South Africa has no shortage of ghost stories, from haunted hotels, castles, and museums to legendary tales from bygone eras. Here is a list of the most haunted locations in the United States.
Cape of Good Hope
The story of "Der Fliegende Hollander" is one of the most popular in South Africa (The Flying Dutchman). According to legend, a Dutch trade ship capsized just off the coast of the Cape of Good Hope in 1941 after succumbing to the grip of a storm. The Flying Dutchman is doomed to sail these stormy seas forever, and legend has it that anyone who crosses its path will perish prematurely.
Karoo National Park
The beautiful Karoo National Park's mountains are frequently shrouded in a thick blanket of mist, which is the inspiration for this story. Locals refer to the “waterspook” (water ghost), and legend has it that the spirit covers the mountain so that it cannot be seen. The erratic ghost is also said to entice livestock into a deep pool, where they drown. The numerous unmarked graves in the area add to the eerie atmosphere.
Matjiesfontein
The Western Cape's old town of Matjiesfontein is famous for its ghost stories, particularly about the Lord Milner Hotel and its surroundings. One of the most well-known stories is that of Kate, a nurse who died mysteriously during the South African War. Visitors to the hotel have claimed to see her staring down from the top turrets and hearing the sound of cards being shuffled.
The Nottingham Road Hotel
Guests and staff have previously reported that the spirit of a woman roams the hotel and its grounds. Charlotte, a prostitute who had fallen in love with a British soldier, was killed after jumping or falling from room ten of the Nottingham Road Hotel. This well-organized ghost appears to move flower arrangements, tidy clothes, and straighten mirrors.
Seweweekspoort
The winding road of Seweweekspoort, also known as Smuggler's Route, was once the main route used by smugglers, runaways, slaves, and outlaws. A tollgate was built in an attempt to combat criminal use of the road, and its ruins can still be seen today. Travelers in modern times have reported seeing the ghost of the first toll gate keeper running into the road late at night. He's also known for flagging down drivers and disappearing soon after.
Smuts House
For over 40 years, General Jan Smuts, a renowned philosopher, scholar, botanist, statesman, and soldier, lived in this historically preserved house. According to legend, the farm was previously owned by a family who fled during the South African War after burying their valuables in the yard, including £30,000 in gold. Many visitors have claimed to have seen an elderly man on the grounds, specifically in one of the bedrooms within the house.
Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope is one of the country's oldest structures and is rumored to be haunted. It is said that the spirit of Lady Anne Barnard, a travel writer, artist, and socialite, frequently appears in the Castle's ballroom. There are also stories about a black hound that leaps at you before disappearing, as well as the lost souls of those who were dragged down into the "Donker Gat" (dark hoof). A windowless dungeon where many were imprisoned and tortured.
Union Dale
Uniondale's ghost is one of the most infamous in South Africa, with a tragic story about the sudden death of two lovers. Maria Roux and her fiancé were allegedly driving just outside town in the late 1960s when their car crashed. Maria is said to walk the road at night asking for a lift back into town and then vanish after getting into unsuspecting motorist’s cars.
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