De Rust

Accommodation | Activities | Restaurants | Business Directory

General Information

De Rust is a quaint Little Karoo village that lies at the southern portal of the famous Meiringspoort about 35 km from Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape. This quaint Victorian village is a unique place for an overnight stop en-route to one of the many tourist destinations in in the Klein Karoo,

De Rust has a typical Karoo atmosphere steeped in hospitality and time. A perfect opportunity for well-being and family time.

Nestled between the Swartberg and Kammanassie Mountains, De Rust is the gateway to the Great and Klein Karoo. There is a variety of accommodation options, a few local restaurants and activities. Some of the things to do on offer include hiking trails, cycling, bird watching, fresh water fishing and water sport on the Stompdrift Dam. Support the Donkey Awareness Project and enjoy a ride on the unique and rebuilt donkey carts through the town. The Activities Directory provides a list of advertisers in and around the area.

From De Rust you need not travel more than 200 km to the breathtaking beaches of the south coast, to the Knysna and Tsitsikamma Forests, to the Cango Caves, to Meiringspoort or Seweweekspoort, to Gamkaskloof (also known as "Die Hel" or "The Hell"), up the Swartberg Pass. Visit an ostrich farm or take a wine-route excursion to spoil your taste buds with some of the country's finest cuisine, or go fossil-hunting on the endless plains of the Great Karoo.

De Rust might be small but it is charming and has become something of a haven for artists and is famous for its dessert wines and cheeses. Beautiful picnic spots can be found in Meiringspoort which has become one of the most visited spots in the Klein Karoo. The Meiringspoort waterfall drops 60 m into a deep pool which is great for swimming on those hot Karoo days!