Overview
Take a trip to Northern Cape on your South Africa Vacation
Situated in the northwest corner of South Africa, the Northern Cape Province was once part of the vast Cape Province. After the elections of 1994 boundaries were redrawn and the Cape Province was split into three: the Western, Eastern and Northern Capes. Today the province is the largest and most sparsely populated in the country on South Africa tours.
The Northern Cape is rich in early history and is known for its Stone Age archaeological heritage. There are many rock art sites, usually found on hilltops, slopes and rock outcrops that showcase examples of Bushman art. The modern history of the province began in 1866 when the first diamond was discovered in what is now the capital city, Kimberley.
By 1871 a diamond rush hit the region and the world-famous Kimberley mine was established. It was here that Cecil Rhodes made his fortune and it is where the roots of the De Beers Company can be traced. Today Kimberley is known as a “living museum” as many of the old shops and restaurants from early diamond digging days remain.
Most of the province lies south of the Orange River and is made up of desert and semi-desert landscapes. Despite this, the area of Namaqualand becomes a blanket of beautiful wildflowers between August and September making it a popular spot amongst tourists on a South African vacation.
The Northern Cape is home to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park which is one of the largest nature conservations in Southern Africa and is one of the largest protected ecosystems in the world.
Most of the province lies south of the Orange River and is made up of desert and semi-desert landscapes. Despite this, the area of Namaqualand becomes a blanket of beautiful wildflowers between August and September making it a popular spot amongst tourists on a South African vacation.
The Northern Cape is home to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park which is one of the largest nature conservations in Southern Africa and is one of the largest protected ecosystems in the world.
At a Glance
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South African Rand (ZAR)What do the experts say?
Skip the more commercial wineries and visit artisanal producers—you’ll find sparkling wines and small-batch reds that are absolutely world-class.
Djembe drumming at GOLD in Cape Town is an immersive African experience through their 14-dish food safari and unique live entertainment.
The game viewing in Kruger and Eastern Cape always draws me back—it’s truly superb.
South Africans are famously warm—when you’re new in town, you're often invited to a braai, our way of welcoming people through food.
South Africa is a wonderful starting point for Africa. It's got some of the top cities in the world, stunning food and wine, and exceptional value for money.
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ExcellentBased on 5,216 ReviewsA BIG THANK YOU to Goway Travel, Brooke Theron and all of the partners onsite. Our trip to Africa was incredible, memories that will last forever.
Everything planned and more went perfectly. The guides, the excursions, the accommodations, everything, was just spectacular. Fortunately, everything ran on time, no delays, no problems.
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He has helped me find the best spots for my clients to experience and when I am looking for something and just can't figure it out, he is able to put together something better than I was thinking. He my go-to and I am thankful for all his help over the years!SherriGoway helped plan our two week trip to Peru and they (Virginia in particular) did a great job. The on-site logistics with Condor Travel went very smoothly, and the trip exceeded our expectations overall. They proactively suggested changes to our initial itinerary which were welcomed. I would recommend them and would work with them again in the future.Kate O'NeillWe entrusted Goway with every detail of our trip from start to finish and they came through for us superbly! Every single detail was smooth sailing. It was a joy to plan our travels with Goway!! We had an amazing trip of a lifetime!
E&DI recently went on an African Safari with my brother-in-law and sister and another couple who I knew. The entire experience was absolutely unbelievable. The complete details were flawlessly coordinated from the transfers to the breathtaking lodges. Our guides Peter showed us Kenya and Maulid Tanzania were very knowledgeable and very sharp eyes for finding the animals.
We were able to see the animals up close, learn a lot about the people, birds , vegetation etc.
We had several sundowners in the bush really added to a magical experience with beautiful sunsets.
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Thank you to Bijal for the excellent African Safari that you put together for us. You were wonderful.Nancy HayWe enjoyed our trip very much. I was very pleased by the hotel, tours, and itinerary selections that Alice Teramoto made for us. It was all well organized and easy to follow.
Thank you very much for helping us have a great experience in Peru.INEverything was planned perfectly. The excursions were so small and personal. ClaireGoway planned a custom 2 week safari trip for my wife and I which was beyond perfect. Extremely satisfied with the entire process from planning, booking and follow up. Special thanks to my Travel Specialists, Brooke Theron and Angela DonnellyNeil RWorking with Allan is absolutely a dream. He is one of the most responsive people I’ve had the pleasure of working with and his attention to detail is unmatched. I truly wish I could just use him for every single trip I need to book.Liz PooreKimberly Brown from Goway Travel made my trip to Australia & New Zealand a very memorable and remarkable experience. Every step and detail was fantastic and I will never forget the trip of a lifetime and it was because of the experience of Kimberly. If you are thinking about taking a trip to New Zealand and Australia, I highly recommend contacting Kimberly from Goway travel. David Klein
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