Have You Been to Prieska

Ria Huysamen Aloe Garden

Prieska is a very small town that is perched along the Orange River in the Northern Cape. It is 240 kilometres south of Kimberley and its famous Big Hole. Although having been occupied by indigenous South Africans, such as the Bushmen, for generations, it was only made a formal municipality in 1878.

Little was known about Prieska until the late 1800’s and the earliest part of the 1900’s. At this time, farmers began to travel to Prieska when the salt pans flooded. These farmers built homesteads, established farms and set up a small community, but never developed the town much further than a few churches. Then, during the devastation of the Anglo-Boer War, Afrikaners spread throughout the area now known as the Northern Cape Province. Later, they retreated to the Transvaal (or Gauteng as it is now called). Continued

Colesberg Coolness

Lovely Colesberg

Colesberg is a small Karoo town that lies along the N1, between Cape Town and Johannesburg. Being situated amidst tall koppies (including the famous Coleskop) and sheep farms that stretch for miles through the rugged South African terrain, Colesberg truly is a haven of a very special kind of beauty.

When mission stations were built in this area in the 19^th century, they soon attracted needy Khoisan people. Farmers got nervous about the stability of their property and insisted that the area be declared their property. So, in 1830, the town was named Colesberg after Sir Lowry Cole.

This history permeates the town’s atmosphere and its people. Many of the buildings, especially the churches, showcase the architecture and heritage of these past times, giving visitors a first-hand perspective of the politics and goings on of more than a century ago. Continued

Northern Cape

The Big Hole

The Northern Cape is an exquisite province, where peace and tranquillity meet rich history and magnificent landscapes. As South Africa’s largest and most sparsely populated province, vast expanses seem to carry on endlessly, apparently untouched and pristine. The Orange River is a major part of the Northern Cape’s landscape, feeding the plants and providing life-giving water to the animals around it; providing a stunning spectacle to those sitting on its banks.

The Northern Cape borders Botswana and Namibia, which means that it is particularly accessible to travellers from African countries. In addition, being situated here also means an abundance of natural fauna and flora, which are often the lure for tourists from around the world. Continued

The Kalahari Desert

Stunning Desert

The Kalahari Desert is a huge area of land that extends from the Northern Cape of South Africa up into Botswana and Namibia. It is believed to be some 500 million years old and is home to a number of fossils that have fascinated researchers for decades. It measures almost a million square kilometres.

Despite being arid, with only a small amount of rainfall every year, the Kalahari Desert is actually home to a huge variety of plants and animals. Flora includes Acacia trees, Kiwano trees, short grasses, and the famous Baobab Tree. Of course, because the area of this desert is so extensive, the vegetation and biomes change somewhat from one area to the next. For instance, the centre of the Kalahari experiences a lot more rainfall and is, therefore, a lot more lush and fertile. Continued

See The Flowers, Be The Flowers

Namaqualand Wild Flowers

The magic of a blanket of beautiful blooms comes alive in Namaqualand between July and September of every year. In fact, this part of the Northern Cape is actually fairly quiet for the rest of the year. However, come winter, visitors from all over the world flock to see the magnificence of the blooms as they emerge from their summer sleepiness and grace the extensive countryside with their vibrant colours and breath-taking aroma. There are more than 4 000 different plant species, but it is up to the weather to decide which will flourish in any given year. This means that even regular visitors that frequent the area year after year will still enjoy endless variety every time they visit.

A tour of the Skilpad section of the Namaqua National Park is the best way to get the most out of viewing the flowers for which this part of South Africa is famous. Various tours are on offer, depending on the needs, wants and availability of the visitors. Whether you want to take some time to take a private walk through the flowers, a scenic drive in your own vehicle, indulge in a picnic at the viewpoints or enjoy a leisurely lunch at the restaurant, Namaqualand offers visitors plenty to do and see. Continued

I ♥ Kimberley Because …

I ♥ Kimberley

Hi, I’m Riana Engelbrecht from Broadwater between Kimberley and Douglas in the Northern Cape.

Kimberley IS BEST KNOWN FOR the Big Hole, the largest hand-dug excavation in the world.

GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN in the old Town at the Big Hole, to look like a film star from the diamond era.

THE BEST flamingo PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT Kamfersdam, just outside Kimberley on the Jo’burg Road.
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS in the Old Town at the Big Hole. Continued

Explore the Northern Cape – 10 Top Things To Do, Places To Visit

The Northern Cape

The Northern Cape can best be described in terms of its aridness and the crimson, sun-kissed sand dunes of the Kalahari. But this exceptionally beautiful, less visited, and vast part of South Africa that lies between the North Western Cape and Namibia works its hidden charms on those who visit. You cannot leave unaffected.

The incredible flower season aside (for there is much written about the beauty of the succulent Karoo) the Northern Cape reveals a few gems, and manages to remain something of a ‘secret’ from the rest of the world. But we’ll share our favourite top 10 places to visit and activities with you: Continued

I ♥ Upington Because …

I ♥ Upington

Hi, I’m Liesel Gerber from Libby’s Lodge in Upington in the Green Kalahari, Northern Cape.

Upington IS BEST KNOWN AS an oasis in the desert where the mighty Orange River weaves a golden band through the Kalahari landscape – a town that symbolises growth and prosperity.

GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the Camel and Rider statue (which commemorates the mounties and their mounts who policed this harsh desert territory).

THE BEST nature PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT sunset along the river.
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT Date Palm Avenue (declared a national monument in 1982.  The length of the avenue is 1041m and it consists of 200 date palms – this makes it the longest and densest palm avenue in the Southern hemisphere). Continued

I ♥ Kathu Because …

I ♥ Kathu

Hi, we’re Elfie and Lezanne from Kathuhari Guesthouse in Kathu in Kalahari, Northern Cape.

Kathu IS BEST KNOWN FOR the huge mining industry in the Northern Cape and of course our famous Camelthorn forest.  The forest is only one of two in the world and has awareded protected status by the government.

GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT standing next to the huge trucks at the shell garage when you enter Kathu from the N14.  these are old and Kumba Iron ore (old Sishen) have much bigger ones now.

THE BEST PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN on the Sishen Golf Course where lots of wedding and family pictures has been taken with breathtaking outcomes. Continued

All roads lead to Colesberg…

The Charm of Colesberg

Colesberg lies along that section of the N1 highway that belongs to typical little Northern Cape towns like Hanover, Bethulie, Springfontein, De Aar and Trompsburg.

It’s the part of the highway where I begin to nod off if not driving, and to daydream if I am. It’s the section of the N1 that tends to pass in a blur, somewhere en route to the halfway mark of the central Karoo and Beaufort West.

But Colesbergers think their town worthy of a stop. Their tourist brochures and documents speak about ‘having arrived’ when you are in Colesberg. ‘All roads lead to Colesberg’ they say, as the town considers itself the centre of South Africa; the epitomy of true Karoo hospitality where the N1 meets the N9. Colesberg also claims to be the largest Northern Cape town on the N1. Not difficult if you consider the other contenders. Continued

I ♥ Colesberg Because …

I ♥ Colesberg

Hi, I’m Jurie from Toverberg Guest Houses and Carl Gronum from Traveller’s Joy Guest House  in Colesberg.

Colesberg IS BEST KNOWN FOR being a convenient stopover between the interior and the coast. Here the N1 and the N9 meet.

GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the wrought iron lamp at the corner of Paul Kruger and Ventershoek Streets – erected in commemoration of Queen Vistoria’s 60th Jubilee.
THE BEST sunset PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN DOWN the road passing the golf course.

OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT a number of 19th century buildings and the Colesberg Sloot. Continued

A new field guide joins the Tswalu Team

The latest addition to the team of field guides at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is Cameron Pearce, an experienced ranger and manager who joins Tswalu with nearly five years’ experience at three exceptional South African game reserves, namely Kapama Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve and Lion Sands Private Game Reserve … Continued

Tswalu Kalahari introduces the unique Truffle Safari

Truffle Safaris

Tswalu Kalahari is offering an exciting and innovative package for foodies and adventure lovers who would like to search for the elusive desert gold – the Kalahari Truffle (formerly Terfezia pfeilii, now known as Kalaharituber pfeilii).

Called !nabas by the San, these truffles are distantly related to French truffles but are not as aromatic and have a smooth brown skin. Like the French truffle, which is always found near the roots of oaks, the Kalahari truffle has a symbiotic relationship with a plant – the desert melon. Continued

Tswalu named one of the world’s most romantic hotels by Travel + Leisure magazine 2011

Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa’s largest privately owned game reserve, has been voted one of the World’s 50 Most Romantic Hotels by Travel + Leisure magazine. According to Travel + Leisure, one of the most prestigious and highly regarded travel magazines in the world, “.. there are as many ways to define romance as there are humans, but this list of the world’s most romantic hotels has something for (almost) everyone.” Continued

New manager for renovated Tswalu Kalahari Spa

Corli Schoeman

Corli Schoeman has been appointed manager of the newly renovated Tswalu Kalahari Spa. Corli comes to Tswalu from the award-winning Pezula Spa & Gym, Knysna, where, as Spa Manager, she headed a team of 25. Previously she managed the Wellness Centre at Marlin Lodge, Mozambique where she introduced a collection of natural, island inspired products and treatments.

“With her international experience and extensive training Corli will provide an outstanding spa experience to guests, individualised to exceed expectations,” says Tswalu MD, Russel Binks. “I’m pleased that she has joined us at the same time as we have completed our outdoor treatment area and indigenous spa garden to expand the spa and offer guests another dimension to the experience.” Continued