Geography Located in the centre of South Africa, the Gariep Dam is situated on the Orange River between Colesberg and Bloemfontein, just off the N1. Being so central, it is an ideal stopover for travellers going from Gauteng to Cape Town. The dam is situated in a gorge at the entrance to the Ruigte Valley and the closest town is Norvalspont, about 5km away. The dam is roughly 190km away from Bloemfontein, while Colesberg at 40km away, is relatively close.HistoryThe Gariep Dam, finished in 1972, is the biggest dam in South Africa. Storing water from the Orange River, it is 100km long and covers an area of 36,487ha. This remarkable water management project supplies irrigation waters to the dry Karoo, and is a popular recreational spot for families and watersport enthusiasts.ScienceThe Gariep Dam area is home to the Free State's largest nature reserve. The reserve is a combination of the huge dam and an 11,000ha game sanctuary on its northern shore, and is home to the largest population of springbok in any reserve in the country, as well as Cape mountain zebra, klipspringer, black wildebeest, red hartebeest and ostrich. The dam, an engineering marvel, is also part of a hydro-electric scheme that generates 600,000 kilowatts of power.EntertainmentBeing South Africa's largest dam, the Gariep is very popular as a watersport venue. At the nearby resort, both kids and adults will find the swimming pools, minigolf, tennis, bowls and campsites to be great fun. There are also restaurants to visit when all the activity has left you starving! For those who are interested in the engineering of the dam, there is a tour that goes through the dam wall all the way down to the bedrock, and highlights the amazing feat. Other places to visit include a fish hatchery and the Norvalspont Concentration Camp. Did You KnowThe Gariep Dam is a combined gravity and arch dam built entirely of concrete and is 88m high (90,5m above foundation level), with a crest length of 914m and contains approximately 1,73-million cubic metres of concrete.
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Places to Stay in Gariep Dam, Free State, South Africa |
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 | De Stijl Gariep Hotel
AA Highly Recommended
Places to Stay in Gariep Dam, Free StateDe Stijl Gariep Hotel is situated halfway between Johannesburg and Cape Town. With 31 luxury, air-conditioned rooms and restaurant. We are the perfect stopover for holidaymakers and offer the best view of the largest inland water mass in Southern Africa. |  | Forever Resorts Gariep
AA Associate Member
Places to Stay in Gariep Dam, Free StateThe perfect stopover between Gauteng and Cape Town, 190km south of Bloemfontein, situated on the banks of South Africa's largest dam, the Gariep Dam, bordering the Gariep Nature Reserve. Tour the dam wall with 13km of tunnels, view springbok and Cape mountain zebra in the neighbouring reserve and enjoy an extensive range of water sport. |  | HOTEL WILD
AA Recommended
Places to Stay in Gariep Dam, Free StateHotel Wild is situated on the Lake Gariep route midway between Johannesburg, George and Port Elizabeth on the alternative route from the N1. We are located in Venterstad Eastern Cape, about 5km from Lake Gariep, as well as the Gariep Game and Nature Reserve. Contact us @ 051-654 0159.Hotel Wild is situated on the Lake Gariep route midway between Johannesburg and George on the alternative route from the N1. We are located in Venterstad, Eastern Cape, about 5km from Lake Gariep, as well as the Gariep Game and Nature Reserve. |
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