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THE GREEN KALAHARI
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| Green Kalahari: The Green
Kalahari is a world full of wonders and contrasts. Here is where the lush green vineyards
stand proud in the valley bearing magical fruits not far from where the shimmering Orange
River thunders into a deep granite gorge to create the mighty Augrabies Falls. It’s a
land of genuine natural beauty where the lions and the leopard, cheetah, gemsbok,
springbok, and hyena roam free through beckoning bushman grass, camel thorn and shepherd
trees. As you enter this land, you will soon understand and come to appreciate the land we
call the Green Kalahari. Interestingly, The Green Kalahari boasts the best of both worlds:
unspoiled semi-desert against the lush vineyards that fill the fertile valleys of the
Orange River. This massive body of water makes its way through this harsh and dry
landscape bringing life to the region and an oasis to locals and animals alike. |
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The history of the Southern Kalahari blends
with the history of the people. The San (also known as the Bushmen) are Southern
Africa’s original inhabitants. Many years ago, these hunter-gatherer people roamed
the plains of the Southern Kalahari managing to live happily in these harsh landscapes.
Today, there are only a few San people living near the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.
Their ancestors have left behind many unique attractions detailing their lives and hunting
antics. These include the remains of permanent settlements on the farm Bitterputs in the
Verneuk Pan near the town Kenhardt as well as many fascinating cave drawings and
engravings.
Other historical attractions include Schröder’s and other old mission churches, his
original home, the first water-driven mill, hand-built irrigation tunnels, waterwheels, an
Egyptian-styled hydro power transformer station, a historical camel thorn tree under which
the first town in the region was found, war graves as well as a date palm avenue in
Upington. The Green Kalahari is a word that provokes both the traveller’s imagination
and emotions. It’s a completely different world boasting huge vistas, climatic
extremes and fascinating adaptations to harsh conditions. Nowhere else in South Africa is
the build-up of a thunderstorm as beautiful and dramatic.
Life in the green Kalahari is not only provided by the rare and strange plants, animal
life or vineyards but also comes in a package full of sunlit travel delights. These
include camel back trips, thrilling white water rafting, parasailing on the many pans in
the region, as well as a spectacular afternoon microlight glides above the undulating red
dunes and jagged mountains of Riemvasmaak and the Mier Kalahari with its 35 to 40 meters
high sand dunes. There is plenty to do and see here and something for all different
tastes. For the less adventurous traveller one can explore the abundance of hiking trails
or enjoy canoeing, mountain biking, bird watching, game drives in the national and many
exquisite private game reserves, camping and fly-in safaris. |
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GREEN KALAHARI - DESTINATIONS
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  Upington:
Upington
is the chief city in the Northern Region of South Africa. This dry and hot area is
characterised by desolate deserts and harsh landscapes. However, do not let that deter
you. Upington boasts a marvellous oasis: the fertile and lush Orange River valley which
runs through it. This ... more about » Upington Info |
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 Augrabies: The little town of
Augrabies that lies on the banks of the Orange River has been totally overshadowed by the
Augrabies Falls National Park. Not only does it lie on the border of the park with which
people assume it is synonymous, but very few people know that a town on the edge of the
park that ... more about » Augrabies Info |
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 Askham: When travelling
from Upington and making your way to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, you will come
across the little town of Askham. Askham is situated just 73 km from the park entrance at
Twee Rivieren. Askham originally developed around the school which has a boarding house
built in ... more about » Askham |
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 Danielskuil: Danielskuil
is a rather quiet little town situated in the Northern Cape in South Africa. Fantastic fertile soil and an abundance
of water saw to it that man dwelled in the Daniëlskuil area since prehistoric times.
According to tradition, the name of the town is derived from a natural pit, named ... more
about » Danielskuil |
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| Groblershoop: Situated
in a land of contrasts, at the gateway to the Green Kalahari you will find the little
village of Groblershoop. Imagine arid, undulating hills penetrated by the shimmering
Orange River valley creating a green strip right through and providing life to its
surroundings. The successful stock ... more about » Groblershoop |
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 Kakamas: Kakamas is a
rather small town situated in the Northern Cape of South
Africa. This interesting town was originally built by a church and named after the
Khoi word for 'poor pasture'. Today, this name poorly reflects on a fertile valley in the
lower Orange River, graced with vineyards, cotton ... more about » Kakamas Info |
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 Kanoneiland: A
settlement on the largest inhabited inland island in South Africa. Virtually every inch of
soil is under irrigation. A leisurely drive through the vineyards and lucerne fields is
recommended. Groups of 20 or more can enjoy a special spit-roasted sheep, together with
home-baked bread ... more about » Kanoneiland |
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 Keimos: This attractive
little village in the green Orange River Valley occupies a major agricultural region.
Giant waterwheels are still in operation. The Tierberg Nature Garden is notable for
prodigious numbers of aloes and a panoramic view of the Keimoes Valley. Wine tasting and
tours ... more about » Keimos |
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 Kenhardt: The Kenhardt
landscape is arid but also characterised by a luscious green belt fed by the gorgeous
Hartbees River and by irrigation water from the Rooiberg Dam. This arid land boasts a
fascination of its own, the tedium of brown sand being broken only by black dolerite
boulders ... more about » Kenhardt |
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 Mier: Meir is a
municipality bigger than the Free State Province. This beautiful area includes the
communities of Rietfontein, Philandersbron, Loubos, Klein Mier, Groot Mier, Welkom, Askham
and Noenieput. Mier is situated adjacent to one of the world’s largest conservation
areas, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park » Mier |
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 Olifantshoek: One of
Olifantshoek’s many natural wonders is the roaring sands. The white granular dunes of
the Witsand Nature Reserve are over 100 m high and 10 km long. When disturbed by wind in
hot, dry weather, these dunes emit strange roaring sounds. The white colour of the sands
is ... » Olifantshoek |
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 Postmasburg: Postmasburg
boasts spectacular architecture and many historical sites. An old blue dolomite stone
Reformed Church built in 1908 can be visited. The Reverend Dirk Postma Statue is found
nearby. There is also a rather impressive gun known as “Howitzer Gun” which
stands at the ... » Postmasburg |
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GREEN KALAHARI -
ATTRACTIONS
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 Augrabies Falls National Park: Within
the Augrabies Falls National Park the Orange River is at its most impressive as it
thunders its way through a ravine and into a pool walled by sheer granite. The 28,000 ha
on both the northern and southern sides of the river provide sanctuary to a diversity of
species, from ... Augrabies National Park |
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Kalahari National Park / Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park |
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 Go to » Kalahari National Park / Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park:
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park stretching into Botswana comprises two
million-hectares of sparsely vegetated, red sand dunes and dry riverbeds. Honey Badger,
Pangolin and Bat-eared Fox are some of the park specials, but the predators ... More > |
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Spitskop Nature Reserve |
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 Go to » Spitskop Nature Reserve: The
Spitskop Nature Reserve was named after Spitskop, an impressive granite koppie just
outside the small town of Upington. Consisting mainly of sandy flats interrupted by two
rocky outcrops, the reserve is worth a visit not only for its game, but also for the
dazzling plains ... More > |
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RICHTERSVELD CULTURAL AND BOTANICAL LANDSCAPE (World
Heritage Site) |
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 Recently inscribed as the eighth World
Heritage Site in South Africa, the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape is a
remarkable mountainous desert in the north-west of the country that is uniquely owned and
managed by the Nama community, descendents of the Khoi-Khoi ... Richtersveld Cultural & Botanical Landscape |
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Africa Game Reserves » |
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