Griquatown, Diamond Fields
Griquatown, more commonly known as Grikwastad, lies on the N8 that links Kimberley with Upington, just beyond the northern reaches of the Nama Karoo, although others will argue it is still within the Great Karoo. It is essentially a sheep farming community that you will find here, reminiscent of a number of little 'outback' towns found in South Africa - sleepy, laidback and predominantly Afrikaans speaking.
Despite this, the town has quite a history. It used to be known as Klaarwater but changed its name to indicate a mixed community that lived here at the beginning of the nineteenth century, originally known as the Chaguriqua tribe - a mixed bunch from Piketberg. They lived amongst the local tribes of the Koranna and Tswana people. Encouraged to do so by the mission station here, the Chaguriqua renamed themselves Griqua, and the town became known as Griquatown.
The town, whose neighbours include other little dorps like Douglas, Prieska, Groblershoop and Putsonderwater (perhaps Putsonderwater is pushing it as far as 'neighbours' go, but it is close enough to qualify), was placed on the map with the discovery nearby of diamonds. Even today it is on the route known as the Diamond Fields, and is well known for semi-precious stones like the jasper and tiger's eye.
Whilst driving through here, or staying on neighbouring farms, try to visit the Mary Moffat Museum whose building dates back to 1826 and was the original mission church of Griquatown, named after the missionary Robert Moffat's daughter (she married David Livingstone). And see the two cannons known as Old Niklaas and Old Grietjie given to the community by Queen Victoria.
The nearby Witsand Nature Reserve, just 20 kilometres south west of Postmasburg (confusingly there is a Witsand in the Western Cape, virtually on the coast) is quite beautiful, and worth a visit.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Sonskyn Hof Guest House
Sonskyn Hof Guest House offers four rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Each room has a smart TV with DStv and Showmax, tea / coffee station, fridge, ...
Die Olyfhuis
Die Olyfhuis offers farm style accommodation in Barkly West. Choose from the seven luxurious double en-suite rooms with double beds or two single...
House Of Eden
House Of Eden offers comfortable accommodation to couples or groups visiting Kimberley in the Northern Cape. The lodge has 20 well-appointed gues...
New Rush Guesthouse
New Rush Guesthouse offers guests accommodation where they can experience the Diamond City as it was 100 years ago. Experience luxurious lodging ...
Mattanu Private Game Reserve
Mattanu Private Game Reserve is located just 50km from the diamond city of Kimberley and 17kms from Barkly West. Accommodation is offered on a Di...
Sweet Dreams Guesthouse
Sweet Dreams Guesthouse offers comfortable accommodation in Kimberley. Each one of our double rooms has a King-size bed and an en-suite bathroom ...
Hillcrest Hosting
Hillcrest Hosting offers cosy overnight accommodation in Kimberley in two rooms located on the owner's property in Hillcrest. The property is ide...
Kimberley Boutique Guest Lodge
Kimberley Boutique Guest Lodge is located in Hillcrest, Kimberley. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation within easy reach of numerous shops...
The Kimberley Club
The Kimberley Club, famous since 1881, is an historical 4-star boutique hotel situated in the Kimberley CBD area, providing luxury accommodation,...
Noteworthy attractions
Kimberley Golf Club
With its famous 'Big Hole' where adventurous prospectors dug for diamonds, the town of Kimberley is steeped in history - and so too is the Kimber...
The Big Hole
Kimberley developed around this huge hole in the ground, formerly a small hill known as Colesberg Koppie, where diamonds were discovered early in...
Mokala National Park
Mokala is one of South Africa’s newest National Parks, situated approximately 80km south-southwest of Kimberley, and west of the N12 freeway to C...
Diggers' Memorial
The Diggers’ Memorial depicts five life-sized miners holding up a diamond sieve, high above their heads. Their strength and power is seen as they...
Kimberley Mine Museum
Situated next to The Big Hole, this open-air museum (one of the finest in the world) depicts Kimberley in its Victorian heyday during the diamond...
Benfontein Nature Reserve
Benfontein Nature Reserve, which lies near Kimberley in the Northern Cape, roughly 430km from Johannesburg, is the one place in the country where...
Dronfield Nature Reserve
Lying just off the N12, a mere 10km north of Kimberley, Dronfield Nature Reserve is on the De Beers Diamond Route. The game farm is a favourite w...
Kamfers Dam
Kamfers Dam is particularly significant for its being one of the very few breeding sites for the Lesser Flamingo, which is smaller and paler than...
St Cyprian's Anglican Cathedral
This understated old parish dates back to 1871 when the congregation met in diggers' camps in the nearby New Rush on the Diamond Fields, later ca...
Find accommodation in Griquatown
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Northern Cape Accommodation / Diamond Fields Accommodation / Griquatown Accommodation