Prince Albert

	Prince Albert's story from prehistory to today
	the Anglo-Boer War
	our Gold Rush
	building the Swartberg Pass
	"Witblits" still (right)
	historical walks with guide
	books on the history of the village and our architecture
	trained guides

For more about the Museum click here

R10 per adult and R2.00 per child - children must be accompanied by an adult

Top of page

Gay's Guernsey Dairy - Gay van Hasselt Tel: 023 5411 274 or 023 5411 538 Upper Kerkstraat

farm fresh milk, yoghurt, cream, amasi, feta & hard cheeses, fruit juices.

WEEKDAYS: 07:00 to 09:00; 10:00 to 12:00 and 16:00 to 18:00

SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS: 07:00 to 10:00 and 16:30 to 18:00

Guided tours and school groups by arrangement, please telephone Gay.

Click here for photographs and more information

Top of page

Prince Albert Walks and Stories with the Story Weaver- Storyteller and accredited tour guide Ailsa Tudhope 023 5411 211 R30 per adult, R15 per school child

	The Ghost Walk is a gentle evening stroll (1 ¼ hours) around the streets of the village with stories about some of the characters who have lived here – and some of the ghosts who show no interest in ever leaving ...
	Prince Albert Stories - Ailsa can join you over a pre-dinner drink to tell you stories about the village, the Swartberg Pass, the Boer War and more.

During the school holidays Ailsa also offers Historical Walks - meet some of the people who made Prince Albert what it is today - from Zacharius and Dina De Beer, who arrived in 1762, to Carel Lotz who created the Prince Albert Gables during the 1850's, to Dr Piet Luttig - a Boer War Rebel. See well-preserved examples of Karoo cottages, Victorian homes and various National monuments.

visit The Story Weaver website at www.storyweaver.co.za

or click here

prince albert images

a cd of Prince Albert memories

with more than 120 photographs, interesting

facts and stories about the village

available from the Tourism Bureau

for just R70

visit the digital sa webpage

Top of page

Astro Tours: Hans & Tilanie Daehné on +27(0)72 732 2950 or

+27(0)72 641 9657 e-mail: astrarea@absamail.co.za

Join Astro Tours on a tour through the celestial splendour of the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy the celestial "Big Five" of our dark sky in the Great Karoo: the brightest star, the closest star, the largest globular cluster, the most beautiful open cluster and the closest galaxies.

click here for more details

Bergwater Vineyards - wine tasting and sales at the vineyard in the Prince Albert Valley. Monday to Friday 09h00 to 16h30 and Saturday 10h00 to 14h00. Please contact us at 023 5411 703 or wine@bergwater.co.za

Top of page

SoetKaroo Wine Estate ...dessert wines grown, made and bottled on Herman & Susan's little village farm at 56 Kerkstraat - in the main road of Prince Albert! Visitors are welcome to see the vineyard and cellar, tasting and sales from 8h30-17h00. Closed on Sundays.

Tel: 023 5411768 click here for photographs and more information

Top of page

Swartrivier Olive Farm - 5kms out of Prince Albert on the Kruidfontein Road (turn at the Prince Albert Golf Club). Tel: 023 5411 917

Jan & Annalien Bothma harvest 50 - 80 tons of olives per year from 3000 trees - Manzanilla & Mission for processing and Leccino for oil. Tours and tasting by prior arrangement. Click here for photographs, information on olives and sales

Top of page

Kredouw Olive Farm Anthony Mullins & Adan Liepner

Tel: 023 5411 105

Situated at the foot of the Kredouw Pass in the picturesque Prince Albert Valley, Kredouw Olive Farm now boasts an olive press for the processing of cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. This oil is extracted from a selection of five varieties of handpicked Italian Olives, grown on the farm, and blended to achieve a unique flavour. The farm shop sells olive oil and products as well as almonds and other farm products and has a viewing window of the press, visitors are welcome to see the operation first hand. Olive picking and pressing takes place from the end of March to the end of May.

Top of page

Prince Albert Tannery/Looiery Tel: 023 5411 411 Shop at National Centre, Kerk Street, Tannery in Margariet Prinsloo Street

For handmade leather sheepskin slippers, fur hats, waistcoats and tanned skins of every variety.

Top of page

Wolskuur Spinners Kerkstraat Tel: 023 5411 363/434

for 100% mohair hand-woven carpets, jerseys, mohair blankets and products. Visit our shop in Kerk Street where we also sell handcrafted African felt wall-hangings, embroidered cotton nighties, cotton rugs and jewelery. Our mohair carpets are produced in Prince Albert and can be shipped world-wide. Click here for photographs and more information

Top of page

Jacques Maree Designer Jewellery

Tel: 073 995 0656. Email: maree.jacques@gmail.com

By appointment only.

Hand-crafted silver jewellery and contemporary giftware. Jacques creates unique, personalised designs, and also offers a remodelling and alteration service. Jacques mostly works in silver and he specialises in unusual bracelets, earrings and pendants. Rings are made for the individual upon request. His silver teaspoons make excellent gifts, but be sure to order in advance as they are very popular. While in town, don’t miss the unique opportunity to meet this local craftsman and invest in some of his most recent designs. Make an appointment to see what he is currently working on! Alternatively be on the look out for his quality workmanship at selected art galleries and craft stores on Cape Route 62 and the Garden Route .

Top of page

Prince Albert Gallery - in Seven Arches, across the road from the Museum, Kerkstraat. 023 5411 062; after hours: 082 749 2128

	Regular exhibitions by South African artists, sculptors, ceramicists and photographers
	Prince Albert artists, potters and photographers exhibit their work.
	Open Tuesday - Friday 9h30 - 12h30 & Saturdays 9h00 - 12h00
	The Gallery Cafe is open for dinner too: Wednesday - Monday Tel: Brent 082 749 2128

Click here for photographs and more information

Karoo Art - local scenes by local artists in the foyer of the Swartberg Hotel

Top of page

The Kevin Hough Gallery - in the old Bioscope Building next to Seven Arches.

Recycling reaches a new art form: scrap metal transformed into fantastical vehicles. Meet the artist and hear how it all came about.

Top of page

The Karoo Labyrinth - in the garden at St John the Baptist Church in Bank Street.

You are most welcome to walk the Karoo Labyrinth at St John's and spend some time in contemplation and prayer. The Karoo labyrinth is unique to Prince Albert and has been constructed from local materials and indigenous plants. The path is defined by stones and weaves its way from the Church door towards a tree which provides shade for quiet contemplation and prayer. The Celtic symbols of Earth, Air, Water and Fire all feature in the labyrinth.

Visit www.storyweaver.co.za/labyrinth.htm for more information.

Top of page

The Lazy Lizard - open daily Upper Kerkstraat 023 5411 379

for collectables, art, books, delicious edibles AND an INTERNET CAFÉ. Juan is a computer expert, so consult him for all your computer needs.

The Lazy Lizard offers breakfast, coffee and cakes and delicious light lunches.

You can keep up with your GYM sessions and YOGA at the Lazy Lizard Gym

Dennehof Ria and Lindsay Steyn Tel 023 5411 227

Ria and Lindsay will show you round Dennehof, the oldest farmhouse in the village and tell you about its history, its rescue, renovation and declaration as a National Monument.

Top of page

Dennehof Tours Lindsay Steyn Cell: 082 456 8848 Tel 023 5411 227

	Lindsay is an accredited tour guide for the Western and Eastern Cape and offers trips throughout the district in an air-conditioned micro-bus. View the magnificent Swartberg Pass and visit Gamkaskloof. He also arranges private and customised tours - go to Dennehof Tours for more information.
	Hiking in the Swartberg Pass - Lindsay drives you up, you hike down and he collects you.
	Cycling in the Swartberg Pass - up and down ... or just down!

Top of page

The Alberts Mill Tel 023 5411 112

The Alberts Mill is being restored. Drive out along Christina de Wit Street towards the mountains and you will see the Mill on your left hand side. The restored wheel and over-shoot launder are already in position. More information on the Mill at the Fransie Pienaar Museum.

Top of page

Gem Collection and Town Walks Lydia Barella Tel: 023 5411 350 Upper Kerkstraat

to view the spectacular private Barella gem collection telephone Lydia. R5.00 per person.

Lydia is a registered tour guide for the village and takes guests on a historical and architectural walk

Top of page

Swedish Massage at Onse Rus Kerkstraat Tanya 072 383 14 37 or

Back, Neck & Shoulders                                 30 min    R100

Back, Neck, Shoulders & Upper Body          60 min    R180

Back, Neck Shoulders & Legs                       60 min    R180

Feet                                                                   20 min    R 50

Mini Pedicure                                                   45 min    R100

Mini Facial                                                        60 min   R120

Full Body Massage                                          90 min   R300

Hot Stone therapy or Body scrub can be combined with any of the above, an extra R50.00 will be charged and the treatment time will be 15 minutes longer

Karoo Retreats Intuitive Life Coach & Counsellor Diane Wampach 082 828 9813

UNIQUE LIFE COACHING RETREATS IN PRINCE ALBERT

Invest in yourself...taste the sweetness of Prince Albert as you find the essence of what you are seeking in your life on a transforming week's retreat.

adjust your mindset

open to your creative flow to inspire your path ahead

discover your unique and powerful potential

unmask your true self

heal your past blocks holding you back from growth

7 divine days ... one complete experience of Self as you attain unity of heart, body, mind and soul, positively aligning and positioning you for your life path ahead. Thus creating a strong inner foundation for any adjustments and changes you wish to make in order to access your true desires.

Facilitated and guided by Intuitive Life Coach and Spiritual Counsellor, Diane Wampach. Diane has been instrumental in assisting clients to transform themselves and their lives for the past seven years in life coaching sessions, intuitive spiritual readings, workshops and retreats. Based in Cape Town until May 2007 when she moved to Prince Albert , Diane is committed to offering deeply healing experiences to those people seeking truth within themselves and uplifting life changes.

Life coaching retreats include one on one coaching sessions with Diane. Through intuitive guidance with her, they may gain key insight into themselves and their world and how, by adjusting their beliefs, blocks and past experiences, their path opens up quite dynamically to embrace a whole new positive outlook and life journey.

Other options to add to your retreat experience are:

yoga as you tune quietly within

sounding in the Swartberg pass to integrate what you feel and hear from your Soul

guided walks in amongst majestic karoo vistas

artistic and creative play time to unleash your inspiration

peaceful 'me' time

gentle massage, healing and more

Other retreats available are 2 - 5 days, modelled to your specific and unique needs. Diane will work with a brief and intuitively build on that to bring about a supremely healing experience of rejuvenating rest, restoring inspiration and joie de vie, spiritual alignment or whatever your 'thirst' or need.

For details or enquiries please call Diane on 082 828 9813 or e-mail spiritualroutes@telkomsa.net

Time to BE in heavenly Die Hel!

Diane Wampach, Intuitive Life Coach and Spiritual Counsellor is based in Prince Albert and now offers bi-monthly retreats in Die Hel. Mother Nature resides so gently but powerfully in this unique area and Diane honours this pure force when offering retreatees transforming and healing journeys.

Retreats begin by arriving in Prince Albert by midday on a Friday to enjoy a relaxed lunch, before being collected or driving to Die Hel. Retreatees will begin their inner journey on the road, whilst enjoying exquisite views of The Swartberg Pass mountains and Die Hel.

Diane will shape the retreats around the following guidelines to offer retreatees a profound experience :

Mother Nature's meditation - walks to magical waterfalls, natural fountains, rockpools and hidden caves

Explore the power of Mother Nature and self at a divine thorn tree forest and the Swartberg waters

Plentiful birdsong and SILENCE

Guided visualisations to explore the inner cave & wise voice within

Sunrise moving meditations

Sunset sounding/chanting

Quiet time for walks amongst fynbos and birdwatching

The retreat will finish at lunch on Sunday and retreatees will then depart for Prince Albert . Retreatees may choose to spend the evening in Prince Albert and leave for home on Monday morning and be at their desks in time for the new week!

This valley is mystical and sacred, but you will need to witness this for yourself!

For enquiries and dates, kindly contact Diane on 0235411 922 or 082 828 9813 or write to spiritualroutes@telkomsa.net. You can also contact Marinette on 0235411 107

Top of page

Hire a mountain bike at

	The National Garage Tel: 023 5411 797 at the North entrance to town
	Dennehof Guest House, Ria and Lindsay Steyn, Tel 023 5411 227 - Lindsay also organises mountain bike trips through the Swartberg Pass

pedal round the village or head for the Swartberg Pass

Top of page

Bushman Valley Contact the Tourism Bureau 023 5411 366 or 044 382 6805 or 082 452 8134 www.uys.com/bushmanvalley

Bushman's Valley is in the Swartberg Private Nature Reserve, which stretches from the area south of Prince Albert up to Tweedewater in the Swartberg Pass.

take a hike past Bushman shelters to the Ein Gedi waterfall (fountain of small bucks) 1 hour there and back

hike into the entrance of the Swartberg Pass

view indigenous plants, many used by the Bushmen for food and medicine

picnic and braai sites are available

camping and caravan sites have been laid out below towering cliff faces

the lodge provides facilities for learning about the Bushmen and a shop (souvenirs and refreshments)

Hiking in the area - Tourism Association Office 023 5411 366

	you can do the "koppie" trail on the hill behind the village (no permit required). The path starts at the top of Cromwell Street and ends in Klipstreet. Wear a hat, sturdy shoes or boots and carry some water. Wonderful views of the village and the Karoo.
	The Sam de Beer 4x4 trails suit hikers too - click here for more details
	You can hike from Weltevrede farm over the Swartberg into Gamkaskloof with a guide - click here for more information
	Head into the Swartberg Pass with Lindsey of Dennehof Tours. He'll drop you off at the start of a 9km or 18km hike, leave beers cooling for you in the river and pick you up when you finish the trail! Lindsay Steyn Cell: 082 456 8848 Tel 023 5411 227. Click here for more information
	please visit the Tourism Association Office at the Fransie Pienaar Museum for details and permits for day hikes in the Swartberg Pass
	contact the Nature Conservation office in Oudtshoorn for details on the five day hiking trail in the Swartberg Pass tel: 044 279 1739, fax: 044 272 8110. Please note: This trail is currently closed for maintenance. (November 2007)
	3 day hike into Gamkaskloof - "To Hell and Back" - contact Dick Billiet 023 5411 267

Top of page

Sam de Beer 4x 4 trails - ideal for hikers too! Tourism Association Office: 023 5411 366 or National Garage: 023 5411 797

The Sam de Beer 4x4 trail starts opposite the road to Scholtzkloof, an information sheet and prices are available from the Tourism Office - 023 5411 366. There are three ecologically different trails:

Circular route (5km) - includes a bad lands clay pit

Mountain route (4km) with stunning views

Bain's road bush route (5km) with an exciting diversion

Enjoy the wide variety of plants including numerous succulents; game and bird viewing; see the historical ruins of Sam de Beer's house and farm walls built in the early 1800's, swim in the concrete dam.

A permit and the key for entrance to the route are available at the Tourism Office and the National Garage in Prince Albert.

Top of page

Fossilised reptile footprints - viewing by special arrangement with Paul Miller Tel: 02082 and ask for 1631

see where prehistoric reptiles roamed when the Karoo was a great inland sea

Top of page

Conference facilities

Die Ou Kelder (on a farm 5km from town) is fully licenced and has conference facilities. They cater for large groups including weddings. Please contact: Johanna Luttig at 023 5411 908

Top of page

COMING SOON ...

African Relish

An exciting new tourism development in Prince Albert is the establishment of African Relish, a cooking school aimed at the international and local traveller who is looking for something different. Tourists will be able to participate in hands-on interactive cooking experiences, while learning about South African food and culture and the beautiful Karoo. African Relish will be operating from mid 2009.

Top of page Home Page