In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · South Africa
Petrusville
Skip Petrusville unless you need a stop on the R48 between Kimberley and the Orange River: half a day for the Vanderkloof Dam wall and a meal at Gobble and Go.
Petrusville is a small Northern Cape town on the R48, 2.5 h from Kimberley. Its main draw is the Vanderkloof Dam, 15 km away — the second-largest dam on the Orange River with South Africa's highest dam wall (108 m). The town itself has a single fast-food outlet and a craft shop. Most travellers use it as a lunch stop or a short detour on the way to Colesberg or Orania.
- Country
- South Africa
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (very hot), Jul–Aug (cold nights)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ZAR
- Money
- Currency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere in cities and at lodges; carry small cash for tips.
- Daily spend
- Budget R400–600 excl. bed · Mid R600–1,000 excl. bed · High R1,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper. Buy at the airport shop with your passport (RICA registration is required).
- Emergency
- Mobile emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types M, C, N · 230 V · 50 Hz · The big round-pin type M is rarely used elsewhere; buy a local adapter at the airport or any supermarket.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.; Fuel attendant: R5–20, more if they wash windows and check tyres.; Car guard: R5–20 when you leave.; Safari ranger and tracker: About R150–300 per guest per day for the ranger, R100–200 for the tracker — check lodge guidance.; Hotel porter: R10–20 per bag.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.
- Toilets
- Clean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at Buzzzzy Beez | R15–25 |
| Fast-food meal at Gobble and Go | R60–100 |
| Craft item at Buzzzzy Beez | R50–300 |
| Fuel per litre (petrol) | R23–25 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KIM · Kimberley Airport
- 2.5 h drive on the R48; flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town
Typical fares
- Kimberley → Petrusville (R48)
- about 2.5 h drive, no public transport
- Petrusville → Vanderkloof Dam
- 15 km (9.3 mi), 20 min drive9.3 mi (15 km), 20 min drive
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
You need a car. The R48 is the main road; the dam is a 15 km (9.3 mi) drive. No public transport within the town.You need a car. The R48 is the main road; the dam is a 9.3 mi (15 km) drive. No public transport within the town.
See and do
Known for
- Vanderkloof Dam (highest dam wall in South Africa)
- Gobble and Go transport café
- Buzzzzy Beez craft and antique shop
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Vanderkloof Dam | Drive 15 km (9.3 mi) from Petrusville on a paved roadDrive 9.3 mi (15 km) from Petrusville on a paved road | About 20 min |
| Orania | Drive via the R48 and R369, about 1 h | About 1 h |
| Colesberg | Drive east on the R48, about 1 h | About 1 h |
Sleep
- Petrusville town centre
- Limited accommodation; check for guesthouses or self-catering units.
- Vanderkloof village
- About 15 km (9.3 mi) from Petrusville, near the dam; more options for overnight stays.About 9.3 mi (15 km) from Petrusville, near the dam; more options for overnight stays.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hallohah-loh |
| Thank you | Dankiedahn-kee |
| How much is it? | Hoeveel is dit?hoo-feel is dit |
| Where is the dam? | Waar is die dam?vahr is dee dahm |
| Can I pay by card? | Kan ek met kaart betaal?kahn ek met kahrt buh-tahl |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say hello and ask how someone is before any request; avoid: Launching straight into a question
- Handshakes: Three-part African handshake with friends; a normal handshake with strangers; avoid: Refusing an offered hand
- Elders: Use Mr/Mrs or 'Mama', 'Baba' respectfully in townships and rural areas; avoid: First names with older people you have just met
- Braai invitations: Bring meat or drinks, and arrive on 'African time'; avoid: Taking over the fire
- Photos: Ask first, especially in townships and villages; avoid: Photographing children without a parent's permission
- Politics and race: Ask questions and listen; avoid: Lecturing on history or crime
Scams and watch-outs
- Fuel stations are scarce; fill up in Kimberley or Colesberg.
- The Vanderkloof Dam website is dead; check current access with the local municipality.
- Gobble and Go may close early or on Sundays — call ahead.
Petrusville is a quiet rural town. Standard precautions: lock your car, don't leave valuables visible. The dam area is safe during daylight.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Petrusville yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Vanderkloof Dam (highest dam wall in South Africa)
- Gobble and Go transport café
- Buzzzzy Beez craft and antique shop
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Petrusville, revision 5329567 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5329567
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Petrusville
Na hierdie adres, asseblief
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Mobile emergency112
The US has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate in Cape Town; most other countries have embassies in Pretoria.
Afrikaans is widely spoken; English is understood.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/petrusville). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.