SleepOver Colesberg offers safe, comfortable, and affordable accommodation just off the N1 near the N9 junction, 622 km from Johannesburg and 787 km from Cape Town, making it the ideal stop for road trippers, business travellers, and long-haul drivers.
The property features 20 air-conditioned rooms with en-suite bathrooms, Wi-Fi, tea & coffee facilities, bar fridge, and workstations.
Guests enjoy free secure parking, 24-hour security, daily housekeeping, an on-site restaurant, licensed bar, and convenience store. Close to Gariep Dam, Colesberg-Kemper Museum, and Ouma Millie’s Padstal, SleepOver Colesberg is your trusted, budget-friendly Karoo stopover.
Establishment Facilities: * Free and secure parking * 24-hour security with armed response * Convenience store on-site, which also offers pies, heat-and-eat meals, and more. * Veranda at the shop with outdoor seating * Fully licensed * Wi-Fi in public areas
Area Info:
Colesberg is a historic town in the Northern Cape, South Africa, set in the heart of the Great Karoo along the N1 between Cape Town and Johannesburg. It is best known for the striking Coleskop Hill, a cone-shaped landmark that seems never to get closer as you drive toward it. Because of its position, the town has become a popular overnight stop for travelers crossing the country. The economy of the area revolves around sheep farming and thoroughbred horse breeding. Colesberg is famous for producing some of the country?s finest merino wool and racehorses. The surrounding farmland is also home to renowned stud farms, including one owned by Gary Player. Despite its small-town feel, Colesberg supports a variety of local businesses and accommodation options, from guesthouses and farm stays to boutique lodges.
Attractions:
* Colesberg-Kemper Museum – Housed in an old 1860s bank building, the museum displays Anglo-Boer War relics, Karoo history, and even a link to South Africa’s first diamond discovery.
* Anglo-Boer War Sites – Colesberg was a strategic area during the war, and visitors can explore battlefields, trenches, and memorials, including
* Plateau Camp, Grenadier Guard Rock, and the old military cemetery.
* Heritage Architecture – The town is filled with well-preserved Cape Dutch, Georgian, and Victorian buildings. Highlights include the Dutch Reformed Church (built in the 1860s) and St. John’s Anglican Church (1854), designed by Sophia Gray.
* Walking Tours – Guided tours take visitors through the town’s history, past old houses, churches, and the original horse mill, now converted into a pub.
* Doornkloof Nature Reserve – A 9,388-hectare reserve along Vanderkloof Dam, home to kudu, eland, steenbok, bat-eared foxes, and an array of birdlife.
* Activities include hiking, horse trails, and birdwatching.
* Coleskop Hill – The iconic “Magic Mountain” that never seems to get closer as you approach. It’s a well-loved landmark and offers beautiful panoramic views of the Karoo.
* Hiking & Mountain Biking – Trails around local farms and koppies provide opportunities for exploration, archaeology, and enjoying the unique Karoo landscapes.
* Stargazing – Thanks to its clear skies and minimal light pollution, Colesberg is an excellent spot for observing the night sky
* Horse & Mill Pub and Restaurant – A historic dining spot inside an old coach house, with its original horse-driven mill still intact.
* Local Restaurants & Coffee Shops – Places like Bordeaux Coffee Shop, Die Kleipot, and the Sea Cow River Restaurant serve hearty Karoo meals, fresh bakes, and regional specialities.
* Stud Farm Visits – The area is renowned for its thoroughbred racehorse breeding and merino sheep farming. Some farms offer tours by arrangement.
Nearby Attractions
* Norvalspont Concentration Camp Cemetery and War Graves – Just outside Colesberg, this memorial site recalls the suffering of civilians during the Anglo-Boer War.
* Vanderkloof Dam – South Africa’s second-largest dam, offering fishing, boating, and scenic views, located about an hour’s drive away.
Rooms and Units Available:
Double Room
Double Room with air-conditioning and a workstation, that sleeps 2 guests on a king bed or 2 twins beds. Each room offers an outdoor patio area, tea and coffee facilities, an en-suite shower bathroom with bathroom amenities. Serviced daily by housekeeping
Amount of similar units: 10
Sleeps 2 Adults
Family Room
Family Room with air-conditioning and workstation, that sleeps 2 adults on a queen bed & 2 children under 12 years on pull-out beds. Each room offers an outdoor patio area, en-suite shower bathroom with bathroom amenities. Serviced daily by housekeeping.
Amount of similar units: 5
Sleeps 2 Adults
and 2 children
Twin Room
Twin room with air-conditioning and workstation that sleeps 2 guests on twin beds (2x ¾ beds). Each room offers an outdoor patio area, tea and coffee facilities, en-suite shower bathroom with bathroom amenities. Serviced daily by housekeeping.
Amount of similar units: 5
Sleeps 2 Adults
Facilities & Services available:
Babies Children under 12 Self-Braai / Barbecue Curio Shop
Garden Parking (off-street - open) Wi-Fi English
No Pets Allowed Nature Hiking Fishing
Birdwatching Historic Sites Monuments
Cancellation Policy:
If cancelling 14 days before arrival, forfeit 100% of the booking total.
Terms and Conditions
* Cardholder & ID/Passport must be present at check-in. * Credit card used for online payment to be present at check-in.
* Family rooms can only accommodate 2 adults and a maximum of 2 children under the age of 12 years on pull-out beds.
Directions:
Start your trip in Johannesburg and take the N1 south toward Cape Town. You’ll pass through Kroonstad, Winburg, Bloemfontein, Trompsburg, and Springfontein before reaching Colesberg, where you can stop for a break at Erf 2165 - SleepOver Colesberg (Off the N1, Colesberg 9795). This leg is approximately 620 km and takes about 6–7 hours.
From SleepOver Colesberg, continue on the N1 south-west, passing Richmond, Three Sisters, Beaufort West, Laingsburg, Touws River, Worcester, and Paarl before arriving in Cape Town, a distance of about 780 km taking around 9–10 hours.
Alternatively, from SleepOver Colesberg, you can head east along the N9 toward Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). This route takes you through Middleburg, Aberdeen, Graaff-Reinet, and Jansenville, covering roughly 730 km and taking about 8–9 hours.
For the return journey, simply follow the same route in reverse. This scenic drive along South Africa’s main national routes offers a straightforward, comfortable, and picturesque journey, making it ideal for road trippers and travelers looking to explore the heart of the country.
