About The Big Hole
A trip to the Northern Cape Province would be incomplete without a detour to include the Big Hole in Kimberley; it is an opportunity not to be missed. What began as a flat-topped hill is today a gaping hole measuring 215 metres deep, with a surface area of 17 hectares and a perimeter of 1.6 kilometres.
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.
What makes Kimberley’s Big Hole that much more interesting is that it is an entirely man-made structure; the largest hand-dug excavation in the world.
It all began as far back as 1866 when a man called Erasmus Jacobs found what he took for a shiny pebble on the Orange River banks. To cut a long story short, it was later sold in London, after it was determined to be a 21.25 carat diamond, for £500. After a further two diamonds were found in the area, a diamond rush ensued and miners arrived in their thousands. The hill disappeared in a flurry of prospection, as picks and shovels yielded 2 722 kilograms of diamonds.
The underground mine at Kimberley reaches a depth of 1097 metres. Underground operations at the Kimberley mines have only recently closed, and the Big Hole has had a massive upgrade to turn it into a tourist experience.
Now visitors can go underground in a recreation of a mine shaft of the period, watch a film that introduces one to diamonds in Kimberley, visit an exhibition centre, take in a diamond display, use the new viewing platform that allows one to get a bird’s eye view of the Big Hole from above, and visit the Old Town to see Kimberley in its heyday.
Need to Know
WhereThe Big Hole, Kimberley, Diamond Fields, Northern Cape, South Africa
WhenDaylight hours.
OvernightStay in Kimberley Accommodation, Northern Cape
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your attraction, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested in
Attractions near Kimberley
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Kimberley

Hadida Guest House
Hadida Guest House offers comfortable, private self-catering accommodation (breakfast on request) in fully equipped, self-contained units, conven...

Mc Kala Guest House
Guests enjoy a friendly reception and neat clean accommodation at Mc Kala Guest House. Rooms are equipped with comfortable beds, flat screen TVs,...

Victorian Guest Lodge
The Victorian style guest lodge provides Bed & Breakfast accommodation for business executives, holiday makers, local and international tourists ...

Paljas en Kandas
Paljas en Kandas is a Kimberley guest house situated in a quiet and safe neighbourhood. The guest house offers clean, comfortable and secure acco...

Caledon Overnight Rooms
Located 3.1km from The Big Hole, Caledon Overnight Rooms provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a shared lounge, ...

Oak Rest Bed & Breakfast
Oak Rest offers luxury accommodation, great hospitality and a wonderful atmosphere under a large oak tree in Kimberley. Accommodation is offered ...

The Nook B&B
The Nook B&B is an establishment in Kimberley. Accommodation is offered on a bed and breakfast basis. There are five en-suite rooms which each sl...

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,...

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 ...


Broadwater River Estate
Endless water views, the call of the fish eagle, breathtaking sunsets and champagne under a starry sky. Broadwater is a private river escape that...

Nare Boutique Hotel
Situated 700m from The Big Hole, Nare Boutique Hotel features accommodation with a restaurant, parking, a bar and a shared lounge. The hotel has ...

Rene's Guesthouse
Rene's offers luxurious and comfortable accommodation for both travellers, businessmen and those looking for a fabulous getaway. Situated in Doug...

Kimberley Anne Small Luxury Hotel
Kimberley Anne Small Luxury Hotel has accommodation where you can be at home in an exquisite work of art. All the suites have been designed with ...

Mein Heim Estate
Mein Heim is a beautiful farm only 15 minutes drive from the Kimberley city centre. This accommodation in the Kimberley area also offers pony rid...

Villa Mexicana Guesthouse
Villa Mexicana in Kimberleyoffers modern, spacious accommodation ideally situated for both business or leisure travellers. Villa Mexicana offers ...

Kimberley Manor Guesthouse
Experience the tranquility, comfort and personal attention, found at our Luxurious accommodation, nestled in the heart of the "Diamond City". Her...

Padlangs Self Catering
Padlangs Self Catering offers comfortable self-catering accommodation in Kimberley. The establishment is close to all the major attractions of th...

Cecil John Rhodes Guest House
Experience the wealth and luxury of yesteryear at this historical property built in 1895. Accommodation ids offered in seven elegantly decorated ...

Marrick Safari
Nestled in 3000 hectares of unspoilt savannah thornveld close to Kimberley, Marrick Safari offers accommodation in fully equipped cottages. The b...

Diggies Lodge
Diggies Lodge 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 ...

Cygnature Boutique Lodge
Cygnature Boutique Lodge offers accommodation on the Magersfontein Memorial Golf Estate in the lovely area of Modderrivier. Each room is equippe...

Midway Overnight Rooms
Midway Overnight Rooms, a property with a garden, braai area and a terrace, is set in Kimberley, a short drive from the Kimberley Mine Museum. Th...

The Solomon
Located on Solomon Street, The Solomon offers accommodation in tastefully converted and furnished with high quality fixtures and fittings, The So...

Halfway House Hotel
The Halfway House Hotel, Kimberley is situated on the Belgravia historic route and offers guests visiting the "Diamond City" accommodation in a c...

The Last Eve Guesthouse
The Last Eve Guesthouse offers accommodation in Douglas in the Northern Cape. The small town of Douglas lies halfway between Kimberley and the to...

Kimberley Boutique Guest Lodge
Kimberley Boutique Guest Lodge is located in Hillcrest, Kimberley. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation within easy reach of numerous shops...

Fancy Yellow Guest House
Fancy Yellow Guest House is an upmarket property offering fine accommodation in a quiet area in Kimberley. Of the eight rooms available, there ar...
Things to do in the area

Horseback Safaris at Mattanu Private Game Reserve
Horseback Safaris are some of the most amazing trips you can ever take in a wildlife environment at Mattanu Private Game Reserve only 55km from K...

Game Drives at Mattanu Private Game Reserve
Mattanu is a Hebrew phrase meaning, "gift from above". This is the underlying factor why we want to share Gods creation with everybody. This 4700...

Big Hole and Kimberley Mine Museum
One of Kimberley’s major attractions, the Big Hole and Kimberley Mine Museum, was once a flat-topped hill and is now an awesome hole - the larges...

McGregor Museum
The McGregor Museum was officially founded on the 24th September 1907 when the title deeds were handed over to the Management Committee. Prior to...

Belgravia Historic Walk
The historic suburb of Belgravia plays host to 33 of the Kimberleys' most historical sites. Much of the Kimberley’s opulent lifestyle of days gon...

Die Pont Restaurant
Experience more than delicious food ... Broadwater is a private River Escape that nestles on the banks of the Vaal River near Kimberley the town ...

Sunset Cruises on Davaria
DaRiva Houseboat is the idyllic place to relax with comfortable accommodation and a fully equipped kitchen (fridge, freezer, stove, hot water). T...

Annabell’s Restaurant
Annabell’s restaurant is a pleasant surprise; this fine dining eatery delivers great quality fare with all the trimmings. We strive to make dinin...

William Humphreys Art Gallery
The William Humphreys Art Gallery opened in 1952 was named after its principal benefactor, William Benbow Humphreys and is located in Kimberley’s...
Accommodation convenient to The Big Hole
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Northern Cape Accommodation / Diamond Fields Accommodation / Kimberley Accommodation