- Wes-Kaap
- Leeu Gamka
Leeu Gamka, Wes-Kaap
- Inligting
- Winkels & Dienste (1)
Leeu Gamka is a small village in the Prince Albert municipal district, situated along the N1 between Beaufort West and Laingsburg and along the Cape Town to Kimberley railway line.
This spot is also the coming together of two rivers, the Leeu River and the Gamka River and to the North are the Nuweveld Mountains, and to the South the Swartberge.
As with many towns in central Karoo, Leeu Gamka has a wealth of stories to share. The tallest soldier in the British Empire, Private Schultz, died on an ambulance train passing through here and had to be buried near the station and the last of the magnificent Cape Lions, was spotted and subsequently shot here in 1857. Famous men once paused and rested here, among them were Cecil John Rhodes, Barney Barnato and President Paul Kruger.
Although only a small town, Leeu Gamka has a selection of Bed & Breakfasts and Guesthouses in the town.
Things to do and see
- Dutch Reformed Mission Church
- Dutch Reformed Church
- Leeu Gamka Post Office
- Anglo-Boer War Blockhouse
- Private Schultz Grave
- Hiking
Climate
Leeu Gamka receives approximately 146 mm of rain annually with little rainfall all year round.
Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 14˚C and 30˚C.
Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 2˚C and 23˚C.
Transport
There are daily flights into George Airport approximately 217 Km’s away along the N12. Car hire facilities are available at the Airport.
History
Leeu Gamka began as a place where traveller stopped to rest and refresh,it was a favoured spot because there was drinkable water. It was first named Bitter Water by road builders Thomas and Andrew Bain, because the underground water is hydrogenous (brack).
The discovery of diamonds at Hopetown in 1867 and at Kimberley in 1868, benefited Leeu Gamka as traffic on the road increased vastly and with the railway came the stone station buildings, railway single quarters and a hotel.
The final name change came in 1950 when Leeu Gamka was chosen as the small towns name. These are names of the two rivers that meet here, Leeu meaning Lion in Afrikaans and Gamka, a Khoisan word, also meaning Lion.
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