Aliwal North

Afrikaans name: Aliwal-Noord

Aliwal North seen from the north

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Eastern Cape

Strangely the town of Aliwal North gets the first part of its name from a battle that took place in India in 1846 where Sir Harry Smith defeated the Sikhs at the Battle of Aliwal. Sir Harry later became Governer of the Cape Colony and was influential in extending the colony to the site where the town now stands.

One of the most well-known features of Aliwal North are its hot springs which supply 3 million litres of water a day.

There are a number of historic buildings, dating back to the 1800's, in the town including the De Wet Museum, Market Hall and British blockhouses built during the Anglo-Boer war.

Aliwal North was the site of a concentration camp during the Anglo-Boer war and there is a memorial to the 720 women and children who died in the camp.

The Buffelspruit Nature Reserve is near the town. Here one can see a variety of game including Springbok, Impala, Red Hartebeest, Eland, Gemsbok and Zebra.

Aliwal North is located on the Orange River at a place that has been used as a crossing point for hundreds of years.

Above - Aliwal North CBD

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Dutch Reformed Church

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - The Catholic Church in Aliwal North

Photo © Johan van Zyl

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References and further reading

Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Year Published: 2019 - Page: 106

Conolly's Guide to Southern Africa - Author: Denis Conolly - Year Published: 1982 - Page: 165

Farm Stall to Farm Stall - Author: Jennifer Stern - Year Published: 2014 - Page: 105

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Year Published: 1995 - Page: 275

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 152

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 226

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 83