Visitors to South African game reserves are usually thrilled to see Africa’s big cats. But what of Africa’s smallest cat, the black-footed cat? This tiny carnivore is rarely seen, other than at Benfontein Nature Reserve near Kimberley in the Northern Cape, where it has been studied for 19 years. more

Kimberley, thanks to the fevered diamond rush of the 1870s, has a glittering past and present. Take a guided tour of a once-operational diamond mine, which descends a staggering 840m below the earth. For those who prefer being above ground, visit the city's glittering choice of jewellery stores. more

It was a wild and crazy time. People from all over the world descended on diamond-rush Kimberley in the hope of making a fast fortune from the glittering gems. It was the first town in Africa to have electrical streetlights and the Kimberley tram made its first journey in 1887. more

The Kimberley Mine Museum is a window back to a time when fortune seekers converged here to dig for diamonds. This mining museum recreates what the town must have looked like, while allowing visitors to admire a replica of the stone on which the country’s diamond wealth was founded. more

Namaqualand attracts more than 100 000 visitors every year, mainly because of its spectacular variety of wildflowers. You can explore this vast region of the Northern Cape on horseback, allowing you to access areas off the beaten track. more

The wide-open landscapes of the Northern Cape province beckon to off-road drivers and 4x4 adventurers wanting to test their mettle across its mountainous terrain, deep ditches and soaring dunes where trails may take just a few hours or many gut-wrenching days. more

McDougall’s Bay is something of a coastal playground in the Northern Cape province - a region better known for its deserts and wild flowers than its beaches. Modern day pursuits such as windsurfing, kayaking and bodysurfing are a highlight; however this Bay also has a fascinating history that dates back to the time of Bartholomeu Dias. more

The Nieuwoudtville Falls are found north of the lovely little town of Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape’s Great Karoo. Spectacular after good summer rains, they are formed where the Doring River drops 100m down to a rock pool. Picnic by the falls or stay overnight at the camping site. more

In Namaqualand you can journey for hours without seeing a soul. Here, you can experience the ancient land of the Bushmen, which is rich with some 4000 species of plants, many of which flower in Spring (August and September). This is the world of Loeriesfontein, Northern Cape. more

The Spitskop Nature Reserve in the Northern Cape offers hunting, hiking, bird watching and viewing of Kalahari game. These include the majestic oryx (or 'gemsbok' as it is called in South Africa), eland, mountain zebra and great herds of springbok. more

At first sight Upington, in the vast Northern Cape, may seem an unremarkable town, but its layers must be peeled away to find its intriguing essence. Upington is steeped in history and tells a fascinating Wild West-type tale of missionaries, diamond smugglers and horse rustlers. more

The Diamond Coast, which winds along the Northern Cape Province’s coast in South Africa, is the road less travelled and wonderfully romantic. Visitors can experience the allure that drew adventurers and fortune hunters to this area throughout history. more

The dramatic landscape is home to some unique Northern Cape art galleries where the art breathes everlasting life into the people and the places of this province. Discover how what is visible to the eye tells the story or a region’s soul. more

The Star of the West, Kimberley's oldest pub, lies within sight of the city's famous Big Hole, a perfect location for a tavern that grew out of the same diamond rush that put the city on the map. more