Albertinia at a glance

Albertinia at the foot of the Langeberg Mountain range is not just a peaceful little town, it is also the home of the Aloe. Here the indigenous Cape Aloe grows in abundance.

Lying between Riversdale and Mossel Bay, Albertinia can trace its beginnings back to 1900 when it was first laid out on the farm Grootfontein, it became a municipality in 1920. It derives its name from the surname of Johannes Rudolph Albertyn (1847-1920), the first Dutch Reformed minister to serve the community

The two Aloe factories situated here are the only places in South Africa where the aloe juice and gel are extracted and the skincare manufacturer situated in the town that uses the Aloe in their products, welcomes visitors regularly to tour their facilities.

Apart from the Aloe, Albertinia is also the primary source of red and yellow ochre, used in the manufacturing of paints and the colouring of cement and linoleum in South Africa. In addition, the area produces the natural thatch reed, Thamnochortus insignis, for commercial thatching and has a large livestock farming community, including ostrich farming.

The Klein Karoo Wine Route, which stretches from Montagu, ends in Albertinia where vineyards tend to be organically cultivated and a variety of quality wines are produced against the mountain slopes. You can hike through the Reins Nature Reserve in Gouritsmond, bungee jump from the Gourits River Bridge, just outside Albertinia, or play a round of golf on one of the few remaining sand golf courses.