This German owned lodge is in Nuwerus, Western Cape, South Africa, 360 km northwards from Cape Town and 2 hours drive from Springbok. It is only 100 m off the N7 and ideal stop-over if you travel the Namibia/Cape Town-Upington route. Hardeveld lodge is centrally situated when touring Namaqualand during the wild flower season (July until September). Nuwerus is crime free, bordering farmland with no industrial pollution, where you can be sure to have a rejuvenated overnight stay. Here the stars are bright and you will find enough time to read those books you never had time for!!
We offer affordable but luxury and neat accommodation with good quality linen & mattresses, All meals on request with vegetarians included, using organic produce in season from our garden; Children welcome; Secure and under roof parking; NO pets. NO SMOKING in units.
OTHER FACILITIES
About Nuwerus:
Nuwerus is a small country town within the Succulent Karoo Biome; area known as the Hardeveld, very rich in endemic plants. This is a subtle environment that whispers, rather than shouts its charm. The Hardeveld Route’s tranquility invites you to really slow down.
Nuwerus gets its water from boreholes that gets purified by a desalination plant which is the first desalination plant to purify drinking water in the southern hemisphere.
In those earlier days the post and merchandise were transported by ox wagons and horse and carriage. In the case of the Northwest the post was taken from Cape Town to Gouda. From there one post coach took it to Piketberg area and another on route to Citrusdal, Clanwilliam, Vanrhynsdorp and further north. ‘Greys Pass’, now called Piekenierskloofpass, Citrusdal, did not exist those days.
Originally the trip from Vanrhynsdorp to Garies was approximately 100 km; one shift which has been done with one set of horses. These shifts soon proved to be too much for the horses and also because of the rocky ground caused the horses to develop feet problems and they could not continue with the trip. For this reason they decided to make a halfway station between Vanrhynsdorp and Garies. On this place there would always be fresh horses available to continue the trip to Garies on the same day. Such a place was Aardvarkgat (now Nuwerus) where stables were built for the horses to rest after their trip from Vanrhynsdorp. Not only for the horses, but also for the riders this place was ‘a new resting place’ (Nieuwe Rust). The English version of the name ‘Aardvarkgat’ translating into ‘Ant Eater’s Hole’ was not acceptable and the stop-over was renamed Nieuwe Rust. The spelling of Nieuwe Rust was used until 1940 whereafter the new spelling ‘Nuwerus’ was used.
It is an area where the tone is decidedly traditional, time with friends is spent chatting and the people are hospitable. The stars are bright with no competing city lights.
En-suite with double bed, a big bathroom and hand shower; coffee making facility, fridge, air-con, wall heater, TV and private barbeque; separate entrance and own garage (sleeps 2).
THE COTTAGE has 2-bedrooms with 2 single beds in each room plus sleeper couch in TV-lounge; fully equipped kitchen, shower, air-conditioner, fan, wall heaters and own BBQ facility (sleeps 4-6 persons).
