Attractions, Places of Interest & Popular Destinations
The Northern Cape boasts a colourful history and a variety of cultural tourist attractions and is particularly well known for its incredible annual floral display that takes place in Namaqualand. An utterly beautiful coastline and a number of unique national parks offer the tourist a very different experience of South Africa.
Did you know? The last remaining true San (Bushman) people live in the Kalahari area of the Northern Cape.
Mining has always defined the history in this part of South Africa and, when diamonds were discovered in Kimberley, unprecedented growth took place in the province. The last remaining true San (Bushman) people live in the Kalahari area of the Northern Cape.
The whole area, especially along the Orange and Vaal Rivers, is rich in San rock engravings. The province is also rich in fossils. The Northern Cape is divided into five distinct regions and offers many 'must-see' attractions.
Top Attractions
Augrabies Falls National Park
The Khoi people called it 'Aukoerebis', the place of the Great Noise, referring to the Orange River thundering its way downwards for 60 metres in...
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Africa's first formally declared trans-border conservation area, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, on the border of South Africa and Botswana, wa...
Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
Inscribed in 2007 as the eighth World Heritage Site in South Africa, the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape is a remarkable mountainou...
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...
Namaqualand Flower Route
The spring wild flowers are a phenomenon that never ceases to amaze and delight, even for those who live in what is considered South Africa's "ou...
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...
Destinations / Regions of the Northern Cape
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 ro...
Diamond Fields
Overnight? Accommodation in Diamond 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.
Did you know? Thousands of the lesser flamingo use the Kamfers D...
Kalahari
Overnight? Accommodation in Kalahari
The portion of the great Kalahari desert that lies in the Northern Cape Province is but part of a large arid to semi-arid sandy area known as the Kalahari Basin, covering 2.5 million square kilometres that stretch from the Orange River to cover ...
Green Kalahari
Overnight? Accommodation in Green Kalahari
The Green Kalahari is a world full of wonders and contrasts. Here is where the lush green vineyards stand proud in the valley bearing magical fruits not far from where the shimmering Orange River thunders into a deep granite gorge to create the ...
Namaqualand
Overnight? Accommodation in Namaqualand
Namaqualand extends from the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast, to the little town of Pofadder in the east, to the Orange River in the north, south to Garies, and includes the Hantam Karoo, along the southern border of the Northern Cape.
Did y...
Upper Karoo
Overnight? Accommodation in Upper Karoo
The Upper Karoo is famous for its wide open spaces and healthy climate. The seemingly arid soil of the Karoo bursts into life after rains, which totally transform the landscape.
Did you know? Once you've booked your hotel or Upper Karoo accom...
Additional Reading
Find accommodation in the Northern Cape
South Africa Accommodation / Northern Cape Accommodation
Tarkuni at Tswalu
Tarkuni at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is the ultimate safari experience. The surroundings are elegantly simple with a luxury swimming pool opening t...
Loapi at Tswalu
Loapi at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is the ultimate safari experience. The surroundings are elegantly simple with a luxury swimming pool opening to ...
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Situated in the heart of the malaria-free Northern Cape Province, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is the ultimate safari experience. Explore Tswalu with ...
Motse at Tswalu
Motse at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is the ultimate safari experience. The surroundings are elegantly simple with a luxury swimming pool opening to ...
Kalahari Sands Safari Lodge
Kalahari Sands Safari Lodge offers game lodge accommodation in Kuruman. Nestled between Shepard's trees, Velvet raisin bushes and Acacias, privat...
!Xaus Lodge
!Xaus Lodge, a thatched luxury lodge has been crafted to blend into the landscape of this remote wilderness area. Situated on the red dunes of th...
Tutwa Desert Lodge
Tutwa Desert Lodge is set on a 16 000 ha private game reserve in the heart of the Green Kalahari in the Northern Cape. With exclusive access to o...
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...
Rogge Cloof Stables
The Stables offers accommodation in Sutherland, ideal for two families or a large group. The Rogge Cloof Private Nature Reserve is a registered B...