| Travel
& Accommodation Guide to South Africa |
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Accommodation
& Travel Guide - Northern Cape Province, South Africa
Bed & Breakfasts, Guest Houses, Self-Catering, Hotels, Safari &
Game Lodges
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The
Northern Cape is South Africa's largest, and least densely populated,
province. The area consists of mostly Karoo semi-desert and offers wide
open spaces and big skies. However, the Northern Cape isn't just about
dry and drab scenery.
The Orange River flows through
the province, offering an oasis, where with generous irrigation and year-round
sunshine, sweet grapes are grown for both the table and for the production
of excellent wine. Sweet dates are also grown in the area.
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| The Ai Ais/Richtersveld
Transfrontier Park offers mainly a spectacular desert mountain range, straddling
the Orange River on the border between the Northern Cape and Namibia. This
area offers amazing botanical diversity in the form of flowering succulent
plants.
The area is also a cultural
destination of interest, with nomadic herders still to this day tending
their flocks of goats and living in their traditional matjieshuise, basically
like stone age tents - these are portable homes constructed from a framework
of sticks and straw mats.
 Besides
the dramatic and beautiful scenery, visitors to the Richtersveld will see
hundreds of birds, along with small game. The area can be seen by various
different methods including a 4x4 trail, a hiking trail for the super fit
and by rafting and canoeing trips on the Orange River.
The Augrabies National Park
is nestled in the region and centres on the thundering Aubrabies Falls
in its spectactular granite gorge. This park has great birding available,
a fun hiking trail as well as small game to view. In the settlement of
Riemvasmaak, there is a 4x4 trail and warm springs, plus accommodation
run by the local community. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park is
an awesome game viewing destination and straddles the border between the
Northern Cape and neighboring Botswana. |
 The
area is also wellknown for Kimberley, where the
South African diamond industry first started and the famous Big Hole is
well worth a visit, as are the museums and historic buildings of the town.
Of interest to note, the
small town of Sutherland is home to the Southern African Large Telescope,
known as SALT. The area is stunningly beautiful, especially in spring when
the browns and ochres of the surrounding desert transform into an incredible
carpet of multi-coloured flowers. The main areas for flower viewing are
around the towns of Garies, Kamieskroon, Nieuwoudtville and Springbok.
The region offers many cultural
attractions and the original mission stations that were built back in the
day are almost unchanged. For example, you can visit David Moffat's Kuruman
Mission, where David Livingstone first met his wife - then Mary Moffatt
- close to the town. Also of interest is the large freshwater spring, the
Eye of Kuruman. There are also several interesting museums, rock art sites
and some beautiful old historic buildings.
So while the area might sound
like a barren desert, it is full of fascinating and beautiful gems to see,
visit and enjoy.
New addition to All Cape
Accommodation: Kgalagadi Transfrontier
Park |
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AUGRABIES
ACCOMMODATION, NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
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 The
small town of Augrabies is located on the banks of the Orange River, just
2 kms from the Augrabies Falls and about 100 km downstream from Upington.
While the area tends to be arid and dry, the town is surrounded by flourishing
vineyards, which provide excellent grapes, but also feed the Orange River
wine cellars.
The town is accessible from
the N14 and takes its name from the falls in the Augrabies National Park
close by and the name derives from the Khoe word "aukurabis," which translates
in English to "the water that thunders." |
View
Map of Augrabies
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Besides
the attractions of the falls themselves, the area offers hiking along the
edge of the gorge with beautiful views, or longer hikes to Moon Rock and
the Potholes. The birdlife will fascinate birders and the rhino and antelope
roaming the area add fascination too.
Photo courtesy South African
Tourism |
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The
Falls Guest House, AUGRABIES
The
Falls Guest House is located in Augrabies, just 2 km from the Augrabies
Falls National Park. The property features an outdoor swimming pool, garden
and a children’s playground. The Falls Guest House serves breakfast on
the lapa overlooking the lush garden. Guests can make use of their kitchenette
facilities, and barbecue facilities are available on site. WiFi is available
at an additional fee and Upington Airport is 120 km away. The beauty salon
offers a selection of treatments and massages upon request. Nearby attractions
include Riemvasmaak, the Orange River and Augrabies waterfalls. Rooms at
the Falls Guest House are elegantly decorated and offer views of the garden. |
Continue
browsing accommodation in Augrabies - More
Northern Cape Province accommodation
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