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
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,...
InchCape Sunrise
InchCape Sunrise is a self catering cottage in Warrenton sleeping six guests. There are two bedrooms each with their own bathroom fitted with a s...
Ein Gedi Premier Lodge
Ein Gedi Premier Lodge offers hotel accommodation in Kimberley. The rooms overlook the bushveld area where you can spot a variety of birds and en...
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...
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...
Villa Mexicana Guesthouse
Villa Mexicana in Kimberleyoffers modern, spacious accommodation ideally situated for both business or leisure travellers. Villa Mexicana offers ...
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...
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 ...
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...
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