Facts about Hartebeespoort Dam
Hartbeespoort means "pass of the hartebeest", a species of antelope in Afrikaans. Hartebeespoort Dam is a small holiday town, is also known as Harties. The town is situated close to the Hartbeespoort dam wall, and the villages of Kosmos, Melodie, Ifafi and Meerhof can be found alongside its banks. Hartbeespoort was previously known as Schoemansville, named after General Hendrik Schoeman.
Hartbeespoort dam is located in the North East of the North West Province on the route to Sun City and is within an hours travel from the greater Gauteng area. The Dam is only 15kms from Lanseria International Airport and 80kms from OR Tambo International Airport.
For a Sunday outing, weekend escape, or a week holiday with the family, Hartbeespoort Dam is easily accessible, offering many activities.
It is less than an hours drive from Pretoria or Johannesburg, and the weather all year round is probably the best in the world. However, unlike most of the major holiday destinations being close to the city, Hartebeespoort dam is surrounded by bushveld and the majestic Magaliesburg mountains.
Visit Hartbeespoort if it is romance, a spa day, fine dining, an adrenaline fix, abundant wildlife or a relaxing weekend away you are craving.
You can experience golf courses, balloon flights, game drives and hikes, or shop until you drop at the African market.
The History of Hartebeespoort Dam
Many years ago, a man by the name of General Hendrik Schoeman owned a farm called Hartbeespoort. He had the idea to build a dam for the community benefit.
In 1896 building of the dam wall began in the Crocodile river, near the railway line that today runs to Meerhof. It was the largest Dam in the southern hemisphere. He named this dam "Sophia dam" after his wife but later changed the name to Hartbeespoort dam.
The dam wall cost a staggering R10 000 to build back then.
They decided in 1905 to relocate the location of the dam wall positioned between two mountains. The exact position remains the same today. They hired a Swedish man by the name of August Karlson to engineer the build. However, due to financial problems and the onset of war, construction came to a halt.
Building commenced again in 1918.
Unfortunately, during 1921, torrential rain washed the temporary Dam away. Again construction came to a standstill. Finally, out of sheer frustration, August Karlson resigned from his position.
The council was left with no one to finish the build, so they hired a young but talented engineer named F.W.Scott. With the Dam finally built, they tarred the first road over the bridge. The bridge road became the new road between Pretoria and Rustenburg.
The dam wall, the arch and the road is a proud feature among Hartebeespoort dam residents.
Hartebeespoort Dam wall facts:
The Shape of the dam wall is found nowhere else in South Africa.
- The builders used 250 000 bags of cement for the dam wall.
- With a total capacity, the Dam fills 205 million cubic meters of water.
The weather in Hartebeespoort Dam
Long-range weather outlook for Hartbeespoort:
Taking a look at Hartbeespoort over the coming two weeks, and the average daytime maximum temperature will be around 25°C. A high for the two weeks of 27°C expected on the afternoon of Saturday 22nd. The average minimum temperature will be 16°C, dipping to its lowest on the morning of Monday 17th at 11°C. The coming 14 days will remain predominantly dry. Light, moderate winds are expected.
Winter weather in Hartebeespoort dam is mild. The mornings will drop to cold lows, but the daytime will have twenty degrees and more.
Hartbeespoort has almost year-round sunshine with summer temperatures ranging between 16º C and 29º C. The summer month afternoons have thunderstorms from August to March. Although the winter nights can be cold and drop to below freezing, the average daytime temperature from May to July is 20º C.
24 Activities to do in Hartebeespoort Dam
- Bill Harrop's "Original" Balloon Safaris
- The Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre
- The Elephant Sanctuary
- Ukutula Game Lodge And Conference Centre
- The Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary
- Van Gaalen Kaas Makerij
- Tant Malie se Winkel
- Lesedi Cultural Village
- The Hartbeespoort Dam wall and tunnel
- The Hartbeespoort Dam Snake and Animal Park
- The Hartbeespoort Dam Aquarium
- Transvaal Yacht Club
- Boat cruises & River Rafting
- Scuba diving at Miracle Waters
- Ama Zwing Zwing Zip Line Tours
- Welwitschia Country Market
- Chameleon Village
- Mountain biking and trails
- Leisure golf courses
- Restaurants and Bars
- Arial cableway
- Prettville
- Fishing
- Spa Experience
14 Activities to do at Mr C in Hartebeespoort Dam
- Heated pool
- Deck loungers
- Fireplace
- Table tennis
- Fuss ball
- Board games
- Dartboard
- Pinball machines
- Arcade games
- Homecooked food
- Fully stocked bar
- Luxury rooms
- Wine Cellar experience
- Spa experience
Specials at Mr C in Hartebeespoort Dam
Currently, Mr C in Hartebeespoort dam offers a fifteen per cent winter discount for stays in May. Use the following promo code when you contact and book at Mr C Harties, Promo code: MisterC15.
Winter Wine Cellar experience at Mr C in Hartebeespoort Dam
Mr C Wine Cellar Cheese and wine pairing Taste Sensation:
- Crackers
- Three Meat selections
- Seasonal fruits
- Two cheese selections
- Seasonal extras include olives, marmalade and pickles.
- 1 Bottle of Wine
Once you have enjoyed your cellar moment at Mr C, walk up the stairs and get comfortable and warm by the fireplace listening to the wood crackling, watching the flames jump while sipping on red wine.
The wine list at Mr C offers many wines to choose from to pair with your meat and cheese board. The current red wine favourite is the Rib shack red wine.
What you have to do next
Well, winter is here. It is time for cosy times by the crackling fire, hot food and red wine. So if you contact Mr C today, you can light a fire and snuggle up with board games and red wine, friendly hospitality and home-cooked food.
Contact Mr C Harties to secure your booking.
Tel: +27 65 843 5238
E-mail: info@misterc.co.za