Aerial view of Vanderkloof Dam

Renowned for its wide open spaces and typical Karoo character homes, a far lesser known fact about the Karoo is that it also has its own Riviera which stretches along a number of appealing waterfront towns such as Oviston, Gariep and Vanderkloof.

Wayne Rubidge, Pam Golding Properties’ area principal in the Karoo says the Orange (Gariep) River passes through three of the Karoo’s four provinces, with the Northern Cape and Free State enjoying the lion’s share of water frontage, and is akin to a winding oasis which creates the Karoo’s very own Riviera.

He says the heart of this Riviera is where these three provinces meet at the two inland lakes of Gariep and Vanderkloof – the third province being the Eastern Cape. This picturesque, centrally located and water- rich area has a low population density and a healthy climate, and is surrounded by the Great Karoo’s expansive open spaces.

“Still relatively undiscovered and with a laidback lifestyle, the Karoo waterfront towns of Oviston, Gariep and Vanderkloof are experiencing a surge in interest in property. This is spurred on by the appealing outdoor lifestyle with hundreds of kilometres of waterfront living – including numerous watersports, good value for money, low crime, lack of noise and pollution as well as their central location between Cape Town and Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban and just two hours from Bloemfontein.

“Most of our buyers in these towns are from the surrounding areas as well as Bloemfontein, mainly because these areas are still relatively undiscovered. However, these destinations are now marketing themselves as resort towns with appeal for people who want holiday homes, homes to retire to or lifestyle alternatives away from busy city life.

“The Karoo’s Riviera is still accessible within a seven hour drive of major centres, and with its own airstrips as well as airports in Kimberley and Bloemfontein. Key attractions are the fact that this is still a relatively pristine area with no industry, mining or sprawling urban areas, and also affordable, offering home buyers good value for money.”

Surrounded by the Rolsfontein Nature Reserve and with views over Lake Vanderkloof and its many islands, the town of Vanderkloof in the Northern Cape has arguably the most scenic setting and many lovely homes. Property here sells for between R500 000 for a two bedroom home up to R1 million for a three bedroom home with scenic lake views, and waterfront homes run into several million, but are still comparably cheaper than coastal homes.

Properties for sale in Vanderkloof include the luxury Meerenberg townhouse development on the waterfront, where a three bedroom home sells for R1.5 million, with larger properties in the complex selling for up to R2 million. A trendy guesthouse with good lake views and which sleeps 10 is priced at R1.4 million, and the most exclusive lakefront property with a private jetty, a boathouse and a swimming pool is also on the market for R4.4 million. This double-storey, open plan, architect-designed house has three bedrooms and five reception rooms with modern finishes, and lake and island views from every room.

Unlike many other inland waterfront properties these river and dam front properties are surrounded by provincial nature reserves and the water quality is excellent. There are public and private mooring facilities as well as a yacht and fishing club, and besides being able to accommodate large motor boats and yachts the facilities are also popular for smaller, family-sized craft for outings to the game reserve, fishing, or visiting the many spectacular islands with their abundant birdlife.

In the Eastern Cape on the southern side of Lake Gariep, adjacent to the 16 000ha Oviston Nature Reserve, the small resort town of Oviston is the perfect place to retire to, with an average price of around R300 000 for a three bedroom home. Over the past 14 months 13 homes have sold in Oviston.

Rubidge says most of the houses in this average price range are converted, prefabricated houses built at the time of construction of Lake Gariep, and are now affordable resort-style homes.

For sale at present are a three bedroom lake-front house for R600 000; a three bedroom home priced at R420 000 within walking distance of the lake and suitable for a retired couple; and a four-bedroom home with lake views priced at R950 000. A 1 200 m2 lakefront stand is also available at R200 000.

The business town of Gariep is in the Free State on a hill overlooking the Gariep Dam and vast open spaces of the Karoo. This is a bustling town with resorts such as the Forever Gariep Resort, a yacht club, a golf course and a surfaced air field for medium-sized planes and which is also popular for national glider events.

Average prices here are a little higher with well-appointed three bedroom houses priced at about R500 000 and entry level homes at around R420 000, and more expensive homes selling for around R700 000. Currently on the market is a three-bedroom home on a 1 054 m2 stand priced at R522 000 and ideal for a couple who are retiring. Homes with views over the lake or open spaces of the Karoo can sell for up to R750 000.

In addition, the Karoo Riviera along the Orange River has some appealing farms with river frontage on offer. Average farm sizes are from 1 000 – 3 000ha, priced from about R3 000/ha for non-irrigated farmland. However, much of the area is used for irrigation farming purposes, interspersed with large stretches of river frontage that offers game and lifestyle opportunities. On the market is a 2 800 ha game farm with river lodges, excellent fishing and a river rafting safari business. This property with 8 km of prime river frontage is priced at R10.943 million.

Call Wayne Rubidge on 082 432 9364, email wayne.rubidge@pamgolding.co.za or visit www.karooproperty.co.za.