BUSINESS EVENT DESTINATIONS

The Northern Cape is an ideal meeting destination for those who prefer the unusual. Why not combine a Northern Cape meeting or conference with a visit to one of the province’s incredible national or transfrontier parks, or with some of the outdoor adventures offered in this fascinating province, such as rafting, fishing or game capture safaris? 

Exotic lunar landscapes, unique flora and fauna, and intriguing traditional cultures are just some of the fascinating characteristics that serve to complement the Northern Cape’s business events offering. 

Within our towns and cities themselves there is great diversity – in people, cuisine, culture and entertainment – and bordering them we have some of Africa’s most beautiful natural attractions. With several flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town daily to Kimberley and Upington, plus its well-maintained road infrastructure and daily rail arrivals, the Northern Cape is easily accessible from all areas in South Africa and its neighbouring countries.

Few other places on Earth give the event planner the ability to readily combine rural, urban and natural wilderness. Our great destinations are just one of the reasons why the Northern Cape should be the natural choice for your next event.

Host your event in the Northern Cape

Kimberley, the pioneer town of the Diamond Fields Region

Kimberley is the capital city of the Northern Cape and originated around 1871, when the first diamonds in the area were discovered. Today, it is a prosperous, thriving metropolis, the seat of the Northern Cape provincial government and home to one of South Africa’s newest conference facilities, the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre, with a capacity of 2 500 delegates.

It is also where you’ll find the famous Big Hole and the open-air Kimberley Mine Museum. A variety of quality meeting venues is on offer in the city, with a choice of more than 1 500 hotel, lodge and guesthouse rooms. Kimberley and its immediate surrounds offer captivating adventure sports and team-building activities. These include thrilling fly-fishing trips, game viewing by helicopter, bushveld dinner fly-ins, game capture safaris and quad biking adventures, all of which are perfect for incentive travel.

Upington, in the heart of the Green Kalahari

Situated on the banks of the Orange River, this picturesque town is the principal centre of the Green Kalahari region. Founded in 1871 as a mission town, it has well-developed commercial infrastructure and a choice of accommodation and meeting venues that are ideally suited to host small to large conferences, meetings and incentives.

The Green Kalahari includes the towns of Keimoes, Kakamas and Augrabies, home to the Augrabies Falls National Park and the spectacular Augrabies Falls. Also in the region one will find the town of Mier, the home of Hakskeen Pan – a magnet for motoring and outdoor events such as the Bloodhound world land-speed record project – and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. 

The striking landscape and breathtaking scenery make this region a must-see on any Northern Cape meeting itinerary. This area offers outstanding accommodation choices, with fly fishing, 4×4 drives, river rafting, game drives, mountain biking, bow hunting and scenic flights just a few of the adventure activities on offer.

Springbok, in the picturesque Namakwa district

If you’re in the Northern Cape in August or September, a visit to Namaqualand to see the stunning display of wild flowers is a must. You can combine this with a conference in the town of Springbok, which offers a good selection of meeting venues with flexible conferencing packages. 

Springbok is home to the Springbok Museum, which is well worth exploring, as well as a selection of outdoor meeting venues, perfect for events and incentives. 

Sutherland, a stargazers' paradise

If you are fascinated by stargazing, then a conference or meeting in Sutherland, with its immense canopy of starry sky, is just the ticket. 

The town is home to the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) – the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. But remember to take warm clothing in winter, as Sutherland is the coldest destination in South Africa.

Bush breakaways in a national park

The Northern Cape’s unique biodiversity attracts worldwide attention and its national parks are regarded as some of the finest in Southern Africa. These include the |Ais-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, with its dramatic landscapes, and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, with its compelling wilderness expanses. 

The Namaqua, Mokala and Tankwa Karoo national parks are also found here. The Northern Cape’s parks offer the perfect setting for bush conferences, small meetings and incentives. 

10 reasons to choose the Northern Cape for your business event

The Northern Cape provides the event planner with fantastic opportunities. Here are 10 good reasons why we believe the Northern Cape offers unique experiences in the MICE sector.

1. Unique flavor and flair

The Northern Cape is a truly remarkable holiday destination. Explore the unique flavor of the province with its unique combination of ancient Africa with an overlay of confident democracy. Walk barefoot on the land of the ancestors, proud of its roots and enthusiastic about the future, creating, solving challenges and greeting the world with a wide, warm smile.

2. Unforgettable, enriching experiences

Whether you are stargazing in Sutherland, hunting for fossils in the Karoo or searching for San rock art deep in the caves of the Diamond Fields, experiencing the world’s richest floral offering in Namakwa, camping deep in the bush surrounded by wildlife and the famed black-maned lion of the Green Kalahari, or Kayaking down the mighty Orange River, the Northern Cape is more than an adventure, it’s an enriching life experience.

3. Value for luxury

The inherent warm hospitality of the people of the Northern Cape makes visitors feel like celebrities when they come to this vast province.  They can stay in the luxurious establishments, be pampered with spa treatment, dine on fabulous food and wine and afford all those once-in-a-lifetime experiences they’ve been longing to try. Not only will you have an excellent rate of exchange, but our facilities, activities and service equal outstanding value- so you can do more for your money. We call it value for luxury.

4. Special Occasions, Weddings and Honeymoons

The Northern Cape’s un-spoilt nature and breathtaking scenery with deserts, rivers, beaches, mountains and forests provide the perfect backdrop for the wedding of your wildest dreams. That is why the province is fast becoming one of the world’s most desirable and sought-after wedding and honeymoon destinations.

5. Rich, cultural encounters

The distinct cultural groups that make up the Northern Cape are as rich as the country’s history. Meet the oldest human inhabitants of Africa, the ‡Khomani San Bushmen at Askham or the indigenous Setswana and Nama in Namakwa and the Diamond Fields. Visitors to the Northern Cape have ample chance to immerse themselves in these unique cultures through exploring cultural villages and arts and crafts markets, indulging in local cuisine at township restaurants, watching traditional dances and ceremonies, listening to real stories at interactive museums and talking to our people, who are willing to teach their customs and phrases to our guests. It’s the best way to experience the heartbeat of the province and to take a bit of the Northern Cape with them when you leave.

6. Leading family adventure destination

With unexpected adventures around every corner, the Northern Cape is arguably the leading family adventure destination of Southern Africa. It’s all about pushing individual boundaries, personal growth and reconnecting with each other. For some, adventure is going on a walking trail, a hot-air balloon ride or tasting a foreign cuisine.  For others, adventure is captured in an adrenaline rush by traversing the rapids of the mighty Orange River in a kayak or leaping off a mountain or waterfall. Family activities range from game safaris, bird watching and leisure hikes to food tours, museum visits and archaeological discoveries. No matter the skill, inclination or interest, there is an adventure to thrill all. Combined with our beautiful weather and spectacular scenery, it’s a heady mix!

7. Natural beauty and wildlife

The Northern Cape is arguably South Africa’s most beautiful and natural province. For the active, it’s an ideal environment for exploration and adventure. Visitors are hard-pressed to choose between our UNESCO World Heritage Site, two Transfrontier Parks, the Kgalagadi and the çAi-çAis Richtersveld with its red and golden sand dunes or any one of the other 4x national parks, six provincial nature reserves and numerous private game reserves. Share the intimate bush knowledge of a Nama or ‡Khomani San Bushmen guide and tracker. The Northern Cape’s natural beauty is enhanced by it’s an enigmatic wildlife. From the small five to the big five, watching wild animals at dose range is something truly unforgettable. There are walking, horseback, 4×4, little five and many more safaris to incorporate in your trip.  The province is also home to two of the largest rivers in South Africa and three legendary deserts.  Each one of the 5 regions will capture the imaginations of those who dare to explore its rugged mountains, endless flatlands and undulating dunes.

8. Great weather

The Northern Cape weather makes it a perfect year-round destination. The mild temperatures of the months July to October are perfect to visit the Northern Cape and escape the cold winters of the rest of the country and world. In summer the excellent weather invites visitors to enjoy the outdoors, play golf, indulge in massages under open skies, hike, walk, canoe, or have an open fire dinner or go on stargazing safaris.  Visitors can choose from a variety of outdoor adventure activities and seasonal experiences and take advantage of the excellent weather.

9. A firm favorite for incentives

Due to our great weather, diverse cultures, adventure credentials, historic Freedom Struggle, lively urban rhythms, award-winning food and wine, luxury accommodation, natural wonders, spirit of Ubuntu, fascinating wildlife and welcoming nature, the Northern Cape has become a firm favorite for domestic and international incentive travellers. Build memories to last a lifetime with an unforgettable, life-enriching trip to the Northern Cape.  

10. The Floral Kingdom of the Namakwa

Namaqualand is a stunning section in the Northern Cape, famous for its 6,000 plant species, 250 bird species, 132 reptile and amphibian species, and 78 mammal species. An astonishing 40% of the species found here are endemic – they do not exist anywhere else on earth.
Keep an eye out for the Namaqualand famed flowers from July to early October when the region is transformed into a kaleidoscope of color with the arrival of the flower season! Start in the capital of Springbok and visit the Goegap Nature Reserve where you can explore the Hester Malan Wildflower Garden in a guided open truck tour.
The 103,000 hectare Namaqua National Park is well worth a visit.  Two unique overnight accommodation choices are available during the flower season and a must for nature lovers to experience. The luxurious tented Namaqualand Beach Camp situated on the coastline near the Groenrivier entrance and the Namaqua Flower Skilpad Camp situated in the Skilpad Wildflower Reserve will be opened for a limited period from 7 August to 15 September 2015.
Akkerendam Nature Reserve in Calvinia is a proclaimed bird sanctuary with 10 floral species unique to the Hantamberg area with two lovely walking trails. Just outside Nieuwoudtville a must see is the Quiver Tree Forest and the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve with 533 plant species and extravagant displays of wild flowers during the months of July to September. Flower Tips Hotline +27(0)79 294 7260, or Namakwa Tourism +27(0)27 712 8035/6