The Northern Cape is South Africa’s largest province, taking up nearly a third of the country but with the fewest people. It stretches from the Atlantic coast to the borders of Botswana and Namibia, with landscapes that shift from desert plains to mountains.
The San and Khoi peoples lived here long before Europeans, leaving rock art more than 6,000 years old. Tswana-speaking communities later settled the area, and the 19th-century diamond rush changed it again, drawing people from around the world. Under apartheid, places like Riemvasmaak saw forced removals, but many families have since returned and now run community-based tourism projects.
Despite its dry look, the province is part of the Succulent Karoo, a unique biodiversity hotspot with over 6,000 plant species, nearly half found nowhere else. Here are some of the best routes through the Northern Cape.
The N7 runs from Cape Town all the way to the Namibian border, cutting through some of the Northern Cape’s most striking landscapes. As you drive, the scenery changes noticeably, shifting from a coastal Mediterranean climate into wide stretches of desert. Along the way you pass through Namaqualand, known for its spring wildflowers, and continue past quiver tree forests, the old mining town of Springbok, and the rocky mountains of the Richtersveld.
You can stop at small farm stalls for biltong and dried fruit, visit old copper mines, and pull over to watch the sunsets that light up the desert sky. This isn’t a drive to rush.
Most people begin in Cape Town and finish at the Vioolsdrif border crossing into Namibia. Springbok works well as a halfway stop. If you are coming from inland South Africa, you can also join the route from Upington.
Driving it straight takes around 8 to 10 hours. To make the most of it, allow 3 to 5 days with overnight stops along the way.
Namaqualand in bloom in early September © Marie-Anne AbersonM/Shutterstock
The Richtersveld is South Africa’s only mountain desert and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Orange River runs through valleys carved out of volcanic rock, and the area is known for halfmens trees, which grow nowhere else. The Nama people have lived here for generations, and you still come across small communities where their traditions continue.
The driving is slow and demanding, but it gets you to places you would never reach otherwise. You cross mountain passes with names like Hell’s Gate, soak in natural hot springs, and camp under open skies with no light pollution.
Many travelers also come here to raft the Orange River or to see the unusual wildlife that has adapted to desert life. Because it is so remote, you need to come prepared with fuel, water, and camping gear for the whole trip.
Common starting points are Alexander Bay or Port Nolloth on the west coast. From there you enter through Sendelingsdrift and usually exit at Vioolsdrif. Some travelers begin in Springbok or join the route from the N7.
Set aside 4 to 7 days. The terrain makes for slow driving, and most of the journey involves camping in isolated areas.
Iconic quiver tree in Richtersveld National Park © Geoff Sperring/Shutterstock
This drive follows the Orange River through a rugged landscape of granite and desert, with Augrabies Falls as the highlight. Here the river drops 184 feet (56 meters) into a narrow gorge. Inside Augrabies Falls National Park, you can drive between viewpoints, walk short trails, or join a guided sunset drive to see animals like bat-eared foxes and springbok.
The circuit also takes you through Keimoes and Kakamas, where vineyards and date farms grow along the river in sharp contrast to the dry surroundings. You can stop for wine tastings at the Orange River cellars, visit San rock engravings nearby, or try rafting trips that run below the falls.
The loop usually begins and ends in Upington, the largest town in the area. It connects Augrabies Falls National Park with Kakamas and Keimoes, tracing a triangle along the Orange River.
Plan for 2 to 3 days to see the full circuit. A day trip from Upington is possible, but staying overnight means you get to see the falls at sunrise and sunset when the gorge has the most atmosphere.
Mokala National Park on the Karoo Oasis route © LouisLotterPhotography/Shutterstock
This route takes you into the upper Karoo, a place of wide plains and flat-topped hills. Towns like Carnarvon, Williston, and Calvinia have their own character, with corbelled houses, small museums, and menus that feature traditional Karoo lamb. Sheep farming is central here, and the landscapes reflect the challenges of living in a dry climate.
Highlights along the way include the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope project near Carnarvon, as well as fossil sites that tell the story of the Karoo’s ancient landscapes. After the rare seasonal rains, the usually muted scenery comes alive with succulents in bloom and shallow pans that draw in flamingos.
You can begin in Calvinia if you are coming from the west or in Victoria West if you are approaching from the south. Some travelers link the drive with Sutherland or continue north to connect with other Northern Cape routes.
Allow 3 to 4 days to do it properly. The towns are spread out, and the landscapes reveal their detail slowly, so it is best not to rush.
A magnificent black-maned lion © JMx Images/Shutterstock
Just outside Kimberley, Mokala is a good choice if you want a quieter safari. The park is focused on conservation, so you’ll come across animals that are harder to find in other reserves, like black and white rhino, roan and sable antelope, and tsessebe.
The scenery shifts between camel thorn savanna and rocky dolerite hills, which makes driving through the park interesting. Some camps are predator-proof, so you can safely walk around certain areas.
You can take your own vehicle on the road network, join a guided drive, or try a rhino tracking walk. Since Kimberley is so close, it’s easy to add a visit to the Big Hole or the city’s diamond history sites. Birdwatching is also rewarding here, with huge sociable weaver nests hanging from the trees.
The park is about 45 miles (70 km) southwest of Kimberley, so the city works as a natural base. Many people stop here when traveling between Kimberley and the Kalahari or on longer drives toward Cape Town.
Plan on 2 to 3 days if you want enough time to cover different habitats and improve your chances of seeing wildlife. You can visit as a day trip from Kimberley, but most of your driving will be in the hotter part of the day when animals are less active.
Augrabies Falls on the Northern Cape's Quiver Tree route © Leon Marais/Shutterstock
The Red Dune Route takes you into the southern Kalahari, where long ridges of red sand stretch across the desert. It links small towns like Askham and Noenieput before reaching the southern entrances to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Along the way you can visit sheep and game farms, watch meerkats at their colonies, and learn about traditional San tracking skills. Wildlife here is adapted to the desert, so you are likely to see gemsbok and springbok, and with luck the black-maned lions that the Kalahari is known for.
Farm stays along the route add to the experience, with dune drives at sunset, home-style meals, and local stories about life in the desert.
Most travelers begin in Upington and head north through Askham toward the Kgalagadi. Others set out from Kuruman, or cross from Namibia at the Rietfontein border post.
Allow at least 2 to 3 days. Many travelers extend the trip to spend time inside Kgalagadi as well. The gravel roads are slow and you will want time to stop along the way.
Kimberley's Big Hole © Jennifer Sophie/Shutterstock
Sutherland is one of the best places in South Africa for stargazing, thanks to its altitude and dry climate. The South African Large Telescope (SALT) is the main draw, and guided tours give you a closer look at the research that happens here. The drive in takes you through the Roggeveld Mountains, with scenery that shifts by season. In winter, snow sometimes falls across the high ground, while spring brings patches of wildflowers.
In town you can explore historic churches, visit fossil sites, and learn about the region’s long connection to astronomy. The temperature extremes, with hot summers and freezing winters, have shaped both the wildlife and the way people live here. Beyond the science, the wide open landscapes often draw artists and writers who come for the quiet and the clear skies.
You can reach Sutherland from Matjiesfontein on the N1, from Calvinia to the north, or via Ceres if you are coming from Cape Town. Many travelers make a loop through Karoo towns so the journey is as interesting as the destination.
Plan for at least 2 to 3 days so you can adjust to the altitude, visit SALT, and spend time under the night skies. In winter, allow extra time in case snow slows travel on the mountain passes.
The Kgalagadi covers a vast area across South Africa and Botswana, with red dunes and dry riverbeds that act as natural pathways for wildlife. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas are commonly seen moving along the Auob and Nossob riverbeds, while antelope gather at boreholes.
Birdlife is another highlight, from martial eagles overhead to tiny pygmy falcons. At night you might hear barking geckos, and in summer, thunderstorms light up the desert sky.
Driving here is slow going on sandy tracks, so overnight stops at rest camps are part of the experience. Much of the wildlife activity happens around the waterholes, which makes them good places to linger.
Most people enter through Twee Rivieren gate, about 160 miles (260 km) from Upington. Another option is the Kaa gate near Kuruman. Some travelers link both routes into a circular trip that connects with other Kalahari destinations.
Allow at least 4 to 5 days inside the park. The distances are long and the driving is slow, so having time to move between camps makes the journey more relaxed. You will also need to add travel time from the nearest towns.
The white dunes of Witsand feel out of place in the red Kalahari. They’re known for the strange rumbling sound they make when the sand shifts, something you’ll only hear in a few places worldwide.
You can ride a sandboard down the slopes, join a guided walk to learn about how the dunes formed, or climb up for a quiet evening of stargazing. Around the reserve, you’ll also find San rock art sites, sheep farms typical of the Northern Cape, and seasonal pans that draw large flocks of birds. If you time your visit with a full moon, the dunes take on a pale glow that makes the landscape even more unusual.
The reserve is between Kimberley and Upington, usually reached via Groblershoop. It works well as part of a longer trip through the Northern Cape, but it’s also worth visiting on a short weekend getaway.
Plan for 1 to 2 days to explore the reserve itself. Many people combine it with nearby highlights, but even a quick visit feels rewarding.
After the winter rains, Namaqua National Park changes completely. In August and September, the Skilpad section is covered in color, with thousands of orange, yellow, purple, and white blooms across the hills. More than 3,500 plant species grow here, many of them found nowhere else.
Outside flower season, the park is still worth exploring. The coastline has long beaches, seal colonies, and good fishing. Inland, small towns like Kamieskroon and Hondeklip Bay make easy bases, and crayfish is a local favorite.
The inland flower route usually starts from Springbok or Vanrhynsdorp. For the coastal side, most people head in from Port Nolloth or Kleinsee. You can also make a loop that combines both areas.
During flower season, plan 3 to 4 days to see different areas and catch blooms at their peak. Outside those months, 2 to 3 days is enough to explore the coast and nearby towns.
Springbok is the main hub of Namaqualand and the place to start if you want to see Goegap Nature Reserve. The reserve spreads across a landscape of granite domes and is especially known for its wildflowers in spring, when hundreds of plant species come into bloom. Outside flower season, you can still see Hartmann’s mountain zebra, klipspringer, and other wildlife.
In Springbok itself, the Namaqua Museum covers the town’s copper mining history, and you can also take in some of its older architecture. Abandoned mines around the area show just how tough life was here in the desert. If you want to get out into the reserve, the Klipkop hiking trail is a good option, or you can take a 4x4 drive through its more remote sections.
The trip begins in Springbok, with Goegap only about 9 miles (15 km) away. Travelers often stop here while driving the N7, or use it as a base for exploring Namaqualand further.
Two to three days gives you enough time to see the flowers in season, take a game drive at sunrise or sunset, and explore the cultural side of Springbok. A single day is enough to get a sense of the reserve, but staying overnight lets you experience more.
Riemvasmaak is known for both its dramatic landscape and the community that lives here. The people were displaced during apartheid and later returned, rebuilding their lives in the surrounding mountains. The natural hot springs, around 150°F (65°C), make for a memorable soak in a remote gorge.
The community runs cultural activities that might include traditional meals, guided walks to petroglyphs, or performances that share Nama traditions. If you have a 4x4, you can continue along gravel tracks into the valley to reach waterfalls, striking rock formations, and areas with desert wildlife.
You reach Riemvasmaak from Kakamas or Augrabies Falls National Park. The road into the valley needs a high-clearance vehicle, and if you want to go further than the springs, a 4x4 is best.
Allow two to three days if you want time for the springs as well as the cultural side of the visit. A day trip is possible, but the evenings in the mountains are part of what makes the place special.
This route circles around Kimberley’s Big Hole, the world’s largest hand-dug excavation. It was here in the 1870s that the diamond rush began, creating both the mine and the city that grew around it.
At the Big Hole and the Kimberley Mine Museum you can walk through reconstructed buildings, see the old mining equipment, and get a sense of what life was like during the boom years.
The circuit also takes in the Victorian architecture around town, the William Humphreys Art Gallery, and sites connected to the Anglo-Boer War siege. You can step inside the original De Beers headquarters, go underground on guided mine tours, and learn more about the geology that made this such a diamond-rich area. In the evenings, ghost tours, old pubs, and the historic Kimberley Club show you another side of the city’s past.
The loop is based around Kimberley, with most places of interest only a few miles (a few kilometers) from the Big Hole. Some travelers combine Kimberley with Mokala National Park or use it as a starting point for exploring more of the Northern Cape.
Plan for 2–3 days if you want to cover the museums, guided tours, and surrounding historic sites. A day trip is possible but you will miss much of Kimberley’s layered history.
This loop links three very different experiences: the waterfalls at Augrabies, the community-run hot springs at Riemvasmaak, and the irrigated farmland around Kakamas.
Sunrise is one of the best times to see Augrabies, when the canyon walls glow in the early light. From there, a rough road takes you to Riemvasmaak, where the hot springs sit in a dramatic valley and local projects welcome visitors.
The final leg passes through Kakamas, where canals from the Orange River irrigate vineyards and date plantations. Along the way you can go rafting, try climbing routes in the surrounding cliffs, sample local wines, or join cultural events in the communities that live here.
Most people start the loop in Upington or at Augrabies Falls, then continue through Riemvasmaak and Kakamas before returning to the starting point. Driving it in either direction works, although beginning at Augrabies means you catch the best morning light at the falls.
Three to four days is enough to drive the loop at a comfortable pace and spend time at each stop. Pushing through too quickly can make the rough roads more stressful and leaves little time to relax into the journey.
Kuruman is known as the "Oasis of the Kalahari" because of its spring, which produces around 5.3 million gallons (20 million liters) of clear water every day. The flow has remained constant for centuries, even during drought, making it a lifeline in this part of the Northern Cape.
The Moffat Mission, established in 1816, is another key stop. It is one of the oldest mission stations in South Africa and home to the printing press that produced the first Setswana Bible. The original buildings are still in use, and the gardens have been cared for over generations.
A short drive away is Wonderwerk Cave, an archaeological site where people lived as far back as two million years ago. Excavations here have uncovered stone tools, fire remains, and other signs of early human life. You can also explore the Kuruman Hills, shaped by iron ore deposits, or spend time on nearby game farms. Kuruman is also a good place to connect with Tswana traditions and culture.
The route is based around Kuruman town. It is on the road between Upington and Gauteng and is often used as a stopover for travelers heading toward the Kalahari or Botswana.
Plan for 2 days if you want to see Kuruman and Wonderwerk Cave without rushing. You can cover the main highlights in a single day, but an overnight stay gives you more time to enjoy the quieter side of the area.
written by
Dre Roelandt
updated 01.09.2025
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