Hartbeespoort Dam
Hartbeespoort Dam
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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43 within 3 miles
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21 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
248 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
91
Average
49
Poor
11
Terrible
11
mrabotha
Vanderbijlpark, South Africa189 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
If you visit the Hartbeespoort Dam you have to drive across the sluice and through the tunnel. It is scenic. Just get your timing right otherwise this can be frustrating. A single road with a lot of traffic at times can turn this pleasurable scenic 15 minute trip into a frustrating 40-minute nightmare.
Written September 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul R
Richards Bay, South Africa277 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Beautiful setting & with the sluses open it was very scenic. Unfortunately the harrassment from "vendors" adds an uneasy feeling & one needs to be on the lookout at all times. The historical arch is in dire need of maintenance & graffiti left there is sad.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracy H
1 contribution
Mar 2020 • Couples
We loved our night in Hartbeespoort, as our accommodation was awesome. However, before we left this morning we took a walk down to the waters edge and were horrified and frankly disgusted at the beer bottles and plastic bottles all along the waters edge... Why would anyone want to launch their boats there or take a boat cruise. I certainly wouldn't.
As good as the accommodation was, we won't make a trip back due to the filth both in the water and along the road to Cosmos.
As good as the accommodation was, we won't make a trip back due to the filth both in the water and along the road to Cosmos.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duduetsang
Johannesburg, South Africa2 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
The food was amazing, from the Starters to the main Buffet and Dessert. The whole experience was amazing and I will coming back for more!! -if not making it a regular trip. 2 hours spent well and in good company.
Written May 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Petitewave
Perth, Australia995 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
We took a day from the Easter Break to the Hartbeespoort Dam, as we are new to the country, it took us quite some time to get there from JHB. The traffic was bad but it’s understandable due to the Easter holiday, but the thing really put me off was the putrid smell from the Dam. When we were following snale traffic on to the bridge, the bad odour came through the car made me feel sick.
It’s far from pleasant . Very dissapointing.
It’s far from pleasant . Very dissapointing.
Written April 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Naomi P
Ladysmith, South Africa28 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Clean the dam with people that know what they do not contractors that is doing nothing and just het money from the Gavermont and the work is not done
Written August 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travels_Muse
England81 contributions
Sep 2012 • Couples
I haven't been to Hartebeespoort in about 12 years so was surprised on my most recent visit to see how much everything has changed, and yet the main things still feel very familiar. There are several animal sanctuaries around the area, but the Dam itself is well worth seeing and the markets and restaurants are a great place to spend the day too.
If you're driving into the Dam area via the tunnel, there's parking just past the tunnel and to the right and then you can walk back and take some beautiful photos of the Dam wall and the water flowing out into the mountains. The woman selling crafts and curios near this car park was great to have a chat with and she seemed a lot more genuine than some of the other stall holders we encountered in the proper flea market. Some of her goods weren't quite as nice as what you'll get at the other stalls, but we came away having purchased a few things from her and felt very happy for having supported her stall - she even threw in a couple of freebies for us just because she wanted to.
A little further on is Tan' Malie Se Winkel, which serves traditional Afrikaans food. The little shop front is deceptive. Go out the back and down the stairs and they have loads of tables outside in amongst the trees so you can have a proper "eating out in nature" experience. It's like having a picnic without the hassle.
Further along the road you'll come to a small flea market with wooden stalls/chalets. This is the more sedate marketplace so you can enjoy browsing in a relaxed way without too much "encouragement" from the stall holders to buy. There are some lovely crafts and souvenirs, well worth a look. If you have a weakness for pancakes, definitely try the pancake place in the middle.
A little way further along the road and to the left is the much bigger craft village. This was completely new to me this visit. There are a few formal shops and then you enter a large market area under cover with more informal stalls. This was quite an experience. All the stall holders compete fiercely (but in a friendly, fun way) for your business. They'll cajole you to look at their goods, try to persuade you to listen to all sorts of stories and tell you their products are the best. From what I could see, most of them seem to be selling almost exactly the same things or very similar. You can enjoy the banter with them and they'll accept offers for a lower price (they always give you an elevated price to begin with). If you want to negotiate hard, it's very easy to play them off against each other by simply moving onto the next stall. But I could only do this to a point - times are tough and they're all trying to make an honest living so I'd prefer to just pay a fair price and enjoy the banter with them. You may well be exhausted by the time you reach the other side of this marketplace though.
Through the other side you'll find a few lovely restaurants and some great outside space to sit and eat and enjoy some live music as well as various displays. There was a great vibe and atmosphere when we were there - it was our favourite spot during the visit.
On leaving, we went the long way round the dam rather than going back the way we'd come through the tunnel. It was worth it just to get the full view of the dam. We didn't try the cable car this time as my elderly mom was with us and she's scared of heights, but I've heard good things about it.
We'll definitely be visiting here again whenever we're in SA. It pretty much sums up a lot of what I love about the country.
If you're driving into the Dam area via the tunnel, there's parking just past the tunnel and to the right and then you can walk back and take some beautiful photos of the Dam wall and the water flowing out into the mountains. The woman selling crafts and curios near this car park was great to have a chat with and she seemed a lot more genuine than some of the other stall holders we encountered in the proper flea market. Some of her goods weren't quite as nice as what you'll get at the other stalls, but we came away having purchased a few things from her and felt very happy for having supported her stall - she even threw in a couple of freebies for us just because she wanted to.
A little further on is Tan' Malie Se Winkel, which serves traditional Afrikaans food. The little shop front is deceptive. Go out the back and down the stairs and they have loads of tables outside in amongst the trees so you can have a proper "eating out in nature" experience. It's like having a picnic without the hassle.
Further along the road you'll come to a small flea market with wooden stalls/chalets. This is the more sedate marketplace so you can enjoy browsing in a relaxed way without too much "encouragement" from the stall holders to buy. There are some lovely crafts and souvenirs, well worth a look. If you have a weakness for pancakes, definitely try the pancake place in the middle.
A little way further along the road and to the left is the much bigger craft village. This was completely new to me this visit. There are a few formal shops and then you enter a large market area under cover with more informal stalls. This was quite an experience. All the stall holders compete fiercely (but in a friendly, fun way) for your business. They'll cajole you to look at their goods, try to persuade you to listen to all sorts of stories and tell you their products are the best. From what I could see, most of them seem to be selling almost exactly the same things or very similar. You can enjoy the banter with them and they'll accept offers for a lower price (they always give you an elevated price to begin with). If you want to negotiate hard, it's very easy to play them off against each other by simply moving onto the next stall. But I could only do this to a point - times are tough and they're all trying to make an honest living so I'd prefer to just pay a fair price and enjoy the banter with them. You may well be exhausted by the time you reach the other side of this marketplace though.
Through the other side you'll find a few lovely restaurants and some great outside space to sit and eat and enjoy some live music as well as various displays. There was a great vibe and atmosphere when we were there - it was our favourite spot during the visit.
On leaving, we went the long way round the dam rather than going back the way we'd come through the tunnel. It was worth it just to get the full view of the dam. We didn't try the cable car this time as my elderly mom was with us and she's scared of heights, but I've heard good things about it.
We'll definitely be visiting here again whenever we're in SA. It pretty much sums up a lot of what I love about the country.
Written September 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CheréM
Johannesburg, South Africa35 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
Harties is so quiet and after seeing the Dam I was shocked however not surprised in anyway that nothing is happening in Harties. Its disgusting I feel for the residents.
Written October 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smudgemommy
Shannon, Ireland224 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
Such a pity that what could be a lovely area is overshadowed by hawkers who are very insistent (you look like "enter hollywood stars name" here have this hat for free, when you feel bad and try to offer something they are nearly taking the money out of your bag for you. An awful experience considering I didn't even want the bloody hat in the first place. My advice would be don't interact at all. They are so good at reeling you in)
The dam itself could be beautiful, the scenery is amazing but it's full of rubbish and graffiti which is sad to see. Because of the size of the road it's operated by traffic lights so you're a sitting duck for the dozens of people trying to sell you things. Not a pleasant experience.
The dam itself could be beautiful, the scenery is amazing but it's full of rubbish and graffiti which is sad to see. Because of the size of the road it's operated by traffic lights so you're a sitting duck for the dozens of people trying to sell you things. Not a pleasant experience.
Written April 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
483paulan
Illovo, South Africa37 contributions
Jan 2019
Spend a day in Hartbeespoort Dam and sorrounding areas and loved it. There is still so much to be explored but it was a good taste of more to come. Loved the green enviroment and the dam! Its a good place to visit with family and friends. Did not get to know the restaurants as we opted to picnic and it was a great joy.
Written February 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi how much is the giraffe feeding, entrance to little paris, entrance to the upside down house, the boats and the haarties tunnel and is there any accomodation that is less than 1000?
Written December 15, 2022
Is the entrance to the dam free and are there free hiking trails.Is the dam open tomorrow 15 August 2020.
Written August 14, 2020
Is there any registered/qualified aesthetic in the are and please recommend 1 .
Written September 23, 2019
The price for 3adult 2 children check in 24decemmber check out 28decem
Written August 8, 2019
Hi, There are different rooms at Cocomo so be sure to choose the one best suited to your family - and therefore I would suggest you try reach Cocomo directly.
Enjoy.
Written August 14, 2019
Hi. If you are referring to the dam wall and surrounds - no charge (other than car guards). The cable car rates I dont recall but am sure there is a website to google.
Enjoy and apologies for the delayed response. I thought messages popped up automatically.
Written August 14, 2019
i enquire for learners.educational tour. all any information relevant for learners especially geographers. I'm from Burgersfort
Written April 23, 2019
Hi and sorry for the late answer.Kindly contact tourism friendly
They will be able to assist as the have all necessary in formations related to your request.
Regards
Written June 21, 2019
Hello. What is the entrance fee into the Dam?
Written January 3, 2018
There is no entrance fee to see the dam. There are boat rides that are offered by private operators at their rates. You can find out more details on Google.
Written July 10, 2018
Nashy N
Free State, South Africa
Does the tour include accommodation if not please advice uservice on with affordable accommodation for 2nights.2 couples as will be bringing along 2friends
Written June 24, 2017
There is accommodation all around the dam. The best would be to search for the best one depending on your budget requirements. Ty different websites.
Written June 29, 2017
If I stay at HOUTBOSDORP , a self Catering accomadation 2km from the Dam, do I still have to pay entrance fees to the Dam.
Written December 27, 2014
There is no entrance fee to walk on the dam wall but if you want to sail on the dam you must pay the tour guides.
Written October 18, 2018
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