Few farms can boast the breadth of historical evidence in situ, as Ganora Farm. It ranges from pre-history, through habitation by the mobile San/ Bushmen people, to the trek Boers and the Boer War.
The Karoo tells the story of life in South Africa 253 million years ago during the Permian Period. This was 50 million years before the first dinosaurs, a time when the continents were joined and the mountains of the Cape were the size of the Himalayas. Proof of the existence of these animals and plants may be found in the rocks surrounding Nieu-Bethesda. At the time the area was covered by huge meandering rivers. The floodplains teemed with prehistoric animals and those that died along banks of the river, were covered with mud and are today preserved as fossils.
Ganora Farm has a rich fossil field running through it. Over the years JP, the owner has accrued considerable knowledge and a wonderful collection and has housed these in a small Fossil Museum on the farm. Visit the museum, enjoy an interesting talk and gain insight into this area’s pre-historic origins.
Walk with a guide to see the San Rock Art Paintings. These are fascinating especially in the light of recent understanding of what and why these artworks were created.
Their private Bushman Artefact Museum is also housed in the original farm house, like the fossil museum. See all the tools found and learn about their unique use. Some were found in caves, and others in areas they used as “workshops.” There are also some arrows and musical instruments, as well as bags they made from the hides of animals they hunted.
The museums are both registered and the family has preserved and kept meticulous records of finds and locations.
Ganora was registered in 1838, just after the Great Trek. The Davels lived on the farm and 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. He was captured and his family sent to the concentration camp. His one son witnessed this and hid in the Bushman shelter for 3 months. He made some engravings while in hiding which we will be able to show you while on the tour to the Bushman shelter with paintings.
Enjoy a delicious lunch at the farm’s restaurant in a converted, original farm building or under the oaks. The meal and cool drinks are included. The restaurant is fully licenced and alcoholic beverages are not included.
Duration excluding lunch: 2 hours
Walking difficulty: Moderate and it is just 800m. Those with walking difficulty can drive to the gate.
Ganora Farm, Nieu-Bethesda, 62...
Ganora Farm, Nieu-Bethesda, 62...
Parsonage Street, Nieu-Bethesd...
