LADISMITH TOURISM
LADISMITH TOURISM
Ladismith, established in 1851, named after Lady Juana Smith, Spanish wife of Sir Harry Smith, the Governer General of the Cape Colony, nestles at the foot of the Klein Swartberg mountain range in the Klein Karoo. The original “Ladysmith” was changed to “Ladismith” in 1879 to prevent confusion with a similarly named town in Kwa Zulu Natal. The town, situated on Route 62, nestles at the foot of the Klein Swartberg mountain range where the majestic Towerkop (2 189 m) with its split peak and Elandsberg (2 127 m), loom above the town. Local legend has it a witch, flying overhead during a thunderstorm, struck the peak in anger with her wand, because it obstructed her passage over the mountain, splitting Towerkop in two!
Ladismith, as with the rest of the Klein Karoo, benefited from the ostrich feather boom period at the beginning of the previous century. The town is unique in the sense that it has its own individual building style – the so-called Ladismith style – a simplified Georgian design dating from the 1830’s, resembling a double storey with a flat roof and the so-called “Ladismith eyes” (round ventilation holes in the front façade and side walls), providing circulation of air in the high attic during the hot summer months to keep the thick outer-walled houses cool.
Several other architectural styles including Neo-Gothic, Georgian, Victorian, Regency and rural (Karoo) style, Regency, Lithuanian can also be found.
Nine buildings have been declared National (now Provincial) Monuments.
Ladismith Activities
- Scenic drives, mainly gravel routes through Hoeko, Dwarsrivier, Voorbaat and Van Zylsdamme, Touwsberg PNR, Seweweekspoort with its spectacular Cape Fold Sediment Rock, Bosluiskloof to Gamkapoort dam, Vleiland to Anysberg, Rooiberg Pass between Vanwyksdorp and Calitzdorp,
- Mountaineering – Towerkop, Seweweekspoort peak, Elandsberg, Peak Wood Plaats (all part of a World Natural Heritage Site)
- Hiking – Towersig Hiking Trail; Private Nature Reserves and Guest farms
- Cycling – annual Seweweekspoort MTB; safe cycling on farm roads
- 4×4 routes
- Birding
- History and heritage
Ladismith Environment
The unspoiled scenic beauty of the Klein Karoo, the majestic Klein Swartberg mountain range on the one side and plains on the other provides a surprising diversity to tourists. Unpolluted air and friendly people, no traffic congestion on the roads and relatively crime-free and totally malaria-free are some of the other assets. Sunny days are more the rule than the exception, with a year-round rainfall varying from 500 mm in the mountains to 150m m in the outlying areas of the district. Cold winters with snow on the mountains are followed by hot summers. The most pleasant weather conditions are experienced between March and September. This mountainous terrain and valleys with varied rainfall has contributed to our exceptional biodiversity.
A 50 km radius around the town provides fertile valleys situated along the foot of the northern mountains, and to the south arid plains of the Klein Karoo, truly an area of contrasts, where five biomes meet, namely fynbos, renosterveld, succulent karoo, subtropical thicket, and aquatic/riverine.
It serves an extensive farming area with the ideal climate for the production of apricots, peaches, including nectarines, plums, pomegranates, purple figs, pears, grapes, watermelons, melons and citrus for the local and export fresh fruit markets as well as the dried fruit market. Olives are also grown on a smaller scale.
The Klein Karoo is remarkably rich in plant species and almost 3,200 species have been recorded. Ladismith and the area around it received its fair share of this valuable treasure. A total of 214 different bird species have also been recorded. With no air pollution, the night skies are something for the star-gazers to experience.
Accommodation ranges from guest houses and farms, glamping, camping, B&B and self-catering units in town and in the district.
Get in Touch
Telephone: +27 (0)28 050 0158
Email: visitladismith@gmail.com
Website: www.ladismithtourismbureau.co.za
Opening Hours
Our offices are open:
Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 17:00
Address
Ladismith Tourism
6 South Street,
Ladismith,
6655