Location: Upington
Top Things to do in Upington
The 7 Best Things to Do in Upington, South Africa
Upington is a town founded in 1884 and located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, on the banks of the Orange River. The town was originally called Olyfenhoudtsdrif ('Olive wood drift'), due to the abundance of olive wood trees in the area, but later renamed after Sir Thomas Upington, Attorney-General and then Prime Minister of the Cape. It originated as a mission station established in 1875 and run by Reverend Christiaan Schröder. The mission station now houses the town museum, known as the Kalahari Orange Museum. The museum is also the home of a donkey statue, which recognises the enormous contribution that this animal made to the development of the region during the pioneering days of the 19th century.
Restaurants in Upington
1. Kalagadi Transfrontier Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 422 reviews
Reviewed By surya77 - athens
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the african national parks where you can still live the african frontier dream. The park is relatively remote, covering South African and Botswanan territory, with vast areas of wonderful semi desert land between the Auob and Nossob rivers. Apart from Twee Rivieren Camp, the park has no crowded other camps, therefore being a wonderful place where to let your soul wonder through and over the beautiful red Kalahari sand dunes.
The unfenced Wilderness Camps, in particular Grootkolk and the Kalahari Tented Camp, are examples of a succesful policy of bringing nature closer to the parks visitors.
The Kgalahadi Transfrontier Park is blessed with one of the great cats of this world, the black maned Kalahari lion.What wonderful encounters with this king of all animal empires!!
2. Bezalel Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
Bezalel Wine & Brandy Estate offers visitors true Green Kalahari hospitality through our visitors center. Take an informative tour of our Distillery and learn about the ancient art of fine Brandy making. Sample our range of boutique wines, top quality brandies, delicious liqueurs and adventurous spirit products, accompanied by a Cheese & Preserve platter.Our small, if lofty, daily Mission is to make South Africans proud of their great culture, specifically its wines and brandies, and secondly, to make those who don’t live here feel welcome. We do this by always focusing on quality, authenticity of origin, hospitality and family.
Reviewed By andries_steyn - Roodepoort, South Africa
Came back as promised and must say it's still on the top of my list when I'm in the area. Lunch was great and it's such a pleasure been welcomed by friendly well trained staff. Can't wait to come back again. Got some estate brandy last time and loved it. This time I'm trying your red wine. See you soon. Keep up the good work.
3. Orange River Cellars
Overall Ratings
4 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Colin M - Edenvale, South Africa
Great wines on offer. Large variety. Tasting paired with a choice of 3 platters of fourth made up of a combination of the first three. Olive varieties, biltong and dry wors variety or formage (cheese). Each platter paired with wines to suite.
Knowledgeable friendly staff. Well worth popping in.
4. Kalahari Safaris Day Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Kalahari Safaris is a Kgalagadi specialist as we are doing Kalahari tours for more than 10 years. At Kalahari Safaris we believe to concentrate on one area - the northern cape which include Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Augrabies Falls National Park and Witsand Nature Reserve. This gives us the edge over our competitors. Our tours are fully catered for - meaning we let our guests relax while we do all the work! Day tours to Augrabies Falls National Park include river rafting, wine tasting, hiking and game drives. Day tours can also be arranged to visit Witsand Nature reserve, as well as Spitskop or Day tours to visit wine farms.
Reviewed By infoI7023VV - Barcelona, Spain
I booked a Kgalagadi tour via Pieter, as they have the experience to get accommodation at Kgalagadi - which always seems to be fully booked! I also wanted a guide that drives for us and spot the animals, and cook for us, which can be tricky in the extreme heat. We did a private tour and had a lovely time - lots of specially adapted animals and very close to our car. I can highly recommend kalahari Safaris.
5. Tata Ma Tata Day Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Tata Ma Tata Tours is based in Upington, Northern Cape, South AfricaWe are a registered tour-operator. We offer guided tours to all National Parks and Nature Reserves, but specialise in Safaris to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Witsands Nature Reserve and Augrabies Falls, all malaria free areas. We offer tours to Namibia as well.We specialize also in airport transfers as well as distances transport. Our fleet consists of 3 Quantum’s, 1 x 22 seater, a new Hyundai Elantra and a Toyota Prado 4x4 – all with air-conditioning.All our guides and drivers are from the local communities and received professional training in guiding as well driving skills. Their stories of our region and the communities are truly something.
Reviewed By Jasmine E - London, United Kingdom
This is an excellent tour operator, who myself and my partner used in March 2011. They organised a private camping tour of the Kalahari national park at a highly competitive price. Our guide, Ed, had excellent knowledge of the wildlife and region and was a friendly and entertaining host. The car was new and very comfortable, and the tent was spacious. Our food was excellent and prepared with a lot of care considering one of us was vegetarian.
Tata ma tata tours went out of their way to help us and even drove us across the border to Botswana to help save precious days of our trip.
I would definitely recommend this tour operator, who were far beyond their competitors' level and at a better price.
6. Kalahari-Oranje Museum
Overall Ratings
2.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Stuart L
I was disappointed in the Kalahari Orange Museum, apparently the only museum in Upington. Inside was a Shambles with alot of unlabelled miss matched junk. Although there were 3 Martini Henry doppies and a canon projectile in one of the cabinets. The wagons outside, degrading in the open air, breaks my heart as valuable treasures are being destroyed. Entrance was R30 per person and clearly this money does not go to the upkeep of this museum. I wish I had not visited here as I left angry and extremely disappointed.
7. Beauty & Body
Beauty and Body offers many a health-, skin-, beauty- and slimming enthusiast with an exceptionally dedicated service of luxurious treatments. Beauty and Body offers an exclusive yet homely atmosphere. It is perfect for anyone tired, stressed and overworked that seeks to escape the everyday hustle and bustle while while also providing privacy and discretion.
