Deneysville - Vaal Dam - Oranjeville

Vaal Dam | Deneysville | Oranjeville

Situated 77km south of Johannesburg the Vaal Dam is South Africa’s second biggest dam by area and fourth largest by volume. It has more than 800km of shoreline and is a favoured destination for water sport enthusiasts. It's one of the popular inland water tourist attractions in South Africa.

There are a number of yacht clubs and two marinas. The dam has its own island which hosts the annual Round the Island race, holder of the Guinness World Record for the largest inland yacht race. Other world class boating events on the dam include Keelboat Week and the Bayshore 200km jet ski race.

The largest town on the Vaal Dam is Deneysville which lies just above the Dam Wall on the Free State side of the Vaal River. Deneysville was established in 1936 and named after Deneys Reitz. The stone cottage on the waterfront which was originally built as a hunting lodge by the Reitz family, is now St. Peter's Church, and has become a popular wedding venue.