Northern Cape Tourist AttractionsDiamond Fields
During the world's greatest diamond rush, hordes of prospectors converged on the Diamond Fields region, scouring the river banks and sifting soil in a frenetic quest for wealth.
At times, there were as many as 30 000 diggers labouring all day and far into the night. Although the name Kimberley evokes images of glamour and romance, the diamond heyday was an era of blood, sweat and tears, high stakes and ruthless power struggles.
Kimberley developed around the huge hole in the ground, formerly a small hill known as Colesberg Koppie, where diamonds were discovered early in 1871. An observation platform provides a good view of the Big Hole, about 365 m deep and covering an area close on 15,5 ha.
Between 1871 and 1914, men toiled to remove some 25 million tons of earth from the site. It yielded about 14,5 million carats of diamonds.
Popular Towns in the Diamond Fields Region
Douglas
Overnight? Accommodation in Douglas
The pretty, very little town of Douglas lies almost halfway between Kimberley and the town of Prieska, which, unless you happen to have met someone who hails from there, you might not know at all (Prieska, that is. Douglas you probably definitely...
More information and photographs: Douglas Information
Barkly West
Overnight? Accommodation in Barkly West
Barkly West lies just off the N12, north west of Kimberley, in the Northern Cape. Its counterpart Barkly East, on the other hand, lies in the Eastern Cape closer to Lady Grey than Kimberley - the only link between the two that they are...
More information and photographs: Barkly West Information
Griquatown
Overnight? Accommodation in Griquatown
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...
More information and photographs: Griquatown Information
Hartswater
Overnight? Accommodation in Hartswater
Hartswater is one of two main towns in the Vaalharts Valley; an oasis on the edge of the arid Northern Cape border with North West. Up until a recent agritourism push the Vaalharts Valley was unknown by holiday makers and travellers alike...
More information and photographs: Hartswater Information
Jan Kempdorp
Overnight? Accommodation in Jan Kempdorp
Despite being the largest province in South Africa, the Northern Cape remains the most sparsely populated. Rather than urban landscapes, it is characterised by the spectacularly vast African landscapes, which rise in impressive scope to...
More information and photographs: Jan Kempdorp Information
Kimberley
Overnight? Accommodation in Kimberley
Say the name Kimberley, and nine times out of ten the phrase evoked by the name will be ‘big hole’. And indeed, Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Cape that is a perfect detour on the N12, just off the N1, that functions as an alternative...
More information and photographs: Kimberley Information
Warrenton
Overnight? Accommodation in Warrenton
Warrenton lies on the south bank of the Vaal River and just downstream of the Vaalharts Dam. Farming is thus its major commerce. The N12 passes through Warrenton, and the N18 – the national road to Mafikeng and Botswana – begins here...
More information and photographs: Warrenton Information
