The Little Karoo’s best kept secret, Uniondale on the R62, is to be found in a surprisingly green valley, surrounded by hills. The Kamanassie and Kouga mountains watch silently over this little farming town, and in the distance - the mighty Swartberg becomes the horizon.
Visitors to Uniondale are delighted with the diversity, stunning scenery, magical flora and incredible geology. Our beautiful historical buildings include seven national monuments. There is so much to see and do. Take a guided tour through the town, play a round of golf on our unique Uniondale style course, cycle the many dirt tracks or walk as far as your heart desires.
Visit our restaurants, coffee shops, and gift shops which also display work by local artists. Meet our local characters who will tell you wonderful stories about the town including tales of our ghosts.
Take a scenic drive along good gravel roads, go fishing and on a clear night the stars are spectacular.
The nearby farm stays are also fabulous. Whether your interest is hiking, mountain biking, fishing, birding, hunting, swimming in rock pools, admiring waterfalls, or just enjoying the sounds of silence you will love it here.
Uniondale is a popular cycling destination. This year more than 4,000 cyclists rode the 100km Karoo to Coast mountain bike race from Uniondale to Knysna through the Prince Alfred’s Pass.
Climate
Uniondale has a reasonably comfortable climate. Summer days can get quite warm but a breeze normally cools the air just before sunset leaving the evenings pleasant. Winter days can get cold (snowfalls occur in the surrounding mountains) but most winter days are sunny.
The area has a relatively low rainfall of between 250 and 450mm a year but is still well watered by many perennial streams. The main rainfall occurs during the winter months, but thundershowers often occur during summer.
Farming
The main farming activities in the surrounding area include lifestock (game, ostrich, cattle, horses, sheep, goats), fruit (mainly apples and peaches) and various other growing products.
Accommodation options
- The Cottages B&B
- Bo Kouga Mountain Retreat
- Bon Accord Guesthouse
- The Townhouse Guesthouse
- Vetvlei Farm
- Lansrivier Farm Cottages
- 7 at Grey B&B
- Mountain Pastures Game Lodge
- Oteniqua Trout Lodge
Things to do and see
- Fishing
- Hiking and nature walks at Mountain Pastures game lodge
- Mountain biking
- Bird watching
- Golf
- Tours (guided walking tour of Uniondale)
- Gideon Scheepers Memorial
- See the ancient Bushman Rock Art
- Try your hand at Trout Fly-Fishing at Oteniqua Trout Lodge
- Hiking and nature walks at Mountain Pastures game lodge as well as horse riding and fishing
- Mountain biking - There are so many good dirt roads around Uniondale, which create wonderful opportunities for mountain and offroad biking. Bring your own mountain bike - or ask the hosts at your guesthouse whether you can use theirs!
- Bird watching -A five day birding survey in the Uniondale area recorded 150 species including one extremely unusual and rare sighting.
- Golf - Uniondale has a unique and beautiful nine hole Karoo Golf course, which lies on the outskirts of the town. There are currently seven grassed greens and two sand greens. The course offers 18 tees.
- Tours (guided walking tour of Uniondale)
- Gideon Scheepers Memorial
- See the ancient Bushman Rock Art
