City: Northern Cape
Top Things to do in Northern Cape
What to do and see in Northern Cape, South Africa: The Best Places and Tips
The Northern Cape (Afrikaans: Noord-Kaap; Tswana: Kapa Bokone) is the largest and most sparsely populated province of South Africa. It was created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. Its capital is Kimberley. It includes the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, part of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, an international park shared with Botswana. It also includes the Augrabies Falls and the diamond mining regions in Kimberley and Alexander Bay. The Namaqualand region in the west is famous for its Namaqualand daisies. The southern towns of De Aar and Colesberg, in the Great Karoo, are major transport nodes between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. In the northeast, Kuruman is known as a mission station and also for its artesian spring, the Eye of Kuruman. The Orange River flows through the province, forming the borders with the Free State in the southeast and with Namibia to the northwest. The river is also used to irrigate the many vineyards in the arid region near Upington.
Restaurants in Northern Cape
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. Kimberley Mine Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 reviews
Restored buildings at this historic site include a pub, a smoke shop and the De Beers family home. The mine itself is an astonishing crater from which over 22 million tons of earth has been removed by hand.
Reviewed By yoganathan g
Visited with family on Sunday afternoon. As this was peak season, it was fairly full. The tickets are reasonably priced and information on hand is detailed. One needs to spend almost a day to really extract all the details. However the guided tour that provides the history of the area is most useful - the tour starts off with an interesting movie, then an underground visit and thereafter a visit to the big hole, before proceeding to a timeline of events that occurred in the diamond history. Very interesting and definite must see during a visit to Kimberly. The place is wel, managed and organized.
3. Augrabies Falls National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 387 reviews
Reviewed By Jana L - Brackenfell, South Africa
What an awesome place...what a great stay...made me proud to be a South African again,thumbs up to SAN Parks!!We enjoyed every minute.Wish we had the time to stay longer.We arrived late,but getting our key was no problem at all.Friendly,efficient service at both the main gate and reception.It seems the park is getting a bit of an upgrade at the moment and our chalet might have been one of the chalets that still needed some minor upgrades,but still, we were more than satisfied with our accommodation.Modern,neat,clean,practical accommodation.Loved the braai area in front of the chalets.We did a last minute booking,so we ended up with a chalet with 2 single beds.They were even nice enough to move the 2 beds together,without us even requesting it.We just loved our chalet and the comfort and convenience of everything,the aircon etc,the sparkling clean swimming pools nearby..only for us,the temporary residents,no day visitors (which made it more exclusive).A safe environment,we never once felt unsafe.We loved the restaurant...the setting,the food,the service...the convenience of the shop,we did not even have to leave the park to buy bread,wood,ice etc.The park even has a petrol station,how convenient before the long drive home.We did the selfdrive route in the park,could see the effects of the drought,but we saw a few springboks and a family of 5 giraffes,up close and personal...wow..awesome lookout points or view points of the river.Saw various other mammals like dassies,monkeys (which visited a few times,but which we enjoyed, not a problem at all...well behaved because of the no feed policy),hundreds of lizzards,beautiful birds at the rest camp etc etc.And last but not least...the stunning and beautiful waterfall ,which left us in awe.Great walkways all round...great job,SAN Parks.We loved our stay and we will definitely return for another visit.We left Augrabies very happy,satisfied and well rested.Thank you so much for going the extra mile Augrabies Falls National Park...we loved every minute!!
4. The Big Hole Kimberley
Overall Ratings
4 based on 627 reviews
During a visit to the Big Hole in Kimberley, South Africa you will not only see the largest man made hole in the world but also the largest diamond display in the world. Various displays will introduce you to the world of diamond mining and all aspects of diamonds as well as the history of diamonds in South Africa. On show is also the Old Town witch will give you an idea of what Kimberley looked like more than 100 years ago. We have various shops on the site where you could buy curios as well as diamonds and jewellery. Also available is a coffee shop and bar to quench your thirst and hunger. We are fully wheelchair friendly. Open every day of the year from 08:00 to 17:00 Guided tours on offer.
Reviewed By karina d - Manchester, United Kingdom
we were here in a quiet period so we had a guide to ourselves. David was very good. Very informative and willing to listen to our contributions (my father was a miner) very good video at the start showing life for miners black and white.Not alot has changed for some black people since.
5. Southern Africa Large Telescope
Overall Ratings
4 based on 243 reviews
Reviewed By Annakatrine - Pretoria, South Africa
We arrived half way through a tour, so missed the first video part in the visitor centre. However, we joined the other cars to drive to the top of the hill for the visit to the actual telescopes. Fascinating how many countries have equipment there and how important this little dot on the map is in the great scheme of things. Luckily there is nothing to stop you going back down to the visitor centre afterwards and browse around the information on offer so we did not feel cheated of some of the experience. Bring your own drinks and snacks as the "shop" is v limited and actually closed whilst we were there. Or wait to drive into Sutherland town for something more substantial to eat.
6. Goegap Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-africa/springbok/sights/parks-gardens/goegap-nature-reserve -locking Fields
Reviewed By Poker589 - Ostrava, Czech Republic
If You are going to visit Khalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) and You are not sure if Your rented car is suitable for roads (except 4x4) in KTP and Your lens (zoom) are enough for animals strolling next door roads, visit this small reserve and taste it. Be sure if You will have problem go through Goegap roads with Your car, for KTP change Your car or Your schedules, If pictures of animal in Goegap will be for nothing, try to take snaps in KTP in another way.
7. Namaqua National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By Tracey S - Johannesburg, South Africa
What an absolutely beautiful place - unlike anything I've ever seen! We spent 4 days here and it was spectacular! Even though we didn't visit in the famed flower season, the scenery and terrain are amazing. Definitely only for 4x4's! We camped and Boulders Bay and Kwass se Baai. There is nothing except and Eco Loo here but that is what makes it so spectacular - beautiful vistas over the ocean. The absolute solitude brings your soul back to earth. Now we are planning a trip in the flower season.
8. Magersfontein Battlefield
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By NR1234562014 - Brackenfell, South Africa
Visiting the battlefield and museum was an experience worth it. Walking around the paths and viewing the strategy of both the English and Boer sides, was impressive. The items in the museum was preserved very well. Made you think.
9. Mokala National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By Mark L
Stunni g to see the variety of buck.... impala, springok, nyala, eland, gemsbok, tssesebe, roan...... alsp buffalo, rhino and noisy jackals. The birding was even better. Caroline topped 300 birds on pur visit. Chalets comfortable and made for happy evenings.
10. Tankwa Karoo National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By Douglas N
Some of the most epic views we have had in a National Park. Even with the arid environment we still saw many birds. The animals are not really what I would go to the park for, more the vast open landscapes, quiet enjoyment and countless stars.
We stayed at the Perdekloof campsite, which comes with semi private kitchen and bathroom. We were rather pleased although we are fairly self sufficient. There is only solar electricity to power the lights and gas to heat the water.
When going to the park, make sure your vehicle is up to the challenge of sharp gravel roads and some proper shaking. You should definitely have a puncture repair kit and at least one spare. There is no fuel close by so make sure you filled up and have enough to do the park and get back to a filling station. Drinking water is also vital.
The roads to the park at the time of writing were some of the smoothest gravel I have been on. The roads in the park, at the time of writing, had very bad corrugations on the less used roads and average corrugations on the main roads, that we traveled on, which was mainly the south and east side. They definitely need some work and you most certainly won't be doing more than 60km/h (not that you should be in the park). The roads are the only reason it didn't get 5 out of 5. It does seem as though they are trying to do something about the roads as we did a grader parked at the workshop.
The Gannaga pass is a definite must, beautiful views from start to finish.
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