Welcome to 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. The surrounding rock formations and rich fossil beds on the farm bear testimony to the events that contributed to the formation of this vast and beautiful land.
Ganora Guest Farm at a Glance
Karoo Farm Experience
Ganora is a working sheep farm situated just outside Nieu Bethesda providing guests with first hand experience of life on a typical Karoo Farm.
Fossils
The surrounding rock formations and rich fossil beds on the farm bear testimony to the events that contributed to the formation of this vast land.
Rock Art
The farm boasts various sites with well-preserved rock paintings and engravings, bringing to life 10 000 years of Bushman folklore.
Accommodation
Ganora offers 3 star accommodation with various options and is highly recommended by the AA. Groups of up to 26 persons can be accommodated in B&B rooms.
Activities
Hiking, Mountain Biking, Bird Watching, Game Viewing, Star Gazing, Swimming are all firm favourites amongst the guests at Ganora. Educational tours for scholars are popular.
Medicinal Plant Walk
Henry, better known as Punky, our local guide, enjoys taking people on walks through the farm. He tells you about the farm , but his real interest is in medicinal plants.
Courses
Ganora is a popular venue for multi day Art and Cooking Courses.
These are presented by experts in their respective fields whilst students enjoy the hospitality typical of Ganora.
Boer War
Ganora was registered in 1838, just after the Great Trek. The Davels that came to live here, had a son who became a great leader for the area. However, as he was Dutch speaking, he was not very welcome during time of the Anglo Boer War.
Nieu Bethesda
Nieu-Bethesda, a charming village set in the fertile valley of the Sneeuberg Mountains near Graaff Reinet is so secluded that development took a back seat leaving a rare historical integrity. Contact us for some of these sought after properties.
Ganora Projects
Rehabilitation
Rare (and common) species are studied and quite often rehabilitated after being poisoned or injured. Orphaned meerkat, ground squirrels, mongooses are often hand reared and allowed to roam freely on the farm.
Research Projects
Various research and conservation projects are based at Ganora.
These range from temperature, rainfall, geoscience, research. Details are provided elsewhere on the website.
Some Guest Comments
What a beautiful Place
We stayed there for one night to be close to Nieu-Bethesda, whose Owl House was on our bucket list.
The friendly service, authentic Karoo farm experience and wonderful nature will bring us back despite the terrible roads.
Oasis in the Camdeboo Karoo
My family and I spent 5 days over New Years in the self catering cottage at Ganora. Hester and JP immediately made us feel at home. Jp’s fossil collection and fossil walk were superb, a fantastic glimpse into the pre-reptilian world captured in the Karoo rock formation. Hester’s rock art walk was also superb, and reflects San and even colonial evidence of our human need to leave a marker, a trace of our existence.
Returning time and again
Been regular visitors for the last ten years; always the same wonderful welcome.
Easily our best farm stay experience in the Karoo. Spectacular views of Compassberg and surrounding mountains when you climb out of the gorge sheltering the farm. Plenty to explore over a few days if you like walking. Not just a stop over.