Established on the farm Processfontein in 1895, the town was named after Mr...
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KALAHARI REGION
The sun-drenched Kalahari with its endless horizons evokes memories of a
land before time. Its vast, ancient landscape undulates misty horizons that
remember the beginning of time. A journey from Gauteng to Namibia, or the
Cape, via Upington, brings unsuspecting travellers to the gateway of this
mysterious land. It features two routes.
Experience the Kalahari Region.
Town information
| Kalahari Region | |
| Northern Cape Tourism Authority | +27(0)53 492 0311 |
| Kuruman Tourism: | +27 (0)53 712 8816. |
| John Taolo Gaetsewe Tourism: | +27 (0)54 452 9200 |
| Go Ghaap Route: | : +27 (0)83 274 5461 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
SURROUNDING TOWNS
Kuruman
is the main town in the Kalahari region and is known as the “Oasis of the Kalahari”. The town is blessed with a permanent source of
water and visitors are continually fascinated by this beautiful and progressive town.
TO SEE AND DO
The Eye of Kuruman
is the largest spring in the southern hemisphere and delivers 20-30 million litres of crystal-clear water daily to the town and surrounding area. The calm waters are speckled with lilies and reflections from surrounding trees and shady grass verges is a place
for quiet contemplation while watching fat carp and other fish species basking on the sandy bed.
Moffat Mission
Situated just outside Kuruman the shady surrounds of the mission provide a peaceful interlude in which to contemplate the
past history of the area. The mission is often described as the Northern Cape’s fount of Christianity, as it was a base for many ventures into the interior by missionaries. It is named after Robert Moffat, a Scottish missionary who lived and worked here from 1820 to 1870. He also
translated the Bible into Setswana. It was also renowned explorer David Livingstone’s first home in Africa. Contact: Amina: +27(0)83 604 0804.
A visit to home of Credo Mutwa in Magojaneng, Kuruman. He was one of South African finest prophets, a keeper of ancient traditions. sculptor, author and painter. For tour bookings Contact: +27 (0)53 712 8816.
The Workshop Ko Kasi
Situated in Mothibistad it has become known as a vibey, earthy, contemporary meeting place and sanctuary, built with recycled and natural materials. Come to the kasi (local slang for township) to mingle, dine, express your creativity, enjoy a retreat or a live show, or head out on a cultural tour. Contact +27 (0)71 866 3517.
Black Rock
lies 25km from Hotazel and is home to the province’s Assmang underground manganese mine.
TO SEE AND DO
View the manganese mineral collection – Assmang Geology office:
Contact: +27 (0)53 751 5228.
Thota Bakkie Skiing
Experience one of the lesser-known extreme sports – all you need to do is try to hold on as the bakkie revs up and the drag kicks in. Once you’ve mastered the red dunes behind the bakkie and need still more adventure, try horse riding or have a go at the local flying fox. However, if you had your fill of excitement, you can build a bonfire, watch a unique Thota sunset and the meercats (suricates) at play, or you can just sit and stargaze in the deafening silence. The Thota Lodge is between Frylinckspan (GPS Coordinates above) and Black Rock, approximately 75-kilometres north of Hotazel.
Contact: +27 (0)76 105 3432.
Damielskuil
proclaimed as a town in 1892 is a small town situated below the Kuruman Hills north of Kimberley. Its fertile agricultural soil and abundant supply of underground water and springs has made it a welcome stop over for Griqua herdsmen on their trips to find grazing for their animals and 19th century travellers and explorers on their way north. The area is also rich in minerals and diamonds.
TO SEE AND DO
Boesmansgat
A unique natural sinkhole, renowned as the second deepest and largest of its kind in the world on the farm Mount Carmel.
Contact: +27 (0)82 222 4777.
British Fort
Built during the Anglo-Boer War, the fort is on a hillock overlooking the town.
Wonderwerk Cave
43kms north of Danielskuil on the R31 to Kuruman, this cave has a history covering almost a million years and is virtually a textbook account of the evolvement of humankind in South Africa. The deep cavern (140 metres) has been home to many people throughout the ages including, in more recent times, a farmer by the name of N.J. Bosman. Together with his wife, eleven sons, and three daughters, he lived in the cave from 1909 to 1911 while he built the present homestead, and thereafter it was used as a shelter for his stock.
There is a small museum at the site. Contact: +27 (0)82 222 4777.
Dibeng
(first drinking place) was named by the SeTswana and is located on the banks of the dry Gamara River. The town has strong Dutch Reformed links with the congregations of Kuruman, Kathu and Olifantshoek.
TO SEE AND DO
Doring Draad Kontrei KuierPlek
a quirky little bar and restaurant that combines the old-world charm and design features that are from a distinctly bygone era. A place where friends and family meet, relax and enjoy the one-of-a-kind intrigue and beauty of Deben and is famous for its gourmet Roosterkoek and local craft beers. Live music is the perfect way to round off this real South African “jol”, while little ones will enjoy a
donkey cart ride as their parents relax. Contact: +27(0)73 237 4566
Hotazel
is set on a bush-covered, featureless plain. It is home to Samancor’s Mamatwan open-quarry manganese ore mine and sinter plant,
Wessels underground manganese ore mine and railway terminus.
TO SEE AND DO
Tswalu
71 km from the town on the R31 Tswalu is the largest privately-owned game reserve in South Africa and offer a memorable Kalahari experience. There are seventy mammal species including the desert black rhino and Kalahari lion and 200+ bird species.
Contact: +27 (0)53 7819331.
Postmasburg
was proclaimed a town on 6 June 1892 and named after the Rev J Postma, a Reformed Church minister. The town is complemented by a dam surrounded by lush, green vegetation and sparkling fountains and many quirky shops and markets.
TO SEE AND DO
Town Walk
Discover the many spectacular architecture and many historical sites which includes an old blue dolomite stone Reformed Church built in 1908, Reverend Dirk Postma’s Statue and the rather impressive gun known as “Howitzer Gun” which stands at the civic centre which honours the men of Postmasburg who died during World War II.
For the adventure seekers, there are plenty of thrillin 4×4 trails, hiking and biking in the area.
Kathu
(Sishen) is a mining town in area and it is strategically connected by road, rail and air through Kimberley and Upington.
TO SEE AND DO
Sishen iron ore mine
even for those only vaguely interested in great dusty holes in the earth and noisy, smoke-belching diesel machinery, a tour of the open cast minion the outskirts of Kathu, which is one of the biggest manmade holes in the world, is mind-boggling. The sheer size of the equipment includes the biggest trucks in the world carrying 340 tons of earth. When the pit is in full production, it uses 5-million litres of diesel every month – that’s seven fuel tankers every single day. For mine
tours contact:
Sishen Golf Course
for golfers this beautiful 18-hole championship course at Kathu, with its grassed fairways meandering through a forest of centuries-old Camelthorn trees, is rated amongst the top 20 courses in South Africa. Contact: +27 (0)53 050 5727.
Olifantshoek
the only town to be situated at the foot of the Langberg it used to be the land of the Tswana, especially the tribes like the Tlhaping and the Tlharo. A hundred years of Tswana reign came to an end in 1885 when the area was annexed and became part of British Betsjoeanaland. In 1895 British Betsjoeanaland became part of the Cape Colony and town official was named Olifantshoek in 1895. It is also known as the ‘Gateway
to the White and Roaring Sands’, Witsand Nature Reserve which lies 78km south of the town.
TO SEE AND DO
Langkloof Pass
this scenic pass lies approximately 7km northwest of the town of Olifantshoek (Elephants Corner) in the Langberg Mountains.
Hiking
The Neylan and the Pudu hiking trails are well worth exploring.
Contact: +27 (0)53 723 6000.
Archaeological adventures
there are numerous San Rock art paintings and engravings which can be viewed on Meerlust and Pan Heuwel farms. Learn how the San described animals as well as their many fascinating hunting antics. Contact: +27 (0)53 723 6000.
Witsand Nature Reserve
is home to the famous ‘Brulsand’ or Roaring Sands of the Kalahari, the Reserve offers overnight camping and chalet accommodation, hiking, sandboarding, mountain biking and a 40km 4WD route experiences through the dunes.
Contact: +27 (0)83 656 2117.
Van Zylsrus
is a popular stopover for tourists on their way to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and is surrounded by the rust-red dunes of the Kalahari and offers true Kalahari hospitality and a paradise for biltong lovers.
TO SEE AND DO
Visits to the infamous “Meerkat” project
The town has seen some famous stars of the international BBC film series “Meerkat Manor. Visit the burrows the “meerkat celebrities” in their natural habitat.
Contact: +27 (0)53 781 0201.
Game drives
Tourists will be pleasantly surprised by the unique vegetation that exists in this “believed to be” dry desert which blossoms into a green and lush veld during the rainy season. Apart from visiting neighbouring game farms where exquisite sables, roam antelopes, black rhino, Eland, springbok and the gracious gemsbok can be spotted.
Bird Watching
Van Zylsrus is home to hundreds of exotic and indigenous bird species. See the Kori Bustard (Gompou), “the heaviest flying bird on the planet” in its natural habitat as well as one of the noisiest birds on our planet, the korhaan. The yellow and red beek hornbills (also called the kok-kok) will be your beautiful morning alarm at sunrise.
Ancient Molopo visits
Enjoy a traditional picnic or braai in the dry river beds of this amazing ancient historic symbol of the Kalahari of which many a song has been written.
Hiking trails
Knowledgeable nature lovers have designed hiking trails where one can appreciate the splendour of the indigenous Kalahari vegetation – trees, shrubs, bulbs and cacti can all be easily identified – learn more about the ways in which Bushmen have used the vegetation for traditional healing and other exciting uses.
Stargazing
Africa is world renowned for its enchanting evening skies, especially the Kalahari with its vast open planes and unpolluted air. The wonders of the heavenly bodies have never been so touchable and breath-taking than in the Kalahari. The ideal location for professional and amateur stargazers.
EXPLORE THE ROARING KALAHARI ROUTE
The sheer size and distances of the Kalahari can be intimidating, but the members of the Roaring Kalahari Route make visitors feel at ease in this vast wilderness. The route starts in the oasis of Kuruman before heading through the tree-filled town of Kathu and northwards to Dibeng and the mining towns of Hotazel and Black Rock. It then heads to McCarthy’s Rest on the
Botswana border, back down to Van Zylsrus and westward to Askham with a detour to the unforgettable Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The next stop on the itinerary is Upington, the largest town on the route before heading back east to Groblershoop and the Boegoeberg Dam. A stay-over at the Witsand Nature Reserve is an absolute must before you continue the journey to Griquatown and Danielskuil. Along the way visitors can visit and stay at some of the most hospitable and colourful guest houses, guest farms, resorts, parks and nature reserves in the country.
Contact: +27 (0)53 781 0201.
GO GHAAP ROUTE
The Northern Cape has a fascinating new heritage route which offers a confluence of cultures and experiences. Explore famous archaeological sites, historic towns, amazing architecture, and a selection of nature and game reserves. Visitors can trace the early geological history (from 3 billion years ago) which created vast mineral wealth like iron, manganese, diamonds and limestone. Follow in the footsteps of the early explorers and missionaries such as David Livingston, Henry Stanley and Richard Moffat. Relive the Anglo Tswana and Anglo-Boer Wars, explore the Wonderwerk Caves between Kuruman and Danielskuil. Rediscover the Khoisan history in Wildebeest Kuil near Barkly West. Along the way be sure to visit some of the most hospitable guesthouses, world renowned game reserves and nature reserves and quirky hotels in the quaint towns of Postmasburg, Olifantshoek, Kathu, Hotazel, Dibeng Kuruman and Vanzylsrus. Contact: +27 (0)83 274 5461.
DON’T MISS:
Natural splendour
Known as the “oasis of the Kalahari”, the area has many natural springs and verdant green valleys with a number of private game and nature reserves, hiking mountain biking, game viewing, incredible birdwatching and stargazing.
Heritage sites
The Wonderwerk Caves is an archaeological wonder believed to be at least two billion years old. There are further many historical grave sites dating from the Boer and Tswana Wars as well as the Anglo Boer war. There are further many San Engravings and
paintings to be seen on local farms and off course the Moffat Museum in Kuruman.
CITIES AND TOWNS
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