Hartbeespoort Dam is the favourite weekend spot for the residents of Pretoria and Johannesburg. Over weekends you will find this otherwise tranquil area, vibrant, busy and to an extent nearly overcrowded.

Locally everybody calls it Harties or the Dam instead of Hartbeespoort Dam. A Hartbees is rather large antelope and Poort, is an entrance. So translated it will be the Entrance of the Hartbees.

WHAT TO DO IN HARTBEESPOORT DAM

Activities here are very versatile and everybody will find at least one activity that will excite them.

People bring their boats for a relaxed day on the Dam. Boater’s World has charter boats that can be hired for private functions on the Dam. Houseboats are available from Harties Houseboat Cruises and must be booked for a minimum of 2 nights.

Harties hosts most of Gauteng’s artist community. Art galleries and specialised craft shops are in abundance.

The Welwitschia Country Market is a permanent fixture with an interesting variety of stalls.

De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre is within easy reach and Hartbeespoort Dam Snake and Animal Park is right in the town centre.

Goblin’s Cove is a few kilometers away and a lovely outing for the young at heart or those with little children. Buy a fairy or two from the exquisite fairy shops. Let the children play and have cocktail or lunch at the restaurant.

At Saloon Route 66 you can listen to South African country music if that is your wish. You will get your food in a tin plate and the drinks in a tin mug.

Maropeng, The Cradle of Humankind and the Lesedi Cultural Village, can be easily visited from here.

WHERE TO STAY IN HARTBEESPOORT DAM

From a luxury Guest House to an Ox Wagon would be your choice for staying overnight.

Kingfisher’s View has a wonderful view of the Dam and can be booked as B&B or Self Catering.

Go Vertical has mountain hut dorms or camping available for backpackers. They offer a variety of adventures like caving, trekking, abseiling and river rafting, as well.

The Oxwagon Lodge let you stay overnight in an authentic ox wagon for a total different experience. They are relatively high up on the mountain with lovely views of the Dam and area below.

The Lake Motel, in the centre of everything, has very affordable rooms for overnight stay or even for day use at half price.

WHERE TO EAT IN HARTBEESPOORT DAM

Squires, at The Lake Motel, has a lovely deck where, on a Sunday, you might have to wait quite a while for an open table. They make all the usual hamburgers, chips and ribs but the vegetarian platter is what deserves mentioning. It’s a very large platter with baked potato, creamed spinach, spinach pies, Halloumi cheese, mushrooms and more. A feast for vegetarians and everybody else.

The Pancake Inn, at the Welwitschia Market, is mostly overcrowded but makes quite good pancakes.

Catalino’s is a typical Italian Restaurant with great pizzas. They also serve nice fish dishes and the garlic condiment that accompanies the fish goes great with the pizza, as well. Just make sure everybody has garlic as it is quite strong.

Jasmyn (Jasmine) is situated in a windmill look-alike building with a deli and coffee shop. The deli sells fresh produce from the farms in the vicinity.

If it is a day on the Dam, some craft shopping or mountain and water adventures, that you seek, you will definitely find it here.