South Africa’s largest province, the Northern Cape offers almost endless holiday destinations. This glorious location is home to a choice of accommodation that includes everything from luxuriously appointed tented camps in the heart of the Kalahari Desert to camping along the mighty Orange River. It’s an incredible stargazing destination, too; its vast open plains offer visitors the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern living. The breathtaking scenery includes deserts, mountains, beaches, rivers and forests, all offering the perfect backdrop for a scenic, action-packed experience. Take a Northern Cape road trip to enjoy this glorious destination at leisure, stopping off whenever you find something that catches your attention, and then continuing along your journey of discovery.
Why holiday in the Northern Cape
- Unbeatable stargazing experiences.
- See an incredible display of flowers in Namaqualand in springtime.
- Enjoy its peoples’ warm hospitality, delicious food and wine.
- Experience wildlife viewing in a choice of national parks, provincial nature reserves and numerous private game reserves.
- It’s home to one of the largest conservation areas in the world, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Unique experiences await when you holiday in the Northern Cape, so take time out to experience the magic and beauty of the province. A holiday in this beautiful destination could include a trip to Kimberley to see the Big Hole, a chance to explore Anglo-Boer sites at Magersfontein or viewing ancient rock paintings outside Danielskuil. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to entertain, from quad biking in the Kalahari dunes to stepping back in time in the Augrabies Falls National Park to when the world’s first hunter-gathers resided here.
The Northern Cape offers vast stretches of wilderness under open skies. South Africa’s largest province is famous for its magnificent wildflowers that bloom in Namaqualand in early spring, as well as the incredible beauty of the Augrabies Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world. It’s also home to the Kalahari Desert, where lions with black manes roam free, and quiver trees manage to survive in the scorching plains. History is waiting to be uncovered, in the battlefields as well as in stunning architecture left behind by diamond mining magnates.
Things to do in the Northern Cape
- Visit the Augrabies National Park and marvel at its spectacular granite gorge and the amazing Augrabies Falls.
- See the incredible display of flowers that bloom in spring in Namaqualand.
- Visit the largest man-made hole on earth, the Big Hole, in Kimberley.
- View endangered white and black rhino as well as other species in Mokala National Park.
- Discover the Quiver Tree Forest.
- Photograph extraordinary scenery in the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park.
- Go paddling or rafting on the Orange River.
- Take a road trip to explore the Northern Kalahari.
- Travel to see SALT, the largest optical telescope in Southern Hemisphere, at Sutherland.
- See the Aristea Shipwreck in Namaqua National Park, an old trawler once used as a minesweeper in the Second World War.
- Enjoy stargazing in Sutherland.
The Northern Cape offers a treasure trove of things to do and unique places to visit, so why not come and discover them for yourself? Experience its many attractions and activities with a travel package from Thompsons Holidays.
When is the best time to visit?  Â
- The best time to visit the Northern Cape to see the flowers is from August to September.
- The weather here varies from very hot in the summer, to freezing in winter, depending on where you are visiting.
- Winter is the best time of year for stargazing.
Getting there Â
- Because of its size, the Northern Cape is ideal for road trips and self-drive holidays. The province is serviced by two main cities: Kimberley and Upington.
- Driving time from Johannesburg to Kimberley: 5 hours.
- Driving time from Cape Town to Kimberley: 9 hours, 45 minutes.
- You can fly into Kimberley and rent a car from there. Flight duration from Johannesburg to Kimberley: 1 hour, 10 minutes. From Cape Town: 1 hour, 30 minutes.
- Driving time from Johannesburg to Upington: 8 hours, 26 minutes.
- Driving time from Cape Town to Upington: 8 hours, 24 minutes.
- You can fly into Upington and rent a car from there. Flight duration from Johannesburg to Upington: 1 hour, 30 minutes. From Cape Town: 1 hour, 20 minutes.
- Wherever possible, buy local food and souvenirs and support local artisans.
- Avoid single-use plastic; instead, take fabric shopping bags with you.
- Be safety conscious: don’t display cash or valuables. Leave jewellery and expensive watches at home.
- Keep your belongings safe – use the hotel safe for valuables and watch out for pickpockets and bag snatchers when out and about.
- Contact the Thompsons Holidays 24-hour care line to assist.
