| The Northern Cape is the largest of South | | | | Hantam Karoo: |
| Africa's provinces and the most sparsely | | | | Millions of years ago, this area was an inland sea |
| populated. Despite this, the Northern Cape has | | | | and over time it has transformed into an arid and |
| plenty to offer visitors, whether their interests lie | | | | rugged landscape with wide open plains and |
| in the origins of the diamond industry, the | | | | mountains. This region is renowned by |
| Anglo-Boer War, wildlife, the brilliant spring flowers | | | | astronomers for its remarkable night skies and is |
| of Namaqualand, canoeing on the mighty Orange | | | | home to the South African Astronomical |
| River or enjoying the clear skies and open spaces | | | | Observatory. The region is also known for its |
| of the Hantam and Upper Karoo. | | | | spring wild flowers, and is home to the rare |
| CLIMATE: The Northern Cape experiences a | | | | Sterboom. |
| diverse range of climatic conditions because of | | | | Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park: |
| the respective regions and altitudes. The Northern | | | | Africa's first transfrontier park, Kgalagadi "land of |
| Cape enjoys a summer rainfall, but this is | | | | thirst" is shared with and crosses the border into |
| infrequent. The summer months have long, hot | | | | Botswana to facilitate the migration of wildlife and |
| summer days and cool evenings. Winter days are | | | | the movement of free-roaming predators; red |
| moderate, but the nights are very cold with | | | | sand dunes, sparse vegetation and dry riverbeds |
| temperatures often dropping below zero. Snow in | | | | of the Nossob and Auob ensure excellent |
| winter and heavy frost falls at night are common. | | | | opportunities for game viewing and photography. |
| SHOPPING: There are many shopping malls, arts | | | | Fifty-eight species of mammal and more than 400 |
| and craft shops, and many ethic vendors on the | | | | plant species share the desert and dry savannah, |
| beachfront. Good buys include mohair products | | | | while approx. 260 species of bird, including at least |
| such as jerseys, rugs and blankets; the famous | | | | 20 species of large raptor share the sky. |
| Karoo Lamb, dried fruit, diamonds, jewellery and | | | | Richtersveld National Park: |
| gems. | | | | Southern Africa's largest mountain desert park, |
| TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS: | | | | the Richtersveld is 160 000ha of lava mountains |
| The Diamond Field: | | | | and sandy plains situated in the north-western |
| This area is known as the prairie country of | | | | crook of the Orange River. It is also one of the |
| Southern Africa, with sun-drenched plains, covered | | | | world's most precious and fragile eco-systems. Its |
| in grass and acacia thorn trees. To the geologists | | | | strange rock formations shaped and sculpted by |
| this is a bewildering delight, and for the tourist the | | | | the wind and sun, is a land for those keen to |
| "Diamond Way" is an exciting journey, taking one | | | | 'rough it'. Visitors can explore the area from the |
| back in time. | | | | comfort of a 4x4 or by paddling long stretches |
| Kimberley: | | | | of the river. |
| Today the city is a prosperous, thriving metropolis | | | | Green Kalahari: |
| worthy of the title, "the Diamond Capital Of The | | | | Dominating this region are the lush vineyards and |
| World". The city is geared for tourists, with plenty | | | | the massive Orange River, which meanders |
| to offer in terms of accommodation, restaurants, | | | | through a giant valley. The Kalahari Gemsbok |
| shopping malls and attractions. See a replica of the | | | | National Park and the Augrabies Falls National Park |
| town during the greatest diamond rush the world | | | | - with its famous Black Rhino Aventure, are not |
| has ever seen, as well as 'Eureka' - the world's | | | | to be missed. |
| first recorded diamond discovery at the Big Hole | | | | Augrabies Falls National Park: |
| and Kimberley Mine museum. | | | | The Augrabies Falls, which is one of the five |
| Groenriviersmond: | | | | biggest waterfalls in the world, plunges a sheer |
| The seaside estuary of Groenriviersmond (Green | | | | 56m into a rolling, turbulent maelstrom of foam, |
| River Mouth) lies Southwest of Garies and offers | | | | mist and rainbows said to contain untold diamond |
| excellent fishing and crayfish diving opportunities. | | | | wealth and a river monster. This is where the |
| Namaqualand: | | | | black rhino can be found and visitors can also go |
| Spring time sees this region transformed from a | | | | on game drives. |
| desert landscape into a carpet of colourful wild | | | | Kalahari: |
| flowers, attracting many visitors. Also an | | | | The sun-drenched Kalahari, with its ancient, |
| adventure tourist's playground, the region offers | | | | undulating landscape and endless horizons, evoke |
| hiking, canoeing and 4x4 trails. The coastline is | | | | memories of a land before time. This region is |
| popular with fishermen and hosts a booming | | | | home to "The Eye" a permanent and abundant |
| crayfish industry. Diamonds are also mined from | | | | source of daily water. Hunting in the area is |
| the sea and copper is mined too. The | | | | popular and the Kalahari is home to over 40 |
| world-famous Richtersveld National Park is found | | | | raptors and vulture species and 7 owl species. |
| in this region. | | | | |