Kimberley, the capital city of the Northern Cape, is famous for its diamond mines and The Big Hole, but this city is about much more than diamonds and mining.
It may be one of South Africa’s more historic cities, but it’s still a fascinating place to visit, with plenty to do both inside and outside!
Kimberley, the capital city of the Northern Cape province, is a historically significant and interesting place to visit, with many hidden ‘gems’ (pun intended) for visitors to discover.
The following are some of the best things to do in Kimberley:
#1 Explore The Big Hole
The Big Hole was a flat-topped hill over 150 years ago… until rumors of diamonds within spread and the Diamond Rush began. Thousands of prospectors descended on Kimberley, resulting in the world’s “largest hand-dug excavation.”
From 1871 to 1914, the Kimberley diamond mind, which is 463 metres wide and 240 metres deep, was active… It is still a local attraction and an important part of South African history today.
The Big Hole is one of Kimberley’s most popular tourist attractions and offers a truly unique family experience. The Kimberley Mine Museum, which flanks it, pays tribute to it.
Visitors can explore the visitors’ center and live a day in the life of a miner… Alternatively, visit the Kimberley Mine Museum or the Duggan-Cronin Bantu Gallery.
If you’re feeling particularly daring, you can even descend into the big holes themselves!
The Big Hole facilities are wheelchair accessible, and qualified first aid personnel are on-site throughout the day; pets and fire arms are not permitted.
#2 Pay a visit to the Sol Plaatje House Museum and Library.
The Sol Plaatje Museum honors the life of Sol Plaatje, a South African intellectual, journalist, writer, politician, and founding member of the African National Congress political party (ANC).
Sol Plaatje was a founding member of the ANC as well as the party’s first secretary general, a top journalist, and an accomplished author. He was also the first person to sing the national anthem, Nkosi Sikelele’ iAfrika, on record.
This museum and library contains a number of books, mostly African literature, as well as fascinating exhibits about Sol’s life… So it’s worth a visit if you want to learn about South Africa’s history.
#3 View Kamfers Dam from afar Kamfers Dam, a privately owned dam outside Kimberley, is one of four breeding areas for the graceful lesser flamingos in Africa, and the only one in South Africa.
The pretty, light pink birds are always a sight to behold, and they can be seen in flocks of up to 60, 000 birds at Kamfers Dam. These lovely birds are significant to Kimberley and its people for a variety of reasons… Unfortunately, the birds’ breeding site is under threat, so while you can see the dam from afar, it’s also a good idea to get involved in helping to preserve their habitat, either through Save the Flamingos or BirdLife South Africa.
#4 Visit Mokala National Park.
Mokala National Park, SANPark’s newest addition, is home to endangered species. This park is nestled in the hills about 70 kilometers outside of Kimberley.
It has a wide range of koppies (hills) and vast open plains. Visitors can enjoy flyfishing, self-catering accommodation, picnics, guided rock art drives, and much more at the park.
#5 Go to the Wildebeest Kuil Rock Centre.
Wildebeest Kuil Rock Centre has to be the best of the bunch if you’re looking for an interesting, outdoorsy heritage and cultural experience.
This community-based public rock art project and rock engraving site is an important part of Kimberley’s history and local community. It is open seven days a week and provides an informative and interesting center and site.
What is Kimberley best known for?
Kimberley is a prospecting city known for its high-quality diamonds, the world’s largest man-made excavation, and an impressive array of tourist attractions. It is the capital of the Northern Cape and is surrounded by five of South Africa’s major rivers, two of which are the Orange and Vaal.
How much does it cost to enter Kimberley’s Big Hole?
The entrance fee for adults is R 130. It is a bit pricey, so take one of the hourly guided tours to make it worthwhile. This also includes a film depicting early history from the perspectives of various cultures.
What is so intriguing about Big Hole?
The Big Hole spans 17 hectares and is 463 meters wide. It was excavated to a depth of 240 meters before being partially filled with debris, reducing the depth to approximately 215 meters. Since then, it has accumulated about 40 meters of water, leaving 175 meters of the hole visible.
