Ladismith

Ladismith is situated in the Little Karoo at the foot of the Klein Swartberg mountain range. The majestic Towerkop, with it split peak, looms above the town. Local legend has it that an angry witch, flying overhead, struck the peak with her wand, causing the split which today is seen from afar.

The town was established in 1852. Named after Lady Juana Smith, wife of the Governer of the Cape, Sir Harry Smith, the original "Ladysmith" was changed in 1879 to "Ladismith" to prevent confusion with a similarly named town in Kwazulu-Natal.

It serves an extensive farming area with ideal climate for the production of quality fruit - apricots, peaches, plums, nectarines and grapes.
   
Ladismith, as with the rest of the Little Karoo, benefitted from the Ostrich feather boom at the turn of the century. There are still many attractive houses dating from the Victorian era. Amongst the different architectural styles to be seen is one which is unique to the town, the so-called Ladismith style.

Ladismith Tourism Bureau:
South Street, Ladismith
PO Box 390
Ladismith
6655.
Tel: +27(0)28- 551 1378
Fax: +27(0)28- 551 1378

Outdoors and Sport

Buffelspoort Natural Heritage Site  (Tel 028 551-2114)
 
4x4 routes
4 Hiking trails: 3-30km
Canoeing
Mountain biking
Abseiling and kloofing
 
 
Klein Swartberg Mountaineering
 
Towerkop (2197m) - most well-known and difficult climb
Seweweekspoort (2324m) - highest in the Klein Swartberg as well as Western Cape
Peak Wood (2248m)
Steenslang (2232m)
Toorkop (2143m)
Elandsberg (2127m)

Eco/Wildlife

Anysberg Nature Reserve
Tel: 023 - 551 1922.  4x4 routes/horseriding

Towerkop Nature Reserve

Hiking trails
Seweweekspoort

Magnificent Cape ripple-like rock formations
Ladismith Nature Reserve
Tel: 028 - 551 1023.  Wildlife, ie Springbok, Eland/hiking trail (12km)