subject: Glasgow Pont Hotel: Accomodation near Gariep Dam [print this page] Glasgow Pont Hotel: Accomodation near Gariep Dam
200km South of Bloemfontein in the beautiful, quiet village of Norvals Pont is the Glasgow Pont Hotel. At a mere 5km's drive from the Gariep Dam, the hotel offers the perfect sleep over for visitors to the dam, a halfway house for motorist enroute to/from Cape Town or just travellers looking for a relaxed, historical getaway.
Since 1857 the hotel served trans-orange travellers in the Upper Karoo, and among the famouse guests, presidents Steyn and Brandt enjoyed the warm Karoo hospitality and "lekker" lamb tjops here. After falling off the pont into the freezing Orange River, Steyn and his party quickly headed for the bar and ordered some Cape brandies to get warmed up. The Glasgow Pont Hotel has many similar stories to tell!
Not only does the bar (known to locals as the Thirst) still have the reputation of "warming up" travellers in the icy karoo nights, it also serves ice cold beer (you'll need one on a hot summer's day), whiskey, Cape wines and other refreshments and spirits. The Thirst's biggest claim to fame is the fact that it host the longest bar in the Northern Cape, measuring 34 meters. In the time the Gariep Dam was built the bar was extended 3 times to host all the dam builders , engineers etc.
The accommodation is fit for a king, and his family, and his pets (all pets are welcome, if accompanied by atleast 1 human)!! The extended family room offers a queen size bed and 1 bunk bed, but if you have a really big family another 2 bunk beds can easily be added in the spacious room at no extra cost. No King can complain about that! Other rooms include the normal family room and the "dog house" - both with queen size beds and enough space. All rooms have wall heater panels, fans and coffee and tea making facilities.
Outside your car is parked in a secure parking area, and the braai area in the courtyard with tables and seating is ideal for the tired traveller to relax. Even the smokers can take a "smoky" in the shade.
The Glasgow Pont Hotel caters for all walks of life and is central to many activities:
HUNTING: The Karoo is famous for extended hunting fields and several game farms in the area has hunting packages available. The hotel management can point you in the right direction, and even offers a walk in freezer.
FISHING: For fly fishing and carp fishing the Gariep Lake covers more than 365 square km's of unequal fishing spots. Don't worry about "letting the big one get away", if you forgot your gear, you can hire it at the hotel.
HISTORICAL WALKS: Take a guided tour to places of interest from the boer war, starting at the hotel where historical documents and photo's are displayed. The area surrounding Norvals Pont is rich in history, from the great "Trek" when farmers used the Scotsman, John Norval's Pont to get their oxwagons over the mighty Orange River.
Star Gazing: How about a quiet, lightless, pollution free hour or two spent on your back, gazing at the millions of stars above - Medicine for the soul!
Other nearby activities include: Game viewing (at any of the 3 nearby reserves under the control of the National Nature Conservation Department); water sports at the Gariep Dam; Horse riding; sailing and river adventures, just to name another few.
Glasgow Pont Hotel has it all, however, if just thinking about all the activities leaves you sweating, you can simply relax to the cry of the fish eagle and enjoy a glass of the finest wine while you watch Egyptian Geese fly past.
