About Hartenbos

An ideal seaside holiday destination, Hartenbos offers an exciting mixture of history, hospitality, culture and entertainment, all steeped in scenic surroundings. From history buffs to nature-lovers, this Garden Route town has something for everyone.

Currently under the Mossel Bay municipality, Hartenbos was originally a farm offered to Esaias Meyer, a local farmer, as a reward by the Dutch East India Company after he helped shipwrecked sailors. Meyer called the farm Hart en Bosch (deer and bush). In 1933, South African Railways and Harbours turned the town into a holiday resort for their employees. The Afrikaanse Taal en Kultuurvereniging'( ATKV) purchased the town. Since then the town has flourished into a seaside holiday destination.

With the Hartenbos River and the beach nearby, the town offers excellent watersports, swimming and fishing opportunities. Hartenbos houses Hartenbos Museum which commemorates the Great Trek, the Langeberg Mall and a variety of flea markets. Throughout the year, the town host cultural festivals, mostly in celebration of Afrikaner culture.

The town of Hartenbos receives its lowest rainfall in June and the highest in October with temperatures ranging from 18.6°C in July to 26.6°C in January. If you're seeking genuine hospitality and a great experience, then Hartenbos is the right place for you.