Saddle Down Lodge

Aliwal North is a town located on the Orange River, in the Eastern Cape Province and celibrated its 150th birthday in May of 1999.

The principal assets of Aliwal North are two hot mineral springs, both of which have extremely high concentrations of minerals and gases (34.3 deg C.) These springs are thought to be very therapeutic for the sufferers of arthritis and rheumatism.

Aliwal North is named in tribute to Sir Harry Smith. Sir Harry Smith, then Governer of the Cape Colony, formally founded the small town of Aliwal North in the Cape Province of South Africa in 1850. He named the town Aliwal North in memory of his victory over the Sikhs at the Battle of Aliwal during the First Sikh War in India in 1846.

The park in the centre of Aliwal North, the Juana Square Gardens was named after Smith's wife Juana Maria de Los Dolores de Leon.

The statement of the area and its development in to the town of Aliwal North probably is in no little way connected to the presence of good water, thermal springs and a good fording place ("drift") across the Orange River, just below its confluence with the Kraai River.

Aliwal North was laid out in 1849 on land acquired by the government. This was auctioned and 38 plots were sold for £972. Which seem a small sum by today's standards, but a lot more in those days.

The many surrounding caves and rock shelters on farms in and around Aliwal North are treasure troves of San rock artwork/cave paintings.