The vast majority of visitors and tourists alike are always in a haste to get to Johannesburg or Cape Town to have an amazing holiday experience, thereby driving past Beaufort West.
Unknown to them, this city also boasts of having the country’s top attraction at large within its vicinity, which is almost on par with that of other cities they are always in a haste to plan their holiday trips to.
Well, such a narrative is about to be changed, as highlighted below are fun things to do in Beaufort West and a whole lot to discover as well.
What are the fun things to do in Beaufort West?
1. Explore Karoo National Park to appreciate the beauty of nature
Out of hundreds of activities and adventures to catch up with during your stay in Beaufort West, paying a visitor to Karoo National Park seems to be the most worthwhile of them all, one that might potentially take days to explore all of its adventures.
From driving through the spectacular Klipspringer Pass or one of the 4×4 trails down to going on a game drive to see mammals like a lion, mountain zebra, klipspringer, kudu, and eland, and its over 200 bird species, there is indeed a whole lot to catch up with here.
What other things are there to catch up with?
Here, visitors are also granted the opportunity to take a stroll and walk through its fascinating Fossil Trail to discover the Karoo’s ancient history.
Address: Off 6970, N1, Beaufort West, 6970, South Africa.
2. Be part of the guided tours of the Tourism Info center
Should you be confused or struggling to find your footing as it concerns having an amazing holiday experience during your stay in Beauford West, the Tourism Info Center has got you covered.
This tour agency helps assist visitors with friendly and helpful tips to help provide them with direction on what to do in Beaufort West.
What services do they render?
Based on your interest, this very tour agency does make suggestions on attractions nearby to visit and hang out at, places to stay, as well as builds of historical significance to check out.
Address: 59 Donkin Street Beaufort West Western Cape 6970. South Africa.
3. Take a journey into the history of Beaufort at the Beaufort History Museum
There are quite a few museum houses in the area that have got their doors flung wide open to welcome guests to come take a journey into the history of Beaufort, mostly during the weekends. One such museum house is the Beaufort History Museum.
All that is expected of visitors is to pay a little token to be granted access to the museum house, where they get to browse through old photos of Beaufort West.
What should I expect?
This is a museum featuring exhibits on Beaufort’s history and culture in an 18th-century arsenal. Add this to your list of fun things to do in Beaufort West, this weekend!
Address: 44 Durban St, Fort Beaufort, 5720, South Africa.
4. Take a walk into the Dutch-reformed mission church
The Dutch Reformed Mission Church is also another place of interest in Beaufort West and is considered to be a tourist attraction as well, one which was dedicated to the iconic Chris Barnard’s father, who at the time was a preacher.
What should one expect to see?
Built and mounted over a century ago, as far back as the year 1871, this is the only ideal location in the whole of the area where you get to have a first-hand insight into the way of life of the blacks decades ago, mostly as it concerns weddings, funerals, and Easter celebrations.
Address: 1 Church St, Beaufort West, 6970, South Africa.
5. Make a final stop at the Dutch Reformed Mission Pastorie
The Dutch Reformed Mission pastor is yet another tourist attraction that is just a stone’s throw away from the Dutch Reformed Mission church aforementioned above, one that is referenced a whole lot by locals in the area for being the very location where Chris Barnard was born and grew up.
What should you expect to see?
Since it is more like a residential home now turned museum house, guests showing up here get to explore its private furnished house made up of a kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, sitting room, and office, all remaining intact as they were built a century ago.
6. Taste Karoo lamb at the Stalwarts wimpy and spur
There are quite a few classy restaurants to dine at during your stay in the area, but none are dedicated to offering tasty karoo lamb delicacies other than the fast food outlets of stalwarts Wimpy and Spur.
Being a classy restaurant with the Karoo Meat of Origin seal of approval issued to specific restaurant houses, their delicacies are being prepared with animals that have grazed their fields of six fragrant indigenous plants that give a unique flavor to the meat.
What should I expect?
This is a restaurant chain with a family-friendly vibe, dishing up steaks, burgers, ribs, and wings. If you are looking for places to eat in Beaufort West, then visit the Stalwart wimpy and spur.
Address: 18 Barkly St, Beaufort West, 6970, South Africa.
7. Take a heritage walk on the streets of the area
Just as we had earlier highlighted in seeking suggestions for your self-guided tours with the Tourism Info Center, taking a heritage walk in the streets of the area also makes our list of fun things to do in Beaufort West, an experience that involves walking over 20 notable buildings in the area.
Speaking of its notable buildings, visitors get to take a walk around the area, checking out its different museum complexes, national heritage sites, churches, and a whole lot more historic buildings.
Why is this an adventure you should be part of?
For buildings that are privately owned, such as the Pritchard House (1906), visitors are at liberty to take a walk inside and check out its broekie lace decoration.
8. Go on an olive tour at the Olive Groove farm
Going on an olive tour during your stay in Beaufort West is an adventure to be experienced should you choose and decide to visit the Olive Grove Farm, which is just about 20km out of Beaufort West.
Right on this farm, visitors are allowed to buy for themselves the very best olives and olive oil grown and processed on the farm.
What other things happen here?
During the olive season, during which the olives are usually ripe for harvest between March and July, visitors who are chanced upon and are present in the area at that very moment can also come over to witness its olive picking and processing, which they are at liberty to taste as well.
Address: Lombaardskraal Farm, N12, Beaufort West, 6970, South Africa.
9. Enjoy Star gazing during the night hours.
As one of the best places to visit in Beaufort West, you can enjoy stargazing during the night hours.
Regardless of wherever you find yourself during your stay in Beaufort West, coming outdoors after the dawning of the sun to gaze up and appreciate the night sky full of stars also makes our list of fun things to do here; an experience that helps relax the mind.
What to expect?
Visitors get to try out something different by spending their leisure hours and idle time watching over the stars, constellations, and planets in the sky.
10. Be part of the Karoo Sundowner Donkey Cart Tour
The Sundowner Donkey Cart Tour is a tour agency in Beaufort West offering guided tours on its adventures that have to do with riding on the backs of donkeys in the heat of the day.
An adventure you might as well want to consider trying out, of which all that is expected of you is to show interest and make a booking for yourself to be part of this tour.
A tour that brings the enjoyable experience of having fun under a Karoo sunset with a glass of champagne or orange juice and delicious Karoo nibbles.
What else happens here?
This tour agency also helps keep its guests entertained with stories about Beaufort West and the Central Karoo.
11. Have a crazy ride on the Badshoek Game Farm 4×4 Trail
The tourist attraction of Badshoek Game Farm 4×4 Trail has routes measuring a staggering length of over 35 km, designed to film both its residents and visitors alike to come to enjoy its crazy adventures on four wheels for hours.
It is a worthwhile adventure indeed to be part of, as not only do you get to enjoy some crazy driving experience on its 10 km to 50 km trails, but you also get to explore and check out the various mountains and valleys the routes travel against.
What should I expect?
Here, visitors get to ride through the top of the Nuveld Mountain Range with cliffs and gorges on its 4×4 trail, blessed with great views.
12. Enjoy the thrills of riding through Bergplaats 4×4 Trails
The Bergplaats 4×4 Trails are a tourist attraction in an outdoor space, open to both its residents and visitors, be they beginners or experienced drivers, to come be part of its thrilling experience that has to do with enjoying pleasant driving through its 4×4 routes of flat and plateau areas.
What other things happen here?
Aside from its 4×4 trails, it is also an ideal location to come enjoy camping on its private bush campsite made up of a farm dam and plenty of firewood should there be any need for them to keep themselves warm.
13. Lodge over at Hannah’s Haven
Hannah’s Haven is a lodging facility in Beaufort West, which, as its name implies, is a welcoming residential building made famous for its beauty and tranquility while also offering a wide range of self-catering options.
It should be your ideal place to consider seeking accommodation during your stay in the area, especially if you happen to be a nature enthusiast, since it is surrounded by nature’s wonders around its premises.
What should I expect?
Hannah’s Haven is made up of a main house, garden flat, and little roundhouse, meaning guests are left with the option of picking whatever one of its packages matches their budgets.
Address: 44 Danie Theron Street, Beaufort West, South Africa.
14. Connect with nature at the ROAM Private game reserve
The ROAM private game reserve is just as highlighted, as is the lodging facilitated by Hannah’s Haven.
If you’re a lover or enthusiast, this alluring spot is another great destination to think about adding to your list of enjoyable things to do in Beaufort West, as it also lets you take advantage of its enchanting connection with nature.
Being a game reserve, it has a rich and diverse wildlife space on a landscape surrounded by countless species of plants, like an ideal national park.
What other things happen here?
This game reserve also has a lodging facility that is warm and friendly to pass the night at, one that is blessed with facilities such as an indoor fireplace, satellite TV, braai/barbecue, jacuzzi/hot tub, and a swimming pool.
15. Lodge over at the elegant and charming Lamoenfontein Game Lodge
The Lamoenfontein Game Lodge is a homestead and lodging establishment with a period-appropriate architectural style that dates back to the 1850s. It is well-known for its soaring ceilings, original wooden floors, and expansive verandahs.
Though it might not give a proper look at what form a modern-day hotel or resort should take, it also has a little touch of luxury, being equipped with ceiling fans, wall heaters, air conditioners, and an en-suite bathroom.
Why should you stay here?
Here, you get to feel the enthusiasm of its personnel and staff, who go about their business of ensuring guests feel at home.
Address: Off de Jagers Pass, 6970, Beaufort West, South Africa.
16. Enjoy the comfort of Pepper Tree Cottage
The pepper tree cottage is a charming self-catering cottage known for its tranquility and elegance. A lodging facility offering a private sanctuary alongside modern-day luxurious rooms equipped with air conditioning.
Many people believe this to be a location of interest specifically for golfers because a golf club is close by and in full operation.
Why should you stay here?
Here, guests get to enjoy the comfort of its comfy beds alongside its neat, clean, and spacious rooms.
Address: 5 James St, Beaufort West, 6970, South Africa.
17. Enjoy the reservations at the French Karoo Guesthouse
The French Karoo Guesthouse is a four-star lodging facility in the area, offering accommodation for mostly guests on a temporary stay in the area for a little token while giving back in return to them the hospitality they deserve.
What should I expect?
The French Karoo guesthouse has rooms open for bookings, made up of two lounge chairs or couches, air conditioning, electric blankets decorated in a fashionable French style, and tea and coffee-making facilities.
Address: 23 Stroebel St, Noordeinde, Beaufort West, 6970, South Africa.
18. Shop for antiques at the Spinwiel Antiques Shop
The Spinwiel Outlet is an antique shop in Beaufort West, South Africa. It is not your normal grocery store to come shop for food items for consumption, but rather items from its collection of old furniture, glassware, and porcelain.
They also have some other items and collectibles for sale, should they be of interest to you.
What other things happen here?
It also has a museum house right behind its shop outlet, where you can also check out its massive collection of collectibles.
Address: 50 Donkin St, Beaufort West, 6970, South Africa.
19. Go hiking and mountain biking at Karoo National Park
If you want to add some excitement to your vacation by going on hikes and mountain bike rides, you should also make a one-time visit to the Karoo National Park, which allows visitors to go on walks and mountain bike rides.
An adventure that comes with enjoying its breathtaking landscapes and an array of plant and animal life.
What other things happen here?
It is a park offering a multitude of activities that are exciting and thrilling, mostly as it concerns its selection of 4×4 trails and guided game drives.
Address: Off 6970, N1, Beaufort West, 6970, South Africa.
20. Stay over for a night or two at Hotel Oasis
There is no doubting the fact that there are plenty of options and choices in the area of places to spend the night at a luxury star self-catering and fully catered guesthouses, but standing out in the midst of them all is the Hotel Oasis.
This luxurious two-star hotel in the center provides reasonably priced family lodging, an unparalleled 24-hour reception, and the highest level of protection for its visitors.
Why is it an ideal place to lodge?
This resort of Hotel Oasis also has a built-in bar and lounge for friends and family to relax and enjoy drinks.
Address: 66 Donkin St, Beaufort West, 6970, South Africa
Also, Read 20 Best & Fun Things To Do In Still Bay (Stilbaai) South Africa
Plan Your Vacation To Beaufort West
In conclusion, highlighted above are so many awesome tourist attractions to visit in Beaufort West to spend your leisure hours properly while having fun and thrills as well.
With plenty of lodging and accommodation facilities to pass and spend the night at, as well as national parks to relax and reconnect with nature, it is indeed a wholesome experience.
