Kimberley Mine Museum

About Kimberley Mine Museum

Touted as one of the best open-air museums in the world, the Kimberley Mine Museum is an absolute must for visitors to Kimberley in the Northern Cape. It is situated right next to the world-renowned Big Hole, and tells the intriguing tale of this part of South Africa during its Victorian heyday. At this time, South Africa experienced the boom of the diamond rush, which changed its face forever.

Did you know? Digging commenced at the Kimberley mine site in 1871. By the time mining ended on 14 August 1914, the mine had yielded 2722 kilograms of diamonds, extracted from 22,5 million tons of excavated earth ~ Reference: De Beers.

Touring the Kimberley Mine Museum is a must for visitors to the Northern Cape because it immerses you in the fascinating South Africa of yesteryear and gives context to the Rainbow Nation of today. The exhibits at the Kimberley Mine Museum include a church and a diggers’ town, as well as shops and houses. These combine to set a convincing scene. Barney Barnato's Boxing Academy and the De Beers directors' private railway coach are beautiful features of the museum too, setting it apart.

The Transport Hall contains an assortment of late-19th century vehicles, and De Beers Hall houses a display of uncut diamonds, stones of different colours, and exquisite items of jewellery. Also on display is the 616. At 616 carats, this is the largest uncut diamond in the world. The Eureka is also on display, and was the first diamond discovered in this country.

The museum is next to the The Big Hole, which is a highlight on any visitor’s South African itinerary. The Kimberley Mine Museum is just over five hours’ drive from Johannesburg and the OR Tambo Airport, and less than two hours from Bloemfontein.