View across Gariep Dam reservoir with sailboats on the water, red-roofed lodges in the foreground and rolling hills beneath towering summer clouds.

    Gariep Dam stretches across a vast inland reservoir, where open water, anchored sailboats and surrounding semi-arid hills create one of South Africa’s largest freshwater landscapes.

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    Gariep Dam

    Water Feature

    Gariep Dam is the largest reservoir in South Africa, stretching across a vast expanse of open water where the Orange River is impounded between the rolling plains of the Free State and Eastern Cape. Its immense scale, dramatic dam wall and expansive waterscapes make it one of the country's most distinctive inland photography destinations.

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    Gallery

    View across Gariep Dam reservoir with sailboats on the water, red-roofed lodges in the foreground and rolling hills beneath towering summer clouds.

    Gariep Dam stretches across a vast inland reservoir, where open water, anchored …

    Water cascading over the Gariep Dam spillway into the Orange River below, with surrounding semi-arid hills and reservoir views in the Eastern Cape and Free State border region.

    Gariep Dam releases a powerful torrent of water over the spillway, showcasing th…

    View downstream from Gariep Dam showing spillway spray, the Orange River channel and surrounding semi-arid hills below the dam wall.

    Mist rises from the Gariep Dam spillway as released water enters the Orange Rive…

    Aerial view of Gariep Dam showing the dam wall, spillway and vast waters of Lake Gariep surrounded by semi-arid hills.

    Aerial view of Gariep Dam and Lake Gariep, South Africa’s largest reservoir, on …

    Water flowing over the spillway of Gariep Dam during a controlled release in South Africa.

    Water surges over the spillway of Gariep Dam during a controlled release, creati…

    Aerial view of Gariep Dam, marina and resort facilities on the shoreline of South Africa's largest dam.

    Aerial view of Gariep Dam and the Gariep Dam Resort, where marinas, sailing boat…

    Yachts anchored in a marina on Gariep Dam surrounded by hills and the waters of South Africa's largest reservoir.

    Yachts shelter in a quiet marina on Gariep Dam, where sheltered bays and rugged …

    Wide view of Gariep Dam reservoir with islands, bays and surrounding Karoo hills in South Africa.

    Wide view across the waters of Gariep Dam, South Africa's largest reservoir, sur…

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