Northern Cape

National Park

Welcome to the African safari of your childhood daydreams. Packs of entertaining meerkats scurry across the sand, antelopes wander the dry river beds munching on thorny vegetation, and as dusk nears the implausibly large sun dips behind orange and white sand dunes leaving behind a star-filled sky. Best of all though are the predator sightings: prides of black-maned lions relaxing in the shade, spotted hyenas roaming in pairs and cheetahs prowling for their dinner.

Museum

Although the R50 million that turned the Big Hole into a world-class tourist destination came from De Beers, touring the world’s largest hand-dug hole gives an honest impression of the mining industry’s chequered past in Kimberley. Visits start with an entertaining 20-minute film about mining conditions and characters in late-19th-century Kimberley, and a walk along the Big Hole viewing platform. The open-air steel contraption, jutting out over the 1.6km-round, 215m-deep chasm, enhances the vertigo-inducing view of the 40m-deep turquoise water.

National Park

The centrepiece of this park is the 56m-high waterfall created when the Gariep (Orange) River thunders through a ravine. The nearby Bridal Veil Falls drop 75m and most people simply follow the boardwalks past the falls and leave shortly afterwards, but there is plenty more to explore. Look out for dassies (cute, furry creatures that look like outsized gerbils) hopping across the rocks, tackle a day hike or take a wildlife drive deeper into the park.

Cultural Centre

Serving both as a community centre and a much-needed tourist draw, Ko Kasi is a must-stop if you're passing through Kuruman. Started by two local entrepreneurs in 2016, the award-wining start-up includes a craft shop, a traditional African spa and a cafe serving pizzas, traditional meals and homemade ginger beer. They can arrange donkey cart trips (R50) around Mothibistad and host pop-up markets and storytelling sessions. The whole place is constructed from recycled materials, including the spa built from old tyres.

National Park

South Africa’s remotest national park presents a barren but undeniably striking landscape filled with weird rock formations and sandy moonscapes dotted with otherworldly trees. This transfrontier park, which straddles the South Africa-Namibia border, is not so much a place for wildlife viewing but for demanding hikes, adventurous drives and survivalist fun. The park is accessible by 4WD only and you need to be completely self-sufficient once you venture past the park gates.

Archaeological Site

On a site owned by the !Xun and Khwe San people, who were relocated from Angola and Namibia in 1990, this small sacred hill has 400-plus rock engravings dating back millennia. Visits start with a video detailing the troubled history of the !Xun and Khwe, followed by an excellent interpretative guided tour. The centre is 16km northwest of town, en route to Barkly West. A shared taxi costs R45; a private taxi costs around R390 return, including waiting time.

Observatory

During the day you can take a guided tour of the huge research telescopes, including the Southern African Large Telescope, but it's the two-hour night tours that are the real draw. After a short video, you head outside to take a sky safari, thanks to two 16in telescopes. Times vary depending on the time of year and bookings are essential. Dress very warmly, even in summer.

Gallery

One of the country’s best public galleries, with changing exhibitions of contemporary South African work, as well as a surprisingly good collection of European masters. The cafe (mains R30 to R80) sits in a lovely garden and is a perfect spot for tea and cake.

Historic Site

Established by the London Missionary Society in 1816, the mission was named after long-serving Scottish missionaries Robert and Mary Moffat. They converted the local Batlhaping people to Christianity, started a school and translated the Bible into Tswana. The mission became a famous staging point for explorers and missionaries heading further into Africa. The Moffats’ daughter married David Livingstone in the mission church, a stone-and-thatch building with 800 seats.