Northern Cape

The Upper Karoo Route from Victoria West to Calvinia via Carnarvon offers the beautiful landscape of Northern Cape (strewn with daisies in spring), rare wildlife and a thriving, hospitable culture.

Northern Cape is a vast arid province bisected by the Orange River – a superb wedding destination, whether among lush vineyard greenery, spring wildflowers, or the stark dry beauty of the Kalahari.

Northern Cape is South Africa’s driest province, where the arid Karoo merges with the true desert of the Kalahari – but it offers wildlife aplenty, a mighty life-giving river and spectacular scenery.

The Wild Flower Route through Northern Cape province is a wonderland in spring, featuring legendary Namaqualand daisies and thousands more species, and again in autumn when the amaryllis bloom.

Northern Cape’s Diamond Coast – from Port Nolloth to Alexander Bay – is perfect for romantic getaways featuring shipwrecks, glorious scenery and spring flowers… and sparkly gems!

Sandgrouse, found in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and other Kalahari Desert reserves, are so well adapted to this arid environment that males can carry water many kilometres to their chicks.

The Riemvasmaak Community Conservancy in Northern Cape: hike, drive or bike silent Kalahari Desert splendour amid canyons and hot springs, hosted by survivors of apartheid’s forced removals.

The Richtersveld Community Conservancy – since 2007 a World Heritage Site – has a brilliant array of hardy plants adapted to the arid climate, and an ancient tradition of nomadic seasonal herding.

South Africa has 2 planetariums – Iziko Planetarium in Cape Town and Wits Planetarium in Johannesburg – and both are centrally located… and ready to blow your mind with the wonders of the universe.

Paddling a canoe or inflatable raft down the mighty Orange River in the safe hands of experienced guides is a fantastic way to experience this vein of life that pulses through arid Northern Cape.

A honeymoon in Northern Cape province can be all about desert peace, thunderous waterfalls, plains dotted with wildlife, vineyards and lazy river adventures, historic meanders or white-water thrills.

South Africa is a country of rich religious diversity, protected by the Constitution, so explore sacred architecture and spiritual traditions at our many historic places of worship.