Northern Cape Routes

Anglo Boer Route

The war between Great Britain and the Boer Republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State broke out on 11 October 1899 and those living in the Northern Cape region of the Cape Colony were plunged into three years of unimaginable hardship, with accompanying loss of liberty and even life. The Northern Cape was to play a decisive role in the war, the major battles of the Western Campaign taking place within 120 kilometres of Kimberley. Within hours of the war's beginning, Boer commandos moved into Natal and the Cape Colony on three fronts. With Cecil Rhodes, the former Cape Premier, ensconced in Kimberley, the town was a prime target for the Boers and, by 14 October, Kimberley, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Kekewich, was besieged. The details of the siege, including the victories and setbacks suffered by the Relief Column under Lieutenant-General Lord Methuen, can be relived at the Magersfontein and McGregor Museums. Included among these are the Battles from Orange River Station, including Modder River, Magersfontein, Belmont, Graspan and the eventual Relief by General French and his cavalry. The decisive victory by the Boers over the Highland Brigade at Magersfontein on 11 December 1899 was a crushing blow to the British army and to the besieged folk of Kimberley who had expected relief before Christmas. They had to endure many more days of deprivation and danger, including shelling from a Boer Long Tom, before relief came on 15 February 1900. This did not mean the end of the war, but the end of the conventional stages and, until May 1902, Boer guerrilla forces roamed the entire Northern Cape region, with skirmishes between Boer and Brit being regular occurrences. When visiting the many battlefields and talking to the local inhabitants, you can get a clear picture of this distant war and bring it to life, recapturing the trials and tribulations of all who were concerned in the war.

Orange River Wine Route

The Cellars are made up of five wineries situated in Upington - the head office, Kakamas, Keimoes, Grootdrink and Groblershoop. Grape juice cellars operate from Kanoneiland, Kakamas and Grootdrink.. It is the largest distillery in the Lower Orange River Valley.

The Flower Route

This is the only arid hotspot in the world.. The world's largest forests of quiver trees or kokerbome (Aloe dichotoma) lie outside Loeriesfontein, Kenhardt and Onseepkans. The 103 000 ha Namaqua National Park, 22km north-west of Kamieskroon, is open to the public throughout the year, but a conservation fee is charged during flower season. 15km southeast of Springbok is Goegap Nature Reserve. The Hester Malan Wild Flower Garden showcases a spectacular number of indigenous succulents. The incredible Richtersveld mountain desert is a must for anybody who enjoys spectacular scenery mixed with a variety of rare plantlife

Between July and September the Namakwa region sheds its drab facade and showers the world with flowers of every hue. Nature sheds any pretence at barren aridity and runs riot with tones and rainbow hues of rich and splendid brilliance. Infusing the air with fantasy and delight, she takes our senses and sends them soaring on flights of floral fancy before returning us gently to earth at the onset of summer. The splendour of the flowers, however, depends heavily on a good pre-season rainfall.

The Red Dune Route

This route consists of ten individual guesthouses, farms and game reserves in the remote northern are of the Northern Cape. The route is well known for is hospitality with each stop offering something different. From traditional meals with sumptuous offerings like melktert (milktart), roosterkoek (a type of bread roll), nabbas(a rare Kalahari Desert truffle) and venison. The rouse starts about 50km north of Upington and the last guesthouse is about 30km from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and about 230km from Upington.

The Roaring Kalahari Route

The sheer size and distances of the Kalahari can be intimidating but the members of the Roaring Kalahari Route make you feel at ease in this vast wilderness. The route starts in the oasis of Kuruman and goes on 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. You then head south to the largest town on the route, Upington and back east to Groblershoop and the Boegoeberg Dam. The Witsand Nature Reserve is a must to stay over at, and then it's on to Griquatown and Danielskuil. Along the way you will be visiting and staying over at some of the most hospitable and colourful guest houses, guest farms, resorts, parks and nature reserves.