The Northern Cape is a dry region with changing temperatures according to the topographies, and its weather is typical of its desert and semi-desert landscape. Summer temperatures range between 33°C to 36°C, although highs of up to 40°C have been known in December and January. Winter months between June and August bring cooler temperatures of 22°C with cold evening temperatures sometimes dropping below zero. Winter snow can often be seen on the mountains around Sutherland, known to be one of the coldest towns in southern Africa. The annual rainfall is never high, causing dry, desert-like conditions. The western regions enjoy winter rainfall, heralding the start of the Spring Namaqua flowers from late August to the end of September. The central and eastern parts get summer rain from December to February, often accompanied by heavy thunderstorms, allowing for hot summer days and cooler balmy nights.

Namaqualand Flowers

Be amazed as the desert landscape is transformed every spring into one of nature’s most beautiful displays of colour. Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the small town of Pofadder in the east and bordered by the Orange River in the north, the Namaqua displays her spectacular flourish of spring flowers. Inspiring generations of poems, novels and paintings for their rare beauty, colour and scale of proliferation as they transform the landscape in broad brushstroke hues, from horizon to horizon.

Kimberley's Big Hole

Ever wondered, but folks, this is it, the largest man-made hole in the world! Formerly a small hill known as Colesberg Koppie, the big hole was excavated of 22.5 million tons of earth in the search of diamonds down an ancient volcano diamond pipe. When mining stopped in 1914 it was about 800 meters deep, an outside diameter of about 1200-meter and more than 14 million carats of diamonds have been extracted, that’s a yield of over 2,700 kg of diamonds. Visit Kimberley Mine Museum where you can learn more about the excavation process and the mining way of life. What we’ll do for money, that’s a big hole.

Augrabies Falls National Park

Be dumbstruck by one of the most awesome sights and sounds, the great Orange River thundering down the Augrabies Falls to continue onward some 56 meter below. The Khoi people called this ‘Aukperebis' or Great Noise for indeed the noise is deafening. The klipspringer buck and kokerboom (quiver trees) stand tall against the backdrop of the African sky. The Park is also home to a range of species, including birds, reptiles, antelope, leopards and the endangered black rhino.

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

For a true South African safari you’ve come to the right place. Tswalu, meaning “new beginning” is a thousand square kilometers of maleria free reserve. Associated with the Oppenheimer mining family this is said to be the most extensive private game reserve in South Africa. Home to over 70 main mammal species, including lion, cheetah, black rhino and antelope, including a prolific bird population.Visitors can enjoy game viewing from open-sided safari vehicles or get truly up close on horseback. Experience epic sunsets like no other and an epicentre of thriving wildlife as you live the African holiday dream.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (incorporating the Kalahari Gemsbok Park)

Visit the land where the red dunes fade surreal into the horizon and the wildlife seeks shade under thorn trees, moving with the seasons in constant search of ever elusive water. The Kgalagadi, at some 3.6 million hectares, remains one of a few conservation areas of this size in the world. Its bold adobe red dunes and sparse vegetation allow for perfect viewing and abstract photographic opportunities of adapted wildlife, antelope, predators and birds. The Kalahari is very dry with contrasting temperatures, from and an easy 40°C in summer, with winter nights dropping below a freezing zero. Be prepared for the temperatures, but also for the landscape of almost alien vistas of beauty.

Fossil and Rock Art Routes

Reflect the past in the numerous remaining fossil and rock art sites that pepper the Northern Cape county side. Driekopseiland just outside Kimberley offers a range of ancient San engravings. Visit the Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Tourism Centre also near Kimberley, learn more about the San culture and history and interact with the indigenous Xun and Khwe people. Buy souvenirs by the bucket load.

Diamond Fields Battlefield Route

History enthusiasts will enjoy visiting a range of Anglo-Boer War sites along the N12 Diamond Fields Battle Route. Starting at Hopetown, experience South Africa's greatest wars first hand. Sites include the historic battlefields at the Orange River Station, Graspan, Belmont, Modder River and Carter's Hill. A trip to Magersfontein sees one of South Africa's best Anglo-Boer War museums. Back then the enormity of this diamond discovery led England trying to re-claim this once colonized land. The local Boers dug their heals in - resulting in these fierce battles. Interesting stuff huh!

Galeshewe Township Tour

Study South African township life at this small town just outside of Kimberley. It is recommended that you make use of a tour guide to truly experience all that there is on offer and for certain reassurance.. Tour sites include the Malay Camp, the Sol Plaatje House, the home of Robert Sobukwe (founding president of the Pan African Congress) as well as the characteristic graveyard. Enjoy a local brew with the township people at the shebeen (drinking house) before retiring to a township guesthouse to experience the people as one.

Kamfers Dam

The Kamfers Dam on the outskirts of Kimberley is home to some 186 species of reed-dwelling birds, representing 62 avian families. Certainly a bird watchers paradise. The most well known of these are the lesser and Greater Flamingos, clearly recognizable by their distinctive pink feathers, legs and beaks. Be amazed as vistas of dam are transformed into islands of pink, or enjoy the many other abundant species of bird – bird lovers, yes - a must have experience.

Calvinia

Visit one of the biggest wool producing area in South Africa and take a step back in time. Calvinia, a postcard picturesque Karoo town lives in its own time zone. Its museum housed in and old Art Deco synagogue, centres on farming, transport and daily life of the early inhabitants. The tour office facilitates guided tours through this country town tapestry. Try the trails in the Akkerendam or just enjoy the flowered countryside. This is tourism at its countryside leisurely best.

Hantam Vleisfees

In August the Karoo town of Calvinia hosts the annual Hantam Vleisfees, meat festival. This is sheep country, and this festival celebrates its bounty in abundance, from lamb stews and curries, poitjie kos - traditional Boere pot food, done in cast iron metal pots over a slow fire, or not to forget the famous South African braaivleis - that’s burn meat - or what’s known as the good old barbaque. Try a local delicacy - a head, that’s sheep head - barbequed of course. This is three days of festival with plenty of surrounding entertainment, street parties, music concerts, vintage rallies, lang arm dancing and you guessed it, the Miss Vleifees beauty pageant. This is small town living at its best, “local is lekker”. That’s “local is nice” folks.

Gariep Kunstefees

The Gariep Kunstefees takes place in the Northern Cape's capital city of Kimberley. In September every year the art festival showcases a range of South African musicians and artists. The festival is well attended by mostly a strong patriotic South African demographic. For a unique cross section look at white South African’s, the Gariep Kunstefees is certainly a major happening. There is also a film festival to allow new film-makers to enter the broader spectrum.

Adventure Fly-fishing

If you do fly fishing, you still haven’t seen paradise. It sits on a 200km stretch on Northern Cape's Vaal River, considered the ultimate fly-fishing experience, with the feisty yellow fish ready to test any edge. Set in simply serene scenery any days fishing is rounded of with that “life is great in Africa” feeling.

William Humphreys Art Gallery

A must for all culture vultures visiting the Northern Cape is a trip to this grade one art gallery in Kimberley. Focusing mainly on South African Art, the gallery also features the works of 16th and 17th century Dutch and Flemish masters, and from colonial influence, the works of British and European artists. A rare collection of San rock art shows a fascinating window into the regions ancient peoples.

McGregor Museum

The museum was originally a hotel and health resort built at the request of Cecil John Rhodes. This awesome building, surrounded by beautiful gardens and immersed in nostalgia, now houses a collection of impressive displays, a geological exhibit of rocks, fossils and minerals, and an Ancestors Exhibition, which allows a fascinating insight into the development of humankind.

Shopping

The bigger cities all offer the usual shopping malls with typical chain store retailers, restaurants and fast food, bookstores cinemas etc. Being the diamond capital of the world the capital city of Kimberley is well known for its many jewellery shops, offering individual or custom made jewellery for a unique reminder of your South African trip. Kimberley is home to a number of flea markets, including the Dunluce Arts and Crafts market open four times a year, as well as the monthly market held opposite the Oppenheimer Gardens. Most tourist attractions also have small curio shops selling attractive African handcrafted pieces.