Ganora Guest Farm

Ganora Guest Farm is a sheep farm situated just outside Nieu Bethesda in the foothills of the majestic Sneeuberg Range sixty kilometres north of Graaff-Reinet in the Karoo Heartland. The farmstead and guest cottages nestle deep in the slopes of a depression carved into the bedrock by ancient rivers in pre-historic times.

Accommodation

The original farmstead and outbuildings, dating back to the mid 1700’s, have been converted into guest accommodation. The stone packed “kraal” wall that once surrounded the farmyard, today forms part of some of the guest cottage interiors, allowing visitors the rare pleasure of interacting with the past.

Meal times at Ganora are of special importance. This is down time, and visitors can look forward to traditional Karoo cooking, good company, much laughter and stories about the day’s events. Regular fare on offer includes Karoo lamb, kudu and other game dishes, bobotie with spiced rice, organically grown vegetable dishes, koeksisters and melktert (milk tart).

Guided tours and historic sites:

The farm museum has an extensive fossil collection, including rare examples found nowhere else in the country. Jan-Peet’s knowledge of Karroo fossils, together with his enthusiasm for the subject make his talks and fossil veld tours hugely popular with young and old. The farm also boasts various sites with well-preserved rock paintings and engravings and visitors can look forward to an entertaining and informative talk on the subject, bringing to life 10 000 years of Bushman folklore. Even the Anglo-Boer War features in Ganoras past.

Farm owners Jan-Peet and Hester are involved in a game rehabilitation program. The result is that orphaned game often make the farm yard their home, allowing visitors the opportunity to make close contact.

Ganora Guest Farm Cycling Trails

You can choose to do easy rides, setup by Soeren Mades, near the homestead or try something a little longer.  There are two marked trails on the farm ( 11.6 km and 20km) that are accessible to mountainbikers, although some level of experience is recommended. Trails numbered 3 and 4 allow mountainbikers to explore the Karoo landscape the farm has to offer.  You will need double shocks and a puncture kit for the longer ones. You will be biking through our springbuck camp and will surely be able to see some close by. Please bring your own bike along. Detailed maps of the trails on the website.

If you’re looking for an organized cycle tour in this area check out Great Karoo Cycling.