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Williston

On 10 July 1768 Johan Abraham Nel of Stellenbosch rested near a fountain close to the Sak river during the birth of his son, planting an almond tree in honour of the event. This tree was eventually to become enormous, and was an oasis in the dry treeless area of the Karee Mountains. In 1845 Johann Heinrich Lutz of Switzerland established a mission station named Amandelboom (Almond tree) at this spot. In 1883 the name was changed to Williston, in honour of the cape Colonel Secretary, Colonel H Willis.

Williston covers an area of 13 264 km² and became an official district in 1926. Today Williston is part of the Karoo Highland Municipality which cover Williston, Fraserburg and Sutherland.

Sandstone folk art route: Unique tombstones, a form of folk art, were chiselled out of local sandstone by James Wright and Cornelius de Waal.

Singing hills: East of Williston stand two hills, each shaped like a sugar-loaf. A footpath leads to the top. From the hills choirs would sing spiritual songs which would echo in harmony all around.

Zakrivier wilderness route: 4 km on the Carnarvon rd, turn right on hte Langbaken rd – 12 km to Walkraal. Riverine rabbits and various scares bird species. Horseriding.

Williston Quiver tree wood: Jaskloof – 95 km on Van Wyksvlei road.

For further info: Karoo Highland Info Centre, tel. 023-5711265

Accommodation:

Williston Hotel
Williston B&B
Soek ‘n Slapie B&B
Hawthorne B&B
Annie’s Inn B&B
Benoudsfontein
Rietvlei guesthouse
Wolfhoek hunting farm
De Rust guestfarm
Zakrivier guesthouse

Augrabies National Park
Barkly West
Calvinia
Colesberg
Delportshoop
Fraserburg
Kakamas
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Kimberley
Kuruman
Modder River
Namaqualand
Nooitgedacht
Pella
Sutherland
Upington
Victoria West
Williston

Witsand

4x4 Routes

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