Rietfontein is a Town in ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. It functions as the Rietfontein Border post with Namibia, during the day hours of 08:00-16:30, that gives access to and from South-East Namibia, via Aroab on the C 16 Main Road. The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality (previously Siyanda District Municipality) is a Category C Municipality forming the mid-Northern section of the Northern Cape Province, bordering with Botswana in the North and Namibia in the West.

It makes up just under a third of the Province's Geographical Area, of which 65 000 km² comprise the vast Kalahari Desert, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the former Bushmanland. This District comprises five local municipalities. Upington is the District Municipal Capital, where the Municipal Government is located. Rietfontein Border Control is a single graveled carriageway. The nearest Town to this Border on the Namibian side is, Aroab, and on the South African side, Rietfontein.

"Make sure you have: a 'ZA' sticker on your car if travelling from South Africa, which can be purchased at any 'AA' agent or at outdoor retailers. Also, a valid passport for showing at the Border, which should be valid for another 6 months from the date you leave South Africa or your relevant Country, a valid Driver's License; (i.e. South Africa licenses are valid in Namibia.) Cash to pay a Road User's Fee (approx. R220 for a car, R 140 per trailer/camper. You can pay by credit card, in South Africa rand or Namibian dollar. It is safer to take enough cash with it. An important point is to note that your vehicle's papers must be in order - proof of ownership of the vehicle or rental company, your driver's license, and a police clearance certificate. The police at the border post will check your engine number, chassis, trailer number and license details. If you own the vehicle, make sure that your insurance is covered while you travel in Namibia. Your bank must also issue you with a letter giving you authorisation to take the vehicle across the Border, including dates. The bank letter and license papers must be signed by the Commissioner of Oaths. If you are using a rental car, make sure you have a letter from the rental company giving you permission to take the vehicle out of the Country!"

Clarendon Circle was a Landmark Intersection, of the North East Route into Johannesburg. It was a Circle of note Located where East Avenue crossed Empire, Bruce, Twist and Klein Streets. There was an Island on East Avenue, separating the Traffic Lanes with an attractive line up of palm trees and shrubs. Today Clarendon Circle is NO more!
The fingerprint of the History is captured in the name; Clarendon Place which is the new name for, East Avenue. The old Clarendon Circle disappeared into an amorphous, chaotic Crossing marked by Traffic Lights.Clarendon Place which was once Clarendon Circle!
Clarendon Circle was named in honour of the Earl of Clarendon, George Villiers (1877-1955) who served as Governor General of the Union of South Africa from 1931 to 1937. He was the Chief Representative of Britain, in South Africa. George Villiers came from an Aristocratic English Family, with Ancient Roots. His full Name was; George Herbert Hyde Villiers, 6th Earl of Clarendon! He was a British Conservative Politician and sat in the House of Lords. He also served as Chief Scout of the Boy Scout movement during his tenure as Governor General and filled many other Public positions and roles. Today Clarendon, the last Englishman to hold the Post of Governor General of South Africa, is a largely forgotten figure from our Colonial past. However, his name is still remembered in Hotels, Streets, Guesthouses, Apartment Blocks and Schools, throughout South Africa! He was the man who laid the Foundation Stone of the William Cullen Library at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1935. Anna Smith, in her Classic Book: 'Johannesburg Street Names', gives a full record of City Council deliberations for 1931. In October 1931 the Council decided on the name Clarendon Circle following a suggestion by Councillor D W McKay (Mayor, 1936-37) that the roundabout should be named Clarendon Circus which was then modified by Councillor M Freeman (Mayor 1934-35) to Place or Circle. The actual planning of a crucial Road Intersection in the form of a Roundabout went back to 1929, in deliberations of the City Engineers Department. Clarendon Circle was a key intersection leading into the City, or to Hillbrow or West, along Empire Road, and served this purpose over a 28 year period. A Circle meant that vehicles took turns to enter the Traffic Roundabout and then move off in the chosen direction of the Driver. In 1959, it was decided to abandon the Circle in favour of a straightforward intersection to handle growing traffic densities. Over time “traffic” took precedence over a, "living green urban Environment". However, the name Clarendon was retained as what had been East Avenue was renamed Clarendon Place and extended beyond the old Circle and heads towards Klein Street.

A small, modern Karoo Village, Laingsburg lies at the confluence of two rivers, but is one of the driest parts of the Country. Laingsburg is 280 km from Cape Town just off the N1 highway that travels through the Great Karoo.
Despite its dryness, they are well known for the freak flood that devastated the Town on the 25 of January 1981. In a matter of Hours, the entire Town was under water, with only the roofs of Houses visible. This traumatic event was due to an abnormal rainfall in the Catchments of both the Buffel's River and Biviana's Rivers that come together in the Town. This catastrophic event claimed 104 Lives and left only 21 Buildings standing. Today high-water marks line lamp posts and the Dutch Reformed Church, one of the few remaining Buildings, to serve as a reminder, and the local Library has a collection of photographs and press cuttings covering the disaster. The Laingsburg Flood Museum is dedicated to capturing the essence of the Town and its People, and conveying the mammoth effect of this Disaster. Memorabilia, Artifacts and Information continues to be gathered for an accurate, up-to-date Exhibition that speaks to the hearts and minds of those that visit!
One of the exhibitions at this Museum is; the "Wolfaardt Collection of Africana Memorabilia", which is about the Great Trek, the Anglo-Boer War and the ancient tools and implements used by the indigenous Khoi-San folk that once occupied the Region. These tell fascinating stories that are integral to the History and Heritage of South Africa; a land of so many Cultures and Customs.
Laingsburg, initially called Buffelsrivier (Buffalo River), is considered something of a Geological wonderland. Running alongside its main Road are layers of fossilized mud stone and a yellow bank of volcanic ash that have blown across from South America, 250 Million Years ago. There is also a distinguishing white quartz band that runs between Matjiesfontein and Laingsburg and on into the Eastern Cape Province, indicating continental drift - a similar layer is found in South America.
There is now a Geological walk on the Farm; 'Geelbeksbrug', 12 km North of Laingsburg to cater for the growing interest in the Geology of the Area. Known as the Blockhouse Route, because of its proximity to the Anglo-Boer War Blockhouse, the route takes in a number of fascinating rock formations.
The Area also caters extensively for outdoor enthusiasts. There are a number of Hiking Trails; including the 24 km 'Klipkraal Route' which is along the crest of the Swartberg and the 16 km' Verlorenhoek Trail' as well as, a hike designed specially for bird fanatics at 'Kraankop Farm'.

Then there’s the Annual 80 km Karoo Marathon, which passes through some of the most beautiful parts of the Area and is regarded as a rather grueling Ultra Marathon. There are several easy Mountain Bike Trails and a two-day Guided Horse Trail.

Riviersonderend is a small farming Village with a peaceful rural atmosphere, situated on the main Garden Route between Cape Town and Mossel Bay on the N2 - 160 km from Cape Town, and is surrounded with Farms. The Town offers the tranquility of beautiful Mountain and River scenery, a nine hole golf course and a host of other activities. The Town is also only an hour away from several Beaches. There is uncertainty about the origin of the name Riviersonderend. Translated from Dutch and Afrikaans, the name means ‘river without end’. Riviersonderend, is located on a loop of the winding Sonderend River from which it takes its name. Willem ten Rhyne, who visited the cape in 1673, referred to the River, with it's source in the Mountains, as the "sine fine flumen" ("river without end"). In 1707 Jan Hatogh, a Horticulturist, employed by the Dutch East India Company and a seasoned traveler, referred to the River as the "Kanna-Kan-Kann". This word was possibly derived from the Hessequa word "Kamma-Kan Kamma" which, roughly translated, means "water, endless water", (The Hessequa were a local Tribe of herdsmen). Thus there is also the believe, that the name of the Town was derived from the perennial Sonderend River at the foot of the Sonderend Mountains. Riviersonderend, or "Rivier Zonder End" as it was known in earlier days, was established in 1923 when Miss Edith S V McIntyre sold the Farm 'Tierhoek', for 6000 Pounds to the Church Council of the local Dutch Reformed Church when the congregation was established.
Riviersonderend marks the ‘start’ of the Garden Route and even though it isn’t officially on the Route, the Town caters well for travelers who bustle back-and-forth on the freeway, which passes through the Town. Rest Stops and Fueling Points for both car petrol tanks and human tummies in need sustenance on the long road, are on all entry and exit points of the Town!
Riviersonderend is a convenient Base from which to explore the surrounding Countryside and several Tourist Busses make this a stopping point, when passing through the Town. Nature lovers will delight in the magnificent Views across the Riviersonderend Valley. Enjoy the beautiful wildflowers, fynbos, fresh air, Mountains and scenic views that Riviersonderend Mountain has to offer!

The little Hamlet lies right on the Montagu Pass cradled by some of the most majestic Mountain scenery in the country on the R 62, (Route 62) one of South Africa’s newest and most scenic travel routes that meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, dotted with quaint towns and undiscovered Villages like Herold!
Herold lies almost Halfway between George and Oudtshoorn, offering not only moments of idyllic tranquility and peaceful contemplation, but access to both the Coastal and Inland attractions; of the Klein Karoo and the Garden Route.
The Area abounds with Outdoor Activities like: Bird watching; hiking, mountain biking; wine tours and panoramic countryside, are right on your doorstep. There are also guided Hikes up the nearby Cradock and George Peaks. Some of the original village buildings of Herold are now incorporated on one of the guest farms in Herold whilst the remains of what was once the blacksmith’s shop, which dates back to the 1860's, is visible from the Montagu Pass. Herold Wines Estate, is bounded on three sides by a Nature Reserve, making the Estate remote and magnificent! The vines are at a higher Altitude than many other South African Vineyards. Come and taste wines in a completely relaxed Area!
You are not short of things to do when staying in Herold, although you may well be tempted to slow to the pace of life here and venture no further than your doorstep. But should you set out, the Cango caves are but 30 minutes’ drive from here; the Beach is only half an Hour away, and there are steam Train trips between Knysna and George that are well worth the minor effort it would take to get there!

The Langeberg Mountain Range is in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and is approximately 170 km long! The Marloth Nature Reserve, the Garcia State Forest and the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area are three, of the most popular Nature Conservation Areas along the Langeberg Mountain Range! One of several Mountain Ranges that run from East–West in the Western Cape. It stretches 170 km from the Gourits River in the East, to the Town of Montagu in the West. It consists of Sediments of the Table Mountain Sandstone Group and occasionally the Malmesbury Group. South of the Range; the Agulhas Plain and Overberg Wheat-Belt, stretch towards the Coast. To the North lie the open Plains of the Little Karoo. The Area can be divided into three distinct Regions: Marloth Nature Reserve; the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area; and the Bergfontein–Rooiwaterspruit–Phesantefontein Area, which includes Garcia State Forest. Marloth Nature Reserve is situated in the West of the Mountain Catchment Area, above the Town of Swellendam. The South-facing Slopes above Swellendam, are steep and rise rapidly to form the ‘clock’ Peaks, although in Places the steepness is interrupted by expanses of flat Plateau. On the Northern slopes, the Boskloof Valley and Hermitage Kloof rise steeply to form Hermitage Peak, which is 1 154 m above Sea Level and Goedgeloof Peak which is 1 710 m above Sea Level, (the latter being the Highest Point, in the Langeberg range). To the East, Goedgeloof Ridge lies adjacent to the Little Karoo. The Topography towards the Nooitgedacht River is dominated by a series of Peaks: Kruispad; 1 365 m above Sea Level, Leeurivierberg; 1 628 m above Sea Level, Middelrivierberg; 1 405 m above Sea Level and Klipspringerkop which is; 1 127 m above Sea Level. Numerous Streams drain these Mountains, flowing into many of the Western Cape’s; Primary River Systems and supplying the Agulhas Plain and Overberg Wheat-Belt with Water! The Plateau-like Southern Slopes at the foot of the Langeberg are deeply cut by, various Rivers. Boosmansbos Wilderness Area, near Heidelberg is more or less Centrally Situated in the Southern Langeberg. Here Grootberg, which is 1 627 m above Sea Level, is the the Highest Peak! There are Fault Valleys at Higher Elevations and to the North, a Series of Sandstone Ridges interspersed with shallow Valley's which give way, to a Mesa-Like Plateau of Gravel and Sandstone Conglomerates. The South-facing Slopes above Bergfontein are not as steep as those further West. A prominent, isolated low Ridge, known as the Koksposberg, runs along the Front of the Mountain. This Hill and others similar to it, range in Altitude from 457 m to 727 m, above Sea Level. There are no deeply Incised Valleys and the Topography is relatively flat; in comparison to that of the Western Langeberg! In the Garcia Forest Reserve, West of Garcia’s Pass the Peninsula Formation Sandstone, forms some impressive Peaks: Sleeping Beauty, 1 343 m above Sea Level; Korinteberg, 1 330 m above Sea Level; Stinkhoutbos, 1 341 m above Sea Level and Phesanteberg, 1 330 m above Sea Level. These are the Tallest Peaks in this Region! Numerous Watercourses dissect the Sandstone Slopes. To the North of the Langeberg, the Mesic Sandstone Ridge gives way to arid Sandstone Slopes, which in turn make contact with the Bokkeveld Shale, of the Little Karoo!
The Langeberg falls in the Transition Zone between Year-round and Winter-rainfall Areas. In Summer, the Mountains trap onshore, moisture-laden, South-easterly winds and Orographic Rain Falls. In Winter, the prevailing North-Westerly and South-Westerly winds bring rain associated with sub-Antarctic cold fronts! Although micro-climates significantly affect local rainfall, in general the lower Slopes receive about 600 mm and the upper Slopes and High Peaks receive 1 400 mm of rain per Annum, falling mostly in Spring and Autumn. Snow and mist occur Annually. Temperatures are moderate and range between 2.9 °C in Winter and 30 °C in Summer!

Shrubbery: The Mesic Mountain fynbos is dominated by a multitude of Communities, the primary constituents of which are plants of the Proteaceae, Ericaceae and Restionaceae families! Patches of Afro-temperate Forest occur in deep, secluded Valleys on the Southern Slopes of the Range, while the Northern Slopes, host Karroid scrub.
Birds and Animals: The Langeberg and surrounding Plains hold a remarkable number of Avian Habitats that support many restricted-range and Bio-me Restricted Assemblage Species. A total of 206 bird species has been recorded. This Area is also Home to several special vertebrate species!