This unpretentious Karoo town is loved by its residents for its laid-back lifestyle and close-knit community.
The quaint town of Willowmore is located in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality of the Eastern Cape about two hours and 20 minutes away from Port Elizabeth.
Louisa Benecke has had a holiday home in Willowmore since 2004 and says you either love the Karoo, with its dry, arid climate and environment, or you don’t. “My husband and I simply adore the Karoo and its climate.”
The couple spend about two weeks out of every eight in Willowmore. They love the tranquillity of the area. “Willowmore is very quiet and ideal if you want to simply relax and pursue a few hobbies – be it DIY, di¬fferent handwork or the arts.”
While the town is mostly peaceful, it can get busy at certain times of the year, particularly when there are annual events such as the Trans Baviaans mountain bike race, the God’s Karoo Women Conference (the female equivalent of the Mighty Men Conference) and the Boerbok Rally Willowmore. There’s also a steady stream of tourists passing through the town, many of whom drive through the Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve.
Willowmore has a rich history. The town was officially established in 1874 after starting out as a trading centre on a farm called The Willows. According to some, Willowmore was named after William Joseph, who occupied The Willows. Others believe the town was named by a farmer who combined the maiden name of his wife, Petronella Catherina Moore, with a large willow tree that stood near their home. The area was occupied by the British Army during the Boer Wars and was unsuccessfully attacked twice by Boer commandos.
The greater Willowmore area, which is the centre of the country’s mohair industry, has experienced a number of severe droughts over the years. The area now has a stable water supply from boreholes on a Baviaanskloof farm called Wanhoop, which the municipality bought in 1967.
Louisa says it’s the people who make Willowmore special. “The respect and acceptance of one another, greeting everyone even if you don’t know their name, the simplicity of life and the empathy and sympathy for social problems are what make it special,” says Louisa. “If you simply want to be quiet, relax and unwind, enjoy the great Karoo weather, go for a walk or cycle around the area on mountain bikes, Willowmore delivers the perfect Karoo experience.”
The Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve also o¬ffers a number of interesting attractions and Willowmore is the ideal point to start or end off¬ a visit into the kloof.
Enjoy the simple life among friendly people without any big city competition or ‘keeping up with the Joneses’, while experiencing the wonderful Karoo atmosphere and climate
-Louisa Benecke, resident.
Things to do in Willowmore, Eastern Cape
- Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve: a diverse landscape with interesting rock formations and a wide variety of plants and animals.
- Pierre Ferreira Hiking Trail: a pleasant short walk to the west of the town, ending at an old British lookout post that was used during the Boer War.
- Aasvoëlberg: the highest point in the area. With special permission, visitors can get keys to farm gates in the area and drive to the top to enjoy the view.
- Bakers Dam: the original water supply to the town, this is a great place to enjoy bird-watching and unspoilt flora.
- The Old Jail: an historic jail that has been renovated and made into a four-star accommodation establishment. It’s well worth a visit.
- The original Blackstone Power Station: built in 1938, the facility offers family-friendly tours.
- The single concrete road from Willowmore to Steytlerville: the road stretches for about 36km of the 89km distance to Steytlerville and is an unusual feature that makes for a road trip with a difference.
- The Willow Limo: an old donkey cart drawn by two well-cared-for donkeys adorned with flowers. It’s a fun way to see the centre of town for a small fee.
- Annette Oelofse Natural Fibre Collections: for a wide variety of natural fibre products including wool, mohair and cotton.
Where to eat in Willowmore
- Sophie’s Choice Coffee Shop: for great coffee and service
- Belly Deli: for amazing pies
- Kapoet Padstal: for quality coffee and fresh food served with a smile
- Lou’s Place: for delicious Karoo meat dishes
- Rietrivier: for wonderful country-style food
Where to stay in Willowmore
- Timbila Private Game Reserve
- Angora Mohair Cottages
- Finchley Farm Cottage
- The Old Jail
- Lapidaria Guest House
- Villa d’Lockyer
- Jumper’s Place
- Poortjie Private Game Reserve
- The Willow Historical Guest House
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
