Read about these 6 Northern Cape Tourist Attractions. The Northern Cape province is South Africa’s largest and most sparsely populated province, and it is steeped in stark, semi-desert scenery. This is a place to discover tranquilly in a land of vast skies and vibrant colours. The region’s spectacular landscapes span from the red dirt and golden grasses of the Kgalagadi (Kalahari) Transfrontier Park, one of the world’s largest wilderness regions, to Namaqualand’s multicoloured wildflowers and Kimberley’s deep blue, cloudless skies.
The Orange River plunges into a cavernous gorge at Augrabies Falls National Park, the world’s sixth largest waterfall. On the desert’s scorching plains, black-maned Kalahari lions and strange quiver trees scrape out a living. Visitors can also visit historic battlegrounds and Victorian palaces where mining magnates previously congregated during the country’s famed diamond rush days.
6 Tourist Attractions in the Northern Cape
1. Attractions in the Northern Cape | National Park of Augrabies Falls
The Augrabies Falls, near the Namibian border, are one of the country’s natural beauties. The Orange River plunges into an 18-kilometre granite valley encircled by soaring rock walls in a succession of cascades nearly 150 metres wide. The name Augrabies means “place of great noise” in the language of the Hottentots, who revered the falls as a sacred site, and the falls, which rank among the world’s six greatest, certainly live up to their moniker.
The national park, which was founded in 1967 to safeguard the falls, is located in an area of high aridity with little vegetation, dominated by euphorbias and kokerboom or quiver trees. The creatures that live here include klipspringers, porcupines, leopards, baboons, vervet monkeys, and over 140 kinds of birds, including the Verreaux’s eagle, which is frequently seen at the falls.
The 26-kilometre-long Klipspringer Hiking Trail through the gorge takes around three days to complete, including overnight accommodations in huts. The trail is blocked in the summer due to the heat, but this is the greatest time to observe the falls—especially in late summer when the river swells with water. Other highlights are Moon Rock and the picturesque vistas Oranjekom, Ararat, and Echo Corner. Camping and well-equipped chalets are offered for lodging.
2. Attractions in the Northern Cape | Mokala National Park
Mokala National Park, located around 70 kilometres south-southwest of Kimberley, protects some of the country’s most endangered wildlife, including white and black rhinos. Visitors can also view roan and sable antelope, tsessebe, black wildebeest, caracal, aardwolf, giraffe, kudu, oryx, zebra, and a variety of birds. The park’s red dirt and golden grass-cloaked plains are peppered with these semi-desert trees, as well as dolerite hills, and make a lovely backdrop for photography.
Aside from day and night game drives, tourists can also go horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. Safari bungalows, self-catering cottages, and campsites are among the lodging possibilities. If you want to explore these places or do any fun activities you can book a South Africa trip or stay in a South Africa safari lodge. Live your best life today..
3.Attractions in the Northern Cape | Tankwa Karoo National Park
Tankwa Karoo National Park is a hauntingly beautiful land that is remote and rugged. The national park is located at the border of the Northern and Western Capes, in one of the country’s most arid regions, with harsh desert plains and beautiful night skies. Satellite phones come in handy here.
Red hartebeest, mongoose, oryx, and a variety of reptiles are among the park’s wildlife. Birding is a popular activity, and tourists can go on self-guided game drives on the rugged and rutted roads. Aside from wildlife viewing, people come to bounce around on the 4WD tracks, stargaze amid the brilliant night skies, and shoot the gorgeous semi-desert landscapes from scenic vistas. A 4WD vehicle is highly recommended. There are campgrounds, self-catering cabins, a lodge, and a guesthouse for guests.
4. Attractions in the Northern Cape | Belgravia Historic Walk
Belgravia is an expensive residential neighbourhood near Kimberley’s ancient diamond mines. Graced by the majestic residences of former mining merchants and magnates. Today, visitors may take a journey back in time and see some of these stunning old Victorian villas on the Belgravia Historic Walk. The walk explores 30 historic places and begins at the McGregor Museum. Which provides a fantastic insight of the area’s history and was the former temporary residence of imperialist Cecil John Rhodes.
Highlights of the walk include Dunluce. An outstanding example of Late Victorian architecture dating from 1897, and Rudd House, previously the home of mining tycoon H. P. Rudd, whose father was a friend and business colleague of Cecil Rhodes. Both of these residences are affiliated to the McGregor Museum and can be toured by appointment. All diamonds found in South Africa are graded in the 13-story Harry Oppenheimer Building (1974), designed by German architect H. Hentrich.
5.Attractions in the Northern Cape |Quiver Tree Forest
The Quiver Tree Forest on Gannabos. A farm near the small towns of Loeriesfontein and Nieuwoudtville. Is home to the world’s largest colony of these strange flowering aloes, also known as kokerboom (aloe dichotoma). Photographers and budding botanists frequently stop here on their route to Augrabies Falls. And the Kalahari to ogle these massive aloes. Which would seem quite at home on the pages of a Dr. Seuss book.
The quiver tree, can store water in its trunk and can survive up to 400 years. This is perfectly adapted to arid circumstances. It got its name from the San (Bushmen). Who used to manufacture quivers for their poison arrows out of dried-up hollow branches. Sociable weaver birds frequently use their branches to construct massive multi-chambered nests. The best time to photograph these artistic trees is when they bloom, which is usually in May, June, and July.
6. Attractions in the Northern Cape | Magersfontein Battlefield & Museum
Magersfontein, about 30 kilometres south of Kimberley. Is the site of a British loss during “Black Week” in the Boer War, 1899? Visitors can observe the battlefield and trenches from an observation point and explore the modest museum. Which screens an audio-visual programme and displays a collection of weaponry and clothing.
Hilltop memorials memorialise the dead and provide wonderful views of the surrounding area of the museum. Guided tours provide intriguing details about these major events and are highly recommended for history buffs.
