IN THE NEWS Explore NC and keep kids entertained
WITH the winter school holidays in full swing, five spots in the Northern Cape have been identified that will “keep the children entertained” and also lead to some exploring of the Province. Experience the Karoo
Highlands Route. Situated in the southern part of the Province, the Karoo Highlands Route incorporates the small Karoo towns of Nieuwoudtville, Calvinia, Williston, Sutherland, Fraserburg, Carnarvon, Loxton and Victoria West.
Meet the locals, enjoy hearty Karoo food and experience the Northern Cape’s local attractions ranging from astronomy and architecture to Anglo-Boer War sites and rock art. Taste your way along the Kokerboom Food
and Wine Route Located in an arid zone where the Kalahari and the Nama-Karoo deserts meet, the Kokerboom Food and Wine Route showcases a region of the Province that is turned into a lush oasis by the Orange River.
Towns and settlements on the route are Keimoes, Kanoneiland, Kenhardt, Augrabies, Upington and Marchand.
Here attractions include culture, adventure, nature and, of course, the local food and wine offerings that, in addition to the indigenous quiver tree, gave rise to the route’s name.
Explore the Augrabies
Falls National Park
The Augrabies Falls National
Park covers an area of 820km² and stretches along the Orange River. The name Augrabies was derived from Ankoerebis (literally the “place of big noises”), the Khoikhoi people’s original name for the waterfall.
Go on a day hike, a night drive or a canoe safari. Take your mountain bike out for a spin or spend an afternoon birdwatching. There are several accommodation options in the park, ranging from camp sites and self-catering chalets to luxury guest houses, so there is something for every level of traveller.
Have a sandy adventure on the Kalahari Red Dune Route Make memories in the heart of the Kalahari getting to grips with all the cultural activities on offer along the Kalahari Red Dune Route.
Learn to shoot the bow and arrow or try local delicacies such as the Kalahari truffle. Best known for its adventure and adrenaline offerings, you can enjoy sandboarding down a massive red dune, go camel riding or 4x4 trailing.
Venture into the |Ai-|Ais/ Richtersveld Transfrontier Park The |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park straddles the Orange River border between South
Africa and Namibia. South Africa visitors are able to cross the river, with their vehicles, via a point at Senglesdrift into the Namibian side of the park.
Managed by the local Nama people and the SA National Parks, the park, which boasts kloofs, high mountains and rugged terrain, is not for the faint-hearted traveller: it is only accessible by means of a 4x4 vehicle.
The park has five camping sites that all have full ablution facilities and the four surrounding Richtersveld community towns also offer unique new accommodation.
– Norma Wildenboer