Ladismith

Dominated by the impressive Towerkop (2198m), Ladismith is a chilled and typical Klein Karoo farming dorp straddling the R62 on the way to Oudtshoorn. Although it hasn’t achieved the same cult status as Barrydale, for example, on closer inspection it’s actually got quite a bit going for it – dramatic mountain scenery and wide jacaranda’d streets lined by nicely preserved historic homes in a range of vernaculars, from simplified Georgian to rural Karoo. And then some more… Fanning out from the town are a couple of impressive day-drives, Seweweekspoort the most awesome among them.

Things To Do
  • The dorp itself offers pleasant early morning and sunset strolls. Midday in summer is reserved for mad dogs and Englishmen. Take note during your ambles of the varied architecture – you’ll see everything from Georgian through to Neo-Gothic Regency, Lithuanian, Edwardian, Cape Revival and rural Karoo. 
  • If you have time to kill, you’ve got to do a day drive. There are two main options. First on the to-do list is Seweweekspoort – a wild gorge cutting through tortured rock formations that pops out 21km later in the Great Karoo. At the other end of Ladismith and with a different personality, the Hoeko valley is a picturesque meandering drive through wonderful farmlands, old homesteads and orchards – at their best in spring.  
  • The mountains rising up behind Ladismith are intimidating to your average Joe Soap. Best you contact the Tourism office for the options, or stay at one of our recommended farm getaways if you plan to do a lot of walking.  
  • There are a couple of restaurants in the town, most of these on the R62 and catering to passing day traffic. Best bring your own grub, topped up by farmstalls along the way. Cheese, however, there is plenty of, with Parmelat and the Ladismith Cheese Factory both in town and with decent-value factory shops attached.
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