Albertinia – Home of the Aloe
60 km further on from Heidelburg you will pass by the little town of Albertinia, known as the home of the Aloe. The indigenous Aloe Ferox, or Cape Aloe, grows prolifically in the area and the leaves are collected and drained for its bitter-tasting sap used in the health and skin care industries.
This is the only place in South Africa where the aloe juice and gel are extracted from the colourful aloe species that cover this area during the winter months of June and July. There are two Aloe factories here, right on the main road and their products can be bought all over South Africa. We always stop at the second one, they have a fantastic range of skin products that, as far as we can say, live up to the claims that are made about them.
Residents of the town will have to forgive us for saying that we have never ventured beyond the Aloe Shop, but once you have tried their products you will always come back for more.