Best Getaways 
Stoneridge Guesthouse
*Stoneridge Guesthouse is neatly nestled on the hills of Gariep Dam and overlooks the intriguing, yet forlorn valleys of the Bo-Karoo *Stoneridge Guesthouse is centrally located and the ideal stopover for weary travellers. It is situated 40 kilometres north of Colesberg in Central-South Africa *Here one will find comfortable and very well-appointed accommodation. Stoneridge Guesthouse offers 4 double rooms, each with its own en-suite facility. There is also a little splash pool in the gorgeous garden, and our wonderful indoor garden bar and lounge, cool in summer and a fire in winter Stoneridge's peaceful stillness and serenity vows to sooth one's distressed spirit...
Area Info
Gariep Dam is located within the Karoo Heartland, close to the historical towns of Bethulie, Venterstad, Norvalspont and Colesberg, crossing the borders of the Free State, Eastern Cape and the Northern Cape Provinces
The Karoo is an austere land of flat-topped ironstone koppies, stunted vegetation and whirlwinds. It is a vast land, a land of thorns, succulents, aloes and saltbush
The Hottentots called it The Place of Great Dryness.
The name 'Gariep' is derived from the San explanation of 'Red Waters'. Fossil collections in the greater Karoo basin indicate to palaeo-anthropologists that the area had a rich prehistoric hominid era. Artifacts belonging to this area have been carbon-dated to a period in excess of 100,000 years BC
Gariep Dam is the largest freshwater expanse in South Africa situated on the Orange River with a shoreline of 435 km and a surface area of 360 square kilometres. Construction was completed in 1971 and officially opened on the 4th of March 1972.
The dam was originally named H.F. Verwoerd Dam and in 1996 renamed to Gariep Dam
Interesting facts
Height of dam wall: 88 meters
Length of dam wall: 914 meters.
Capacity of dam: 5 673,8 million cubic meters.
Gariep Dam town is the youngest town in the Free State Province and originated as one of the construction towns during the construction period of the dam
During the construction period, the town was known as Oranjekrag and after the official opening of the dam renamed Verwoerd Dam. In 1996 the town was also renamed to Gariep Dam
Units and Rooms
Pams Bay
Guests: 2
A double room (standard double bed) and en-suite bath and shower. Air-conditioning, Flat screen TV, Electrical Blankets, LCD TV with a DSTV Bouquet, Coffee/Tea Facility, Bar Fridge, No Children and Electronic Safe
Aerodrom Bay
Guests: 2
A double room (room with a standard double bed) and a bunk bed and en-suite shower. Air-conditioning, Flat Screen TV, Electrical Blanket, LCD TV with a DSTV Bouquet, Coffee/Tea Facility, Bar Fridge and Electronic Safe
Porcupine Passage
Guests: 2
A double room (standard double bed) and bunkbed en-suite bath with shower unit over bath. It includes the following facilities: Air-Conditioning, an Electrical Blanket, an LCD TV with a DSTV bouquet, Coffee/Tea Facility, a Bar Fridge and Electronic Safe
