Life in Nieu Bethesda potters along much as it did 130 years ago when the village was founded. Stone water furrows still line the wide, dusty streets. Night skyscapes are unpolluted by streetlights, and the air is still fresh and clean. As always, the Compassberg watches over the village and Nieu Bethesdans still while away the hours on their stoeps, watching village life go by.
All around stretches the arid expanse of the Great Karoo, where the land meets the sky. This is a nature-lovers paradise, a high-altitude semi-desert that is home to the largest variety of succulents in the world - as well as eagles, hadehas, sacred ibises, secretary birds, blue cranes, flamingoes, otters, lizards, snakes, tortoises, bat-eared foxes, kudu, springbok, reedbuck, wildebeest, wild cats, ground squirrels and aardvarks.
In times gone by, agriculture was the driving force of Nieu Bethesda’s economy, the region’s Angora goats and Karoo lamb are famous. Nowadays much of the industry is based around art. There are craft shops and galleries, potteries and sculpture gardens - most famously, the late Helen Martins’ extraordinary “Owl House.
Whether your interest lies in art, bushman paintings, fossils, climbing, hiking, bird-watching, mountain-biking, horse-riding, game-viewing, star-gazing or stoep-sitting, you’ll never be at a loss for things to do in Nieu Bethesda.
And the choice of accommodation varies from farmhouse to backpacker lodge, spacious to intimate. Wherever you book, allow extra time this is one experience you won’t want to stop in a hurry.
In room facilities:
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Towels
- Linen
- Hot water bottles
- Heaters
- Microwave
- Gas plates
- Fridge/freezer
- Cooking utensils
- Crockery and cutlery
- Woodstove
Establishment facilities:
- Braai facilities
- Bar/Lounge
- Free parking
- Secure parking
- Pet friendly (cost and booking required)
Helen Martins’ Owl House, often cited as South Africa’s finest example of outsider art, is an extraordinary, other-worldly home of concrete and ground glass sculptures. Her creativity conjures up an array of emotions: from wonder to excitement, curiosity and sadness. Built in 1905, the Dutch Reformed Church of Nieu Bethesda is the grandest edifice in the village, with its long gothic spire soaring towards the dazzling blue sky. The area around Nieu Bethesda is good for either a leisurely ride or a challenging ride for serious mountain bikers. If you are feeling lazy, hire a bike from the Outsiders B&B and cruise around the village.
- If cancelling 2 days before arrival, forfeit 100% of the deposit.
- If cancelling 7 days before arrival, forfeit 50% of the deposit.
- If cancelling 30 days before arrival, forfeit 10% of the deposit.
The cardholder & ID/Passport must be present at check-in.
The credit card used for the online payment must be present at check-in.
