For a list of Accommodation establishments in Hartenbos please >click here<

A seaside resort between the towns of Mossel Bay and George lies a perfect holiday resort with an endless expanse of golden beach for walkers and anglers and a shallow, sandy lagoon that offers safe swimming and canoeing.It belongs, together with 20 other settlements, to the municipality of Mossel Bay.Originally a farm, Esaias Meyer, a local farmer, as a reward by the Dutch East India Company after he helped shipwrecked sailors. He called the farm Hart en Bosch (deer and bush). South African Railways and Harbours turned the town into a holiday resort for their lower-rung employees in 1933.

It is popular among members of the 'Afrikaanse Taal en Kultuurvereniging' (ATKV), a language and cultural organisation. Many of the holiday facilities are managed by the ATKV, making Hartenbos a very popular vacation destination for both locals and internatioinal tourists alike. Peak season sees Hartenbos thriving with activity from flea markets to live entertainment for the whole family.

The 2001 census showed a population of 71,494 for the whole municipality. The official estimate of 2005 regards 99 676 as a proper figure for an increased population. Although no official figures have been made available, it is estimated that around 15% of these figures relate to the current population of Hartenbos.

Hartenbos lends itself to family holidays and during school vacation the tranquil town becomes a bustling seaside destination.It has amenities for  camping, caravaning, self catering and guest houses. Sports activities include fishing, boating, diving, snorkeling, swimming, whale watching, hiking, abseiling, paragliding and more.  Weather in Hartenbos is usually excellent as the Mossel Bay area boasts the 2nd most moderate climate to Monaco.

The town of Hartenbos has its own primary and private schools, a private hospital, sport clubs and several churches. In May 2006 Langeberg Mall, one of the largest shopping malls on the Garden Route opened its doors to the public.

The ATKV holiday resort offers a variety of recreational facilities, viz a covered, heated swimming pool, miniature golf course (putt-putt), tennis courts, bowling greens, supertube and for various other indoor and outdoor entertainment activities.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

• Open air stadium for cultural, sports and other festivals.
• Hartenbos Museum where different stages of the Great Trek as well as the Commemorative Trek of 1938 feature.
• The Museum complex hosts a traditional shop where various traditions toys, sweets, etc are sold.
• Garden Route National Park
• Oubaai Golf Course

Climate

Hartenbos normally receives about 334mm of rain per year, with rainfall occuring throughout the year. The chart below (lower left) shows the average rainfall values for Hartenbos per month. It receives the lowest rainfall (22mm) in June and the highest (37mm) in October. The monthly distribution of average daily maximum temperatures (centre chart below) shows that the average midday temperatures for Hartenbos range from 18.6°C in July to 26.6°C in January. The region is the coldest during July when the mercury drops to 7.7°C on average during the night. Consult the chart below (lower right) for an indication of the monthly variation of average minimum daily temperatures.

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