Northern Cape
The
Northern Cape is South Africa’s largest and most sparsely populated
province. Characterized by big skies and wide open spaces, this province consists
mainly of semi-desert. For the adventurous tourist or holiday maker, the Northern
Cape will however reveal its many diverse sides, showing that it is anything but
dry and drab desert.
The capital of the Northern Cape is
Kimberley, which literally
developed around
'The Big Hole' – an open shaft diamond mine. By
the turn of the century, Kimberley had become the diamond capital of the world after
hordes of prospectors swarmed to the town in the greatest diamond rush ever. The
Big Hole at Kimberley is still a major tourist attraction today and forms the centre
of the Northern Cape’s Diamond Fields. Kimberley is a modern city, with hotels,
shopping centers, art galleries and wonderful architecture. Many old buildings,
museums and one of South Africa’s most important art galleries lend an historic
ambience to the city. Accommodation can be found in a number of hotels and guest
houses in this historic old city. Other towns in the diamond fields include
Barkley West and
Warrenton .
The blankets of red sand in the sundrenched
Kalahari not only support
a number of game farms but also cover the rich mineral wealth of the region. Apart
from the game farms, with its luxury accommodation and game viewing, other popular
tourist attractions of the Kalahari include the
Kalahari National Park
and the
“Eye” of Kuruman, a remarkable spring that pumps out 25 000 liters of crystal clear water
every day.
This area was once a vast inland basin and although the area is semi-arid, the seemingly
dry soil of the Karoo bursts into abundant life, after the first rains, creating
sustenance for the thriving sheep farming community in the area. Towns and villages
are mostly small and isolated, but the warm hearts of the people, the distinct
Karoo architecture makes any visitor to the area feel welcome. The
main destinations in the area include
Sutherland, home of the world
renowned
SALT telescope or Southern African Large Telescope and
Colesburg, a perfectly situated stopover for travelers from Gauteng
and KwaZulu Natal to the Western Cape. Accommodation can be found in most towns,
including
De Aar,
Hopetown and
Loxton.
In stark contrast with the bleak semi-desert of the Karoo and the Kalahari lies
the fertile green valleys of the
Orange River which flows through
the Northern Cape. The area is known as the
Green Kalahari because
of the lush green vineyards on the banks of the Orange River. Arguably the most
awe-inspiring natural wonders of the Northern Cape is the
Augrabies Waterfall,
where the shimmering Orange River crashes into a deep granite gorge, creating a
spectacular display of sound, water and light. Another main tourist attraction of
the Northern Cape is the mighty
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Africa’s
first transfrontier park, a vast area of sparsely vegetated, red sand dunes and
dry riverbeds, where lions and the leopard, cheetah, gemsbok, springbok, and hyena
roam can roam free. Accommodation in the area is fairly sparse and mainly in the
form of B&B’s guest houses and camping. Towns in the area include
Augrabies,
Groblershoop,
Upington,
Kakamas
and
Keimoes.
One of mother nature’s most spectacular displays and also one of the main attractions
of the area can be found in the
Namaqualand region of the Northern
Cape. Every year, following the winter rains, the sere browns and ochres of the
semi desert are transformed into an iridescent carpet of multi-coloured flowers
as far as the eye can see. The main flower-viewing areas are around the towns of
Nieuwoudtville,
Garies,
Kamieskroon
and
Springbok. Apart from the spectacular flowering region, the
Namaqualand is indeed a varied landscape ranging from the quaint
town of
Hondeklip Bay and other sparsely populated seaside villages
on the West Coast of South Africa, to the gigantic boulders outside
Garies.
There are a number of game reserves and game farms in the area which offers quality
and luxury accommodation. Guest houses and B&B’s can be found in most towns
in the Namaqualand, including
Alexander Bay,
Calvinia,
and
Port Nolloth.
The Northern Cape is definitely a worthy visit for any tourist in South Africa.
Apart from the awe inspiring Augrabies Falls, the spectacular flower display in
the Namaqualand and the natural diversity of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the
Northern Cape offers a variety of activities, including hiking, canoeing, game and
bird viewing, 4x4 trails and viewing of ancient San rock art, to mention but a few.
All of this is complimented by a number of different accommodation options, ranging
from hotels, guest houses, family resorts and camping sites.