@gmail.com
Darkskyes
An astronomical observatory in De Rust makes perfect sense when you realise we have some of the clearest skies in the country. James van Vuuren has built an observatory in Middelplaas – a short distance from the town of De Rust where there are no lights to interfere with star gazing. James has mounted the telescopes on stands which are the two pointers of the Southern Cross and the chairs on which you will sit for the presentation are the Pleiades.
Join James to learn more, where he will be hosting you with a discussion of the planetary systems, observing the stars along with a potjie and drinks (the first one is complementary thereafter there is an honesty bar). A maximum number of 8 can be accommodated per night.
James: 082 499 3531
Willie Loves De Rust
Willie Immelman is the local De Rust tour guide. He is passionate about the history of De Rust, and the natural habitat of the Klein Karoo.
Book Willie for guided tourist excursions to Meiringspoort, De Rust ‘koppie’ and other local attractions.
Willie:
Cell: – 082 952 2001
FB: – @derusttouristguide
Numbi Valley Permaculture Farm Tours
Book a tour with Kath and Ross, and discover how they turned an old ostrich farm into an organic paradise. Kath and Ross have a passion for organic gardening and looking after our earth. The farm is solar powered, the buildings built from cob, chickens are used as “tractors” and drip irrigation is used so as to make the best use of the available water.
The tour takes between 60 – 90 minutes.
Kathryn Eybers and Ross Dwyer
Cell: – 072 1918672 (WhatsApp only)
EMail: – numbivalley@gmail.com
Spensplaas
Spensplaas is an organic food growing project for the people of De Rust. Here you can volunteer for a morning or a day in return for which you will receive produce from the garden or a food token should there be no produce available.
Being out in the country on a 1ha of organic vegetable growing is idyllic. Doing something to sustain food security in De Rust is a highlight. On any bucket list of someone who wishes to spend time volunteering – a very special, worthwhile project.
Swartberg Circle
The Swartberg Circle is a scenic drive leaving from any of the towns or villages on the route. Driving via Oudtshoorn or Calitzdorp over the Swartberg Pass and through Meiringspoort to the towns of De Rust, Klaarstroom, and Prince Albert should be on everyone’s bucket list. The drive can be undertaken either clockwise or anti-clockwise. .
More information: – https://www.swartbergcircleroute.co.za/
Giraffe Walks
Located in the Swartberg Game Reserve. Wildlife walking tours. Ideal for young families.
Cell: 083 997 7404
Cango Wildlife Ranch
– cheetahs, lemurs, snakes, wallabies, crocodiles, kids zone, restaurants
Tel: 044 272 5593
EMail: info@cango.co.za
Web: https://cango.co.za
Zip Line
– cheetahs, lemurs, snakes, wallabies, crocodiles, kids zone, restaurants
Cell: +27 79 891 8248
EMail: info@cango.co.za
Wilgewandel Holiday Farm
– accommodation, restaurants, waterslides, camel rides, quad bikes, foefie slide and more
Cell: 071 387 6529
EMail: tourguide@wilgewandel.co.za
Karusa Vineyard & Micro Brewery
Winery, craft brewery, orchards
Tel: 044 272 8717
EMail: info@karusa.co.za
Thorny Creek Brewery and The Red Bus Café
Boutique Craft Beer and Restaurant, Organic Vegetables
Tel: 072 273 1926
EMail: basilhof@gmail.com
Safari Ostrich Farm
Ostriches, Tractor Tours, Restaurant, Shop
Tel: 044 272 7311
EMail: info@safariostrich.co.za
Highgate Ostrich Show Farm
Ostriches, Ostrich Riding, Ostrich Farm, Restaurant, Shop
Tel: 071 076 9964
EMail: manager@highgate.co.za
Chandelier Game Lodge
Giraffe Experience, Buffalo Experience, Sundowner Bush Dinner, Khoi-San Trail and the Ostrich Show Farm, Accommodation, Weddings, Functions
Tel: 072 742 4405
EMail: chandelier@wispernet.co.za
Oudtshoorn Tourism
Official Tourism Office for Oudtshoorn and De Rust
Tel: 044 279 2532
EMail: info@oudtshoorn.com
