Places of Interest in Van Wyksdorp

Take a walk about town to discover a myriad of cultural gems in the form of old Karoo architecture and gardens. There are several places of worship but the most prominent is the beautiful NG Kerk Van Wyksdorp. Housed in one of this church’s annexes is Spekkies – a Spekboom project managed by Jobs4Carbon.

Furthermore, other interesting places include;

Saamwerk project, an employment project run by Oasis, employing people from the local community. Cement bricks, concrete bench and table sets and backed benches are made at Saamwerk. The table/bench sets and backed benches can be viewed at the Saamspeel Community Park across the road. Price lists and order details are available at Oasis.
Oasis Community Centre, which houses the municipal library, a creche and after-care centre, a vegetable garden and several small projects so that the unemployed, the elderly; and many others can be supported and learn valuable skills.

NG KERK

The construction on the church building was started in November 1906 and completed in February 1908. The church can seat 700 people, although the community today is much smaller. The organ was donated by the NG Church in Riversdale, and was transported to Van Wyksdorp by ox wagon. The church holds fund-raising bazaars twice a year, and every 5 years there is a festival, when many people who have had a previous connection to the church or Van Wyksdorp, flock to town for a long weekend of fun, entertainment and fund-raising. The next Festival will be in September 2029.

SAAMSPEEL COMMUNITY PARK MARKET

Saamspeel Community Park was created by members of the community with funding from Lottoland Help ‘n Dorp in 2025 and additional private donations.

A community upliftment project, the existing tennis court was resurfaced to provide a multi-sport surface to include tennis, netball and basketball. The facilities provide a venue for the development of sport at the local primary school, community sport, and a tennis club.

In addition to the tennis court upgrade, the entire area was given a makeover, planting trees and creating a new market area which is now home to the Van Wyksdorp Market held every Saturday morning at 10 am. The locals bring their produce and good spirit to gather and barter farm produce, homemade food, clothing, artworks and bric a brac.

It is definitely worth a visit if you want to feel the fabric and the vibe of the village.

STREET ART

Take a stroll around the village and admire the street art created by various community artists on the walls of private and public buildings in Van Wyksdorp.

Street art is regarded as one of the largest art movements. Local artists were challenged to create paintings when the village was awarded the Lottoland funding in 2025, and forms part of the beautification project of the town.

BLUE SKY ORGANICS

Blue Sky Organics is the trade name for Buffelshoek farm, a certified organic farm outside Vanwyksdorp in the Klein Karoo.

A glowing and verdant example of working with nature and allowing the already existent incredible and intelligent natural eco-systems to heal. Van Wyksdorp is an excellent example of landowners living and farming sustainably.

SPEKKIES

The Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR) has produced a biosphere-supporting product that will be used to augment restoration and community upliftment efforts run by the GCBR. This product is none other than our most beloved Portulacaria afra, better known as spekboom.

Spekboom has been identified as an exceptionally efficient carbon sequestrator (for a semi-arid plant species), and is being promoted throughout ecological and scientific communities as a climate change mitigating species.

VAN WYKSDORP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

The Van Wyksdorp Development Institute (VDI) is a not-for-profit company aimed at the socio-economic upliftment of poor rural communities, primarily in Van Wyksdorp and the surrounding Klein Karoo.

The means to achieve the Vision and Mission is the establishment of a learning campus that provides the environment and opportunity to learn skills and incubate entrepreneurial activities in the community.

Places to Visit in Van Wyksdorp

THE MALL

Situated in the ‘main street of Van Wyksdorp, The Mall is within walking distance of the local superettes and other small businesses in the area.
They also have a covered patio for our shoppers to enjoy even the rainy days and an enclosed play area with swings and a sandpit for the kids.
The Mall sells almost anything you can think of including hardware, clothing, outdoor apparel and shoes, stationery, toys and gifts, and more.

THE DUSTY DOG

Nestled along the main road, a must-visit destination awaits you! Formerly known as Spekboom Restaurant, we have undergone a stunning transformation to become the go-to gourmet gastro pub in town.

ROOIBERG LODGE

The Lodge is situated in the heart of the Little Karoo, nestled in the foothills of the Rooiberg Mountains, covered in fynbos and Karoo succulents.
Enjoy a nice getaway on the deck overlooking a watering hole. Wine & dine in our thatched restaurant, or under the twinkling Karoo night sky.
We strive to provide our guests with the opportunity to meet new and old friends, exchange stories, and enjoy the spectacular mountain views.