Northern Cape Vacations

The Northern Cape is the largest, yet least populated and little visited part of South Africa. Which makes it a great place for an off the beaten track wilderness safari holiday. Bordering Namibia and Botswana to the north, it also adjoins the North-West Province, Free State, Western and Eastern Cape as well as the Atlantic Ocean.

The Northern Cape is a real gem, with some extraordinary landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities, just waiting to reveal themselves to those who venture this far. The malaria-free Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is the largest private game area in South Africa, with 110,000 hectares of grasslands and mountain peaks. Known as the country’s last great wilderness, a luxury Northern Cape safari in Tswalu is all about incredible lodges and the chance to enjoy big game viewing on the fringes of the Kalahari Desert. Black maned lions, wild dogs and cheetah are often spotted here, and guests have the opportunity to track the endangered desert black rhino.

The Augrabies Falls, named by the San Bushmen as ‘The Place of Great Noise’, are found in the eponymous National Park and are a spectacular spot to visit as you make your way across the top of the province. The capital, Kimberley, was home to the “New Rush” in the 1870s when would-be diamond miners flocked here from all over the world to try and make their fortunes in the diamond feels. The reserves are long-since exhausted, and the mine is now quite literally a Big Hole which is a spectacular site, and the museum tells the history of diamond mining. Although it isn’t really on the way to anywhere, both Rovos Rail and The Blue Train stop here for an off-train excursion.

The Kgalagadi Transfontier Park crosses from South Africa into Botswana and is a haven for desert wildlife. It’s perhaps not a destination for first-time safari goers, but for those looking to enjoy a very different experience, it is a beautiful park and well worth the visit. The beauty of the Northern Cape lies in its isolation, relative lack of popularity amongst visitors, stunning landscapes and variety of things to do. It feels a little like Namibia, but with far fewer visitors.