Northern Cape
This province is full of natural miracles: the Namaqualand flower phenomenon in spring, the Richtersveld World Heritage Site, the spectacular Augrabies Falls, the roaring dunes of Witsand, the Kuruman Eye, Boesmansgat sinkhole and the subterranean splendour of the enchanting Wonderwerk Cave, or just the crafty nests of the social weaver.
Attractions:
The incredible variety of Namaqualand plants has always been one of the Northern Cape’s most popular attractions. It is the most arid flowering area in the world, but it nevertheless boasts 3 500 plant species, of which more than 1 000 species are endemic. The explosion of colourful flowers in spring is unique. Richtersveld National Park, the only arid biodiversity hotspot in the world, is situated in the desert-like northernmost part of Namaqualand.
The Augrabies Falls in the Gariep (Orange) River in Augrabies Falls National Park are 60 metres high, which makes them the world’s sixth-largest waterfall. Witsand Nature Reserve near Postmasburg in the Kalahari features white sand dunes twenty to sixty metres high. Air streams in the sand causes them to ‘roar’. Another typical Kalahari sight are the huge nesting colonies of sociable weaver birds.
Another natural miracle of the Northern Cape is the Eye at Kuruman, the largest natural fountain in the southern hemisphere. Not far away is Boesmansgat (Bushman’s Hole), which is the world’s third-deepest natural sinkhole with a depth of 270 metres.
