The North Cape is the largest of the South African provinces and the least populated. Despite this, the Northern Cape has much to offer visitors, whether their interests lie in the origins of the diamond industry, the Anglo-Boer War, wildlife, the bright spring flowers of Namaqualand, sailing in canoe down the mighty Orange River or enjoy the clear skies. and open spaces of the Hantam and Upper Karoo.
CLIMATE: The North Cape experiences a wide range of climatic conditions due to the respective regions and altitudes. The North Cape enjoys a summer rain, but this is rare. The summer months have long, hot summer days and cool afternoons. Winter days are mild, but nights are very cold and temperatures often drop below freezing. Snow in winter and heavy night frosts are common.
SHOPPING: There are many malls, craft stores, and many ethical vendors on the beach. Good buys include mohair products like sweaters, rugs, and blankets; the famous Karoo Lamb, nuts, diamonds, jewels and gems.
TEN MAIN ATTRACTIONS:
The diamond field:
This area is known as the prairie country of southern Africa, with sun-drenched, grassy plains and acacia trees. For geologists, this is a bewildering delight, and for the tourist, the “Diamond Trail” is an exciting journey, stepping back in time.
Kimberley:
Today, the city is a thriving and prosperous metropolis worthy of the title of “Diamond Capital of the World”. The city is geared towards tourists, with much to offer in terms of accommodation, restaurants, shopping centers, and attractions. See a replica of the city during the largest diamond rush the world has ever seen, as well as ‘Eureka’, the world’s first recorded diamond discovery at the Big Hole and Kimberley Mine museum.
Groenriviersmond:
The Groenriviersmond Coastal Estuary (Green River Mouth) is located southwest of Garies and offers excellent opportunities for crawfish fishing and diving.
Namaqualand:
Spring sees this region transformed from a desert landscape to a carpet of colorful wildflowers, attracting many visitors. Also a playground for adventure tourists, the region offers trails for hiking, canoeing and 4×4. The coast is popular with fishermen and is home to a thriving crawfish industry. Diamonds are also mined from the sea and copper as well. In this region is the world famous Richtersveld National Park.
Hantam Karoo:
Millions of years ago, this area was an inland sea and over time it has been transformed into an arid and rugged landscape with wide plains and mountains. This region is famous to astronomers for its extraordinary night skies and is home to the South African Astronomical Observatory. The region is also known for its spring wildflowers and is home to the rare Sterboom.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park:
Africa’s first cross-border park, Kgalagadi, “the land of thirst”, is shared and crosses the border into Botswana to facilitate the migration of wildlife and the movement of free-roaming predators; The red sand dunes, sparse vegetation, and dry beds of the Nossob and Auob rivers guarantee excellent opportunities for animal watching and photography. Fifty-eight species of mammals and more than 400 species of plants share the desert and dry savanna, while approx. 260 species of birds, including at least 20 species of large raptors, share the sky.
Richtersveld National Park:
Richtersveld, the largest mountain desert park in southern Africa, has 160,000 hectares of lava mountains and sandy plains located on the northwestern bend of the Orange River. It is also one of the most precious and fragile ecosystems in the world. Its strange rock formations, molded and sculpted by the wind and the sun, are a land for those who want to “rough it”. Visitors can explore the area from the comfort of a 4×4 or by paddling long stretches of the river.
Green Kalahari:
Dominating this region are lush vineyards and the massive Orange River, which winds through a giant valley. Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Augrabies Falls National Park, with its famous Black Rhino Adventure, are not to be missed.
Augrabies Falls National Park:
Augrabies Falls, which is one of the five largest waterfalls in the world, plunges 56m into a turbulent maelstrom of foam, mist and rainbows said to contain untold wealth of diamonds and a river monster. This is where the black rhino can be found and visitors can also go on safaris.
Kalahari:
The sun-drenched Kalahari, with its ancient, rolling landscape and endless horizons, conjures up memories of a land before time. This region is home to “El Ojo”, a permanent and abundant source of daily water. Hunting in the area is popular and the Kalahari is home to more than 40 species of raptors and vultures and 7 species of owls.