Welcome
We would like to wish all our readers a happy and prosperous 2012. We hope that you are invigorated after a well-deserved break and are ready to face the excitement and challenges of this New Year. As everyone is settling after the holidays, January just seems to fly past.
February is the month of love and this is the perfect time to LOVE THE NORTHERN CAPE. This vast province provides the perfect backdrop for secluded, romantic getaways, so let us know us know what you're up to and what you love about our great province.
Love our people, our cultures, our warm hospitality, our endless horizons and soul-rendering beauty.
With love,
The Northern Cape
Interesting Northern Cape
The rich cultural diversity of the Northern Cape lies at the heart of its tourism
appeal. The Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre reveals some secrets of our ancient
tribes… read more.
Destination Insider
This month we visit the world-renowned Kalahari region… read more.
Explore
We explore fascinating towns in the Kalahari ranging from Khathu, Dibeng, Olifantshoek, Hotazel, Black Rock and Van Zylsrus… read more.
Stay at
Visitors to the Northern Cape can enjoy a wide choice of accommodation options… read more
What's On Diary
February is the month of love and the Northern Cape invites you to celebrate with us… read more.
Meet us at
Our dedicated team will be showcasing the incredible attractions of the Northern Cape on various platforms… read more.
Impressions – My Northern Cape
Share your Northern Cape experiences with us and upload your photos on our website… read more.
Interesting Northern Cape
The Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre in the Northern Cape is located just west of Kimberley on the road to Barkly West. This community-based rock art project is home to a fascinating collection of Khoisan rock engravings, still located in their original setting. San and Khoe people, researchers and other stakeholders joined together to conserve the engravings here - more than 400 are spread over a small sacred hill. A visit here can be a deeply moving experience and an informative one for school groups. The site, surrounded by land owned by the !Xun and Khwe San people, is on a servitude set aside for rock art conservation and public access. Rock art custodians and tour guides are on hand to ensure a fascinating visit. The visitor centre features interesting displays and a twenty minute introductory film is played in the auditorium. An 800 metre long walk-way weaves up and over the hill via a number of information boards. Guides provide commentary and will answerany questions. The N//aoh Djao shop is a premier outlet for exquisite hand-made art and craftwork from the !Xun and Khwe communities. Rock art books and refreshments are also available. The facilities can be hired for small conferences, workshops and end-of-year functions.
These engravings at Wildebeest Kuil are estimated to be between 1,000 and 2,000 years old and are thought to be part of a sophisticated religious art associated with ritual specialists in Bushman or San society called medicine people or shamans. These shamans were believed to use their power through controlled use of trance to heal the sick and make rain. It is suggested that many of the engravings were inspired by visions experienced during trance and were depicted on the rocks so that others could share and draw inspiration from them.
It is believed that the engravings showing only part of an animal on a broken stone were originally carved like that at the edge of a stone, as if the animal is emerging from or departing to the spirit world. The engravings were made using the 'pecking' technique whereby a hard pointed stone is used to chisel away the outer crust of the rock, exposing the lighter coloured rock beneath. With time, the exposed portions have become as dark as the original outer crust. When Wildebeest Kuil was first documented in 1968, 178 individual engravings were recorded. A detailed survey has since revealed over 700 markings (including smoothed surfaces), more than 400 of which are engravings.
Destination Insider
In this month's newsletter, we explore the area of Kathu including Dingleton, which is situated 50km west of Kuruman on the N14. The establishment of Kathu (the town under the trees) was a direct result of mining giant Kumba's ore mining activity in the Kalahari. Connected via road, rail and air through nearby Kimberley, this modern town is strategically centrally located. Some of the world's longest ore trains travel through harsh territory to offload their precious cargo at Saldanha Bay. And nothing can prevent the visitor being overawed by the sheer size of one of the world's largest open-cast iron mines, dwarfing giant ore trucks bearing up to 170 tons of ore each load. Home to one of the country's most beautiful golf courses and the luxurious Gamagara Lodge, limestone houses characterise a desert landscape hidden by graceful palms. A small, well-stocked game reserve adjoins the town as does the Khai-Appel Pleasure Resort.
Explore
Situated on the banks of the dry Gamaraga River, Dibeng was given its name by the Tswana meaning 'first drinking place'. Dibeng is 10km north of Kathu and is also called 'the sunflower town' because every property sports a wind pump as residents have to provide their own water, every property sports a windpump. The town has very strong Dutch Reformed roots, the congregations at Kuruman, Khathu and Olifantshoek having seceded from the original congregation in Dibeng. Olifantshoek is ±100km west of Kuruman on the N14, the only town lying at the foot of the Langberg, Olifantshoek is a farming town close to two game ranches on the Namakwari Route. Founded in 1895, the village is called the 'Gateway to the White and Roaring Sands', 78km south of the town.
Hotazel is 60km northeast of Kuruman on the R31, is a home to Samancor's Mamatwan open-quarry manganese ore mine and sinter plant, and Wessels underground manganese ore mine and railway terminus. It offers a swimming pool to take the sting out of its onomatopoeic name, a mashie golf course and squash and tennis courts. Black Rock, which is 77km northeast of Kuruman on the R31, is Assmang's underground manganese mining venture, offering sporting facilities and a chance to view a worked-out manganese mine. The mine has its own landing strip.
Van Zylsrus, which is ±100km northeast of Hotazel on the R31, is a popular stopover for tourists on their way to Kgalagadi Transfontier Park, Van Zylsrus is surrounded by the rust-red dunes of the Kalahari. Boasting a cosy hotel and a teargarden, the Oasis Café, the town offers true Kalahari hospitality. The most prosperous game ranches, especially for trophy hunters or holidaymakers, are in the immediate area. And for bilton lovers, this is paradise.
Tourism experiences:
Kathu
Boiterelo Jewellers - selling locally made jewellery. Tel 053 723 2368
Game Reserve - offering game and birdwatching. Tel 053 723 2263
Khai-Appel Recreation Resort - camping and caravan facilities, fishing and horse-riding. Tel 053 723 2263.
Kumba Sportclub - Badminton, golf, gymnasium, squash, swimming, tennis. Tel 053 723 3288.
Mine Tour - Guided tours of the world's largest open-cast iron mine by appointment. Tel 083 660 5336.
Sishen Golf Club - 18 hole championship golf course, Par 72 - 6450 meters with bent grass greens. Host corporate days and in March, the annual, 4-day Kalahari Golf Challenge. Facilities offered include 20 golf carts, restaurant & bar, the adjoining Kalahari Country Club offers pool tables, tennis, bowls, squash and swimming. Fully equipped state-of-the-art Gymnasium with indoor heated pool. Contact Greg Jennings on +27(0) 82 653 2994, Tel +27(0) 53 723 3289, Fax +27(0)53 723 1080, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Visitors welcome, visitors fees: R120.00 affiliated and R200.00 non-affiliated.
Dibeng
Shoe Factory - Manufacturers of hand-made leather shoes and belts. Tel 053 791 0202.
Olifantshoek
Witsand Nature Reserve - Where stunning white sand dunes stand out in contrast to the red dunes that surround them. These dunes are also known as the Roaring Sands (Brulsand) due to the sounds they make under certain conditions.
Hotazel
Hotazel Recreation Club - Swimming pool, tennis, squash, mashie golf course, badminton. Tel 053 724 2000.
Mine - Tel 053 742 2000.
Black Rock
Black Rock Sport and Recreational Club - Tennis, bowls, squash, golf and swimming. Tel 053 751 5555.
Manganese Mineral Collection - Assmang Geology Office. Tel 053 751 5555.
Mine Tour - Tour the spectacular tunnels and rock formations of Black Rock's worked-out manganese mine. Restricted to 20 people booked a week in advance. Tel 053 751 5555.
Van Zylsrus
Game viewing, 4x4 off-road driving and hiking - On various guest farms in the vicinity. Contact the local Tourist Information on 053 712 1001 for more information.
Hunting - For further information, contact The Northern Cape Hunter's Association on 082 688 8345.
Stay at Kathu
Acondri Guest House - Tel: 053 723 2097
Constantia Guest House - 053 723 3020
Dorsland Guest House - 053 331 0003
Eagle's Nest Guest House - 082 925 1500
Elephant Rock Inn Guest House - 078 333 1478
Gamagara Guest Lodge - 053 723 2285
Lavender Lane B&B - 053 723 2417
Mopanie B&B - 053 723 2519
Namakwa Estate Lodge and Guest House - 053 723 2987
Rheotessa Guest House - 053 723 1238
Sanyati Guest House - 053 723 1666
The Ranch Chalets Self Catering - 082 927 9621
Wildernis Guest House - 053 723 2285
Vanzylrus
Vanzylrus Hotel - 053 781 0201
For more information on available accommodation, visit www.experiencenortherncape.com
What's On Diary
17 – 18 March: Relay for Life, Upington: The relay challenge starts at 18h00 on 17 March and ends at 08h00 the next day. The event organised by CANSA celebrate cancer survivors, carry a strong health messages aimed at men and also raises funds for the organisation. Teams of 10 – 15 people can enter at R500 per team. The teams will walk around the track on a relay basis throughout the night, while musicians and other artists performs. Teams are challenged to raise R5000 for CANSA before or during the event. Please contact the CANSA office at 054 332 4937 or Chrisna Roos on 071 114 9016 for more information.
17-24 March 2012: De Aar Paragliding will be hosting the preliminary round for the Powered Paragliding World Championships and between 120 and 130 pilots plus their crews will be descending on this Northern Cape town. This qualifying event offers great action for spectators as the De Aar Aerodrome offers a small, contained area in which all the action will take place. Spectators will be able to observe all the thrills of paragliding as the participants complete courses in and around the specified area. This round also serves as a trial event to bid for the world championships event in 2013. For more information, contact Des Pansi on 053 631 1555.
25 – 30 April: Afrikaburn is the spectacular result of the creative expression of a community of volunteers who, once a year, gather in the Tankwa Karoo to create a temporary city of art, theme camps, costume, music and performance. The event is non-commercial and serves as an exercise in total self-reliance as participants camp next to the Tankwa Karoo National Park for four days and provide entirely for themselves, including all their water, shelter and food needs. For more information, contact Henk van Niekerk on 082 457 6145.
April 2012: Phokwane Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km, Hartswater: The fairly difficult circular course is run mainly on tarred roads and features spectacular scenery and some hilly inclines. Wheelchair athletes are welcome to enter the 21.1 km, 10km and 5km races. Entries are accepted at the start of the race at the Hoërskool Hartswater Sports Grounds from 06h00 and walkers are also welcome. Lucky draws will be done after the race. For more information, contact Christel Pelser on 053 456 5004.
3-5 May: Upington Landbou Skou: Don't miss this exciting annual agricultural show that has become a highlight on the social calendar. The exciting line-up features top South African artists, live music performances, dancing through the night, hundreds of displays and stalls with scrumptious food. For more information, contact the show organisers on 054 331 2105.
Trade Shows
The Northern Cape Tourism Authority will be attending the ITB in Berlin early in March and South Africa's foremost travel show Indaba in May. For appointments and further details, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
On the air
The latest addition to the Northern Cape airwaves is Kurara FM, which started broadcasting in January. Located in Kuruman on the border to the Kalahari, this community station will broadcast in three language and focus on social issues in the area. Tune in to 98.9MHz to catch the latest news.
Northern Cape Impressions
Please share your Northern Cape experiences and impressions with us. Here are some of the submissions we have already received. Enjoy and remember to send your contributions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If the webmaster picks your submission, you'll receive a wine gift pack from Orange River Cellars.