Bethulie is situated on the northern banks of the Gariep Dam, only 17 km west of the confluence of the Caledon and Orange River. Experiencing the rustic milieu of this farming centre is as evocative as the town’s many historical buildings and it’s scenery. This carefully preserved charm has turned Bethulie into one of the Free State’s meccas for artists, where the surrounding prairies and large tracts of water provide fruit for the imagination and space for the survival of nature. Patrick Mynhardt, famous South African actor, was born in Bethulie, and has given the town a renown from his deliciously droll monologue called The Boy from Bethulie, which depicts with subtlety, the life of a small boy growing to manhood in such an amiable place. The Tussen die Riviere Game Reserve east of Bethulie, reputedly supports more game than any other sanctuary in the Free State. Species to be seen include white rhino, Burchell’s zebra, wildebeest, antelope and a spectacular variety of birdlife.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Cape Town 878 km (Via the Gariepdam), Aliwal North 86 km, Bloemfontein 180 km, Burgersdorp (via Venterstad) 52 km, Spring fontein 36 km, Gariepdam 56 km

Altitude: 1350 m above sea level

Average Rainfall: 400 mm per annum

Average Temperatures

Summer 12°c – 38°c; Winter 8°c – 20°c

Banks: Absa, Fnb

Dams: Gariep

Mountains: Krugerskop (1589 m), Spitskop (1575)

Rivers: Caledon, Orange

HISTORICAL VIEW

Bethulie has the distinction of being the only town in South Africa whose name has changed no less than five times. The town developed around a London Missionary Society station called Groot Moodenaarspoort (1829), a named derived from the large scale murder of Griqua and San during Basotho raids in the region. When, in 1833, the station was taken over by the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society, they named it Caledon, presumably after the river nearby. This caused confusion as there was already a town by this name in the Cape. The name was then changed to Verhuellpolis (1835), in honour of CH Verheull, first president of the Society. The Society then decided that a biblical name would be more fitting, and once again the name was changed , this time to Bethulia, meaning ‘Chosen by God’. In 1862 the Dutch Reformed Church applied for permission to establish a town near the mission, it was approved, and on 4 March 1863 the town was proclaimed as Heidelberg. This again caused major confusion as two towns, one in the Cape and the other in the Transvaal, already carried the same name. In 1872 the name was reverted to Bethulie (original Bethulia)

Burgher Monument and Graveyard

Apart from the Burgher Monument, the graveyard contains the graves of several British soldiers.

Chief Lepoi’s Dwelling

Part of original house still in existence

Dutch Reformed Church

Completed in 1887 – now a national monument

Grave of JJ Venter

Former acting president of the Free State Republic (1863). Venter also helped with the founding of the Gereformeerde Kerk (Reformed Church) in the Free State.

Grave of Pellisier Family

In the grounds of the museum are the graves of Pellisier family, of whom five children are buried here. The Rev Jean Pellisier was the first French missionary stationed here. Jean Pellisier died in Bethulie in 1867.

Louw Wepener Monument

Wepener, who led the Free State commandos in the second of the Basotho war, is honoured by this memorial – on the Springfontein Road. Wepener were killed while storming the Basotho mountain stronghold of Thaba Bosiu

Monument in honour of the horse

This commemorates the role of the horse in the history of South Africa

Original Concentration Camp Area

Commemorates the largest concentration camp of the Anglo Boer War. Bethulie and Novalspont has the distinction of being the first places where British concentration camps were erected and used during the Anglo Boer War. As there was a possibility that the area where the camp was located would be flooded with the building of the Gariep Dam, it was decided to move the graveyard to it’s present location, 3 km from town. The original cairn and two monuments can still be seen.

The new Consentration Camp Graveyard was unveiled by State President CR Swart in October 1966. The remains of 1737 people were exhumed from the Gariep Dam site and reburied here.

Ox Wagon Monument

Situated in town. A tribute to the mode of transport employed by the Voortrekkers

Pellisier House Museum

The museum is housed in the original mission station buildings and depicts the history of the area, including an exhibition on the Anglo Boer War and concentration camp. Built in 1834 – 1835 by C Gosselin, craftsman of the French Missionary Society. One of the oldest buildings north of the Gariep.

Remains of Kraals and Graves

Not developed as tourist sights, yet an inherent part of the early history of Bethulie.

Ruins of British Fortresses

Although not developed as tourist sites there are still a number of remains of British ramparts and other defence constructions surrounding the town.

NATURE

Mynhardt Game Reserve

Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve

Landscape, Plants and animals

The nature reserve, with an area of approximately 22 000 ha, is situated at the confluence of the Orange and Caledon Rivers in the southern Orange Free State. The rivers are separated by open veld interspersed with ridges. Dolerite formations contribute to the rugged appearance of the landscape, which is an unique characteristic of the nature reserve. Wild olives, besembos, karee, kiepersol and white stinkwood are common along the ridges, while the open veld consist of grass interspersed with karoo bushes. Riverine vegetation along both rivers consists of weeping willows, Cape Willows, soetdoring trees and bloubos. White rhino, zebra, kudu, eland, gemsbok, black and blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, impala, blesbok, mountain reedbuck, springbok, duiker, steenbok and klipspringer can be seen in the nature reserve and provide pleasant game viewing for visitors. Baboon, vervet monkey, yellow mongoose, ground squirrel and hare are often seen. Most of the small mammals are nocturnal, but fortunate visitors may also spot the aardwolf, bat eared fox, aardvark, hedgehog, porcupine, springhare and small spotted genet. Apart from the more common bird species like guinea fowl, francolin and korhaan, the reserve is also home to black, Martial and Fish Eagle.

Facilities

The fully equipped chalets each have a barbeque and a car port. A separate lounge with an equipped kitchen, dining room, bar and barbeque may be hired for meetings and functions. The hunter’s camp offers accommodation in the form of simple shelters. Each shelter has it’s own barbeque and lapa. A central ablution block is shared.

Recreational Activities

There are three hiking trails. The Middelpunt Trail, a circular route of 7 km, takes the hiker from the office past the confluence of the Caledon and Orange Rivers. The Klipstapel and Orange River Trails both share a common starting point, Spes Bona, where there are overnight facilities. Hikers must take along their own hiking equipment. The Klipstapel Trail leads past unique dolorite formations, some of them pillar like. The Klipstapel and Orange River trails cover a distance of 12 km and 16 km respectively. These two routes are moderately difficult, and hikers must carry water. The nature reserve with it’s variety of animal species and interesting semi karoo landscape, makes game viewing a pleasant experience. Surplus game is offered annually to hunters. Hunting applications close at the end of February. Nature conservation courses are presented to groups upon request.

Climate

Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve has a climate that is transitional between that of the Karoo and Highveld. Summers are hot and dry with an average annual rainfall of 400 mm. the winters are cold and ideal for hunting.

What, Where and When?
The reserve is open to hunters only during the hunting season, i.e. from May to September. The entrance gate to the nature reserve is situated on the road between Bethulie and Smithfield (R701). The reserve lies approximately 65 km east of the N1, and 15 km from Bethulie. No pets are allowed. No motor cycles are allowed. Firearms and other weapons must be declared at the entrance gate. Silence after 21:00.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Bethulie Show – April

Arts and Crafts

Including leather work, pottery, painting and woodwork

DH Steyn Bridge

At 1,2 km in length, the longest bridge in the country.

Klaversfontein Angora Rabbit Farm - 15 km outside Bethulie

ACTIVITIES

Outdoors

4 x 4 Route, Bird Watching, Game Viewing, Hunting

Hiking

Hamerkop Hiking Trail, Tussen die Riviere Hiking Trails

Accommodation in and around Bethulie