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Calitzdorp is a quaint little town on route62, nestled in the heart of the Klein karoo, Western Cape, Rep. of South Africa This haven is also known as the port wine capitol of South Africa, due to the quality of the port wines made by the local wine cellars.

Calitzdorp is renowned in its own right for a number of reasons, not least of which is its bona fide Klein Karoo character.The Klein Karoo is a gorgeous part of the Cape Floral Kingdom that functions as something of a mini desert - sparse, dry and arid countryside interjected by surprisingly fertile valleys, through which mountain streams meander to provide a source of water for the surprising amount of fruit grown in the area.

Route 62 is modeled after the iconic US Route 66, made famous by the late, great Nat King Cole in the song of the mid 20th century. Travelers headed for the Garden Route will find that Route 62 offers a better alternative to the dull N2 motorway between Cape Town and George, being more scenic and slightly shorter.

In 1821, land was granted to JJ and MC Calitz who named it Buffelsvlei. This name was derived from the local vegetation and animals found here. Ground was donated for a church in 1853 and four years later, the foundation stone was laid and a church school established.  Richard van Reenen Barry was the first pastor and served the community for 40 years.

In 1910 it was decided to build a new church as the congregation exceeded 4 000. 1912 was an important year as the new church and a new school building were completed, and a start made with the building of the Standard Bank as well as the Nelsrivier Dam.

Subsequently drought, the Great Flu and the collapse of the ostrich feather market all hit the area hard. However, recovery followed with the opening of the railway line (1924), electrification (1937) and the construction of a cement road from Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo.

Queen Street is one of the oldest streets in town and begs a stroll to properly absorb the number of Edwardian and Victorian, and Karoo style buildings heavily influenced by English architecture.

Today, Calitzdorp is fast becoming a tourist destination. Popular outdoor activities include birding, mountain biking, canoeing and fishing, walking, hiking trails and 4x4 Routes. The wine farms of the town are Boplaas Estate, Die Krans estate and the Calitzdorp Wine Cellars.Tours are available of the Wine farms

Calitzdorp is known as the Port Capital of South Africa. The annual Calitzdorp Port Festival is held during the last weekend of July each year.

Calitzdorp Port Festival

Since the first Port Festival in 1992, Calitzdorp's fame as the Port Capital of South Africa has continued to grow in leaps and bounds both locally and internationally. This historic Klein Karoo village, embraced by the Swartberg, Rooiberg and Gamkaberg mountains, is already abuzz with activity for the 2009 Port Festival so diarize the first weekend in May for what promises to be the region's festival of festivals.

Take part in a great walking tour with donkeys for companions! The trail takes four days and three nights, and you can be guaranteed of a great Karoo experience including ostrich farms, the Groenfontein Valley, Calitzdorp port and a night in the veld in the Swartberg Nature Reserve.

But Calitzdorp is probably most well recognized for its production of some of the country’s best port wines due largely to the hot, dry climate Top quality wines are produced in Calitzdorp mainly by Boplaas, De Krans, Axehill and Calitzdorp wine cellar. There are other Calitzdorp cellars also producing quality port and wine.

Apart from the usual accommodation establishments, Calitzdorp also offer hospitable stays on Game lodges and Guest Farms as well as a relaxing, pampering experience at the renowned Calitzdorp Spa.

Climate

In the summer its hot during day - dry heat, up to 40 C, wind from the sea every afternoon, moderate, cool evenings.Winter times its sunny most days and cold at nights, occasional frost.

Rainfall: 200 mm per year, often with the changing of seasons.
Prevailing winds from the south in summer, hot wind from the North in August.

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