Willowmore is a town in Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

The town is situated 140km north-east of Knysna and 117km south-west of Aberdeen. It was laid out in 1862 on the farm The Willows. It is uncertain whether the name is derived from this farm name and that of its owner, William Moore, or from the maiden name of Petronella Catharina Lehmkuhl and a willow-tree near her house.

Willowmore however, had different origins. An Englishman called William Moore had a farm here, at the northern entrance to the magical Baviaans Wilderness, called The Willows. Farmers from all over the district used to gather here and play tennis. It was such an agreeable spot that a town was declared here.

Of course, a grand Mother Church followed.

Modern-day Willowmore still has the pace and the look of yesterday, of a slower tempo of life. Golf has become the most popular sport and the Karoostyle buildings are generally well preserved.

Willowmore occasionally lights up with action when large groups of bikers appear on their super-powered machines, either heading into the Baviaans or further on down to the Little Karoo via places like Prince Albert.

Then there’s the Freedom Challenge, nearly 2 000km of winter cycling through the vast Karoo from the Midlands of KwaZulu Natal down to Cape Town. By the time the riders pass through Willowmore, they’re more than happy to pop in at a delightful restaurant shop called Sophie’s Choice for something hot and sweet.

But if you like your transport a little more sedate, then hop on the Willow Limo and see the town from between the twitching ears of a couple of slow-moving donkeys…