| The Northern Cape is the largest of South | | | | open plains and mountains. This region is |
| Africa's provinces and the most sparsely | | | | renowned by astronomers for its remarkable |
| populated. Despite this, the Northern Cape | | | | night skies and is home to the South African |
| has plenty to offer visitors, whether their | | | | Astronomical Observatory. The region is also |
| interests lie in the origins of the diamond | | | | known for its spring wild flowers, and is |
| industry, the Anglo-Boer War, wildlife, the | | | | home to the rare Sterboom.Kgalagadi |
| brilliant spring flowers of Namaqualand, | | | | Transfrontier National Park:Africa's first |
| canoeing on the mighty Orange River or | | | | transfrontier park, Kgalagadi "land of |
| enjoying the clear skies and open spaces of | | | | thirst" is shared with and crosses the border |
| the Hantam and Upper Karoo.CLIMATE: The | | | | into Botswana to facilitate the migration of |
| Northern Cape experiences a diverse range of | | | | wildlife and the movement of free-roaming |
| climatic conditions because of the respective | | | | predators; red sand dunes, sparse vegetation |
| regions and altitudes. The Northern Cape | | | | and dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob |
| enjoys a summer rainfall, but this is | | | | ensure excellent opportunities for game |
| infrequent. The summer months have long, hot | | | | viewing and photography. Fifty-eight species |
| summer days and cool evenings. Winter days | | | | of mammal and more than 400 plant species |
| are moderate, but the nights are very cold | | | | share the desert and dry savannah, while |
| with temperatures often dropping below zero. | | | | approx. 260 species of bird, including at |
| Snow in winter and heavy frost falls at night | | | | least 20 species of large raptor share the |
| are common.SHOPPING: There are many shopping | | | | sky.Richtersveld National Park:Southern |
| malls, arts and craft shops, and many ethic | | | | Africa's largest mountain desert park, the |
| vendors on the beachfront. Good buys include | | | | Richtersveld is 160 000ha of lava mountains |
| mohair products such as jerseys, rugs and | | | | and sandy plains situated in the |
| blankets; the famous Karoo Lamb, dried fruit, | | | | north-western crook of the Orange River. It |
| diamonds, jewellery and gems.TOP TEN | | | | is also one of the world's most precious and |
| ATTRACTIONS:The Diamond Field:This area is | | | | fragile eco-systems. Its strange rock |
| known as the prairie country of Southern | | | | formations shaped and sculpted by the wind |
| Africa, with sun-drenched plains, covered in | | | | and sun, is a land for those keen to 'rough |
| grass and acacia thorn trees. To the | | | | it'. Visitors can explore the area from the |
| geologists this is a bewildering delight, and | | | | comfort of a 4x4 or by paddling long |
| for the tourist the "Diamond Way" is an | | | | stretches of the river.Green |
| exciting journey, taking one back in | | | | Kalahari:Dominating this region are the lush |
| time.Kimberley:Today the city is a | | | | vineyards and the massive Orange River, which |
| prosperous, thriving metropolis worthy of the | | | | meanders through a giant valley. The Kalahari |
| title, "the Diamond Capital Of The World". | | | | Gemsbok National Park and the Augrabies Falls |
| The city is geared for tourists, with plenty | | | | National Park - with its famous Black Rhino |
| to offer in terms of accommodation, | | | | Aventure, are not to be missed.Augrabies |
| restaurants, shopping malls and attractions. | | | | Falls National Park:The Augrabies Falls, |
| See a replica of the town during the greatest | | | | which is one of the five biggest waterfalls |
| diamond rush the world has ever seen, as well | | | | in the world, plunges a sheer 56m into a |
| as 'Eureka' - the world's first recorded | | | | rolling, turbulent maelstrom of foam, mist |
| diamond discovery at the Big Hole and | | | | and rainbows said to contain untold diamond |
| Kimberley Mine museum.Groenriviersmond:The | | | | wealth and a river monster. This is where the |
| seaside estuary of Groenriviersmond (Green | | | | black rhino can be found and visitors can |
| River Mouth) lies Southwest of Garies and | | | | also go on game drives.Kalahari:The |
| offers excellent fishing and crayfish diving | | | | sun-drenched Kalahari, with its ancient, |
| opportunities.Namaqualand:Spring time sees | | | | undulating landscape and endless horizons, |
| this region transformed from a desert | | | | evoke memories of a land before time. This |
| landscape into a carpet of colourful wild | | | | region is home to "The Eye" a permanent and |
| flowers, attracting many visitors. Also an | | | | abundant source of daily water. Hunting in |
| adventure tourist's playground, the region | | | | the area is popular and the Kalahari is home |
| offers hiking, canoeing and 4x4 trails. The | | | | to over 40 raptors and vulture species and 7 |
| coastline is popular with fishermen and hosts | | | | owl species.Gerald Crawford was born in South |
| a booming crayfish industry. Diamonds are | | | | Africa, studied electronics, |
| also mined from the sea and copper is mined | | | | telecommunication, eco-travel and african |
| too. The world-famous Richtersveld National | | | | travel concepts. He taught responsible |
| Park is found in this region.Hantam | | | | tourism in South Africa. If you have any |
| Karoo:Millions of years ago, this area was an | | | | questions or comments please e-mail me on. |
| inland sea and over time it has transformed | | | | E-mail Address: |
| into an arid and rugged landscape with wide | | | | southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co. |