The sun-drenched Kalahari is an often forgotten corner of South Africa. Its vast, ancient landscape undulates misty horizons that remember the beginning of time. A journey from Gauteng to Namibia, or the Cape, via Upington, brings unsuspecting travellers to the gateway of this mysterious land.
Black Rock - manganese mining village 25km from Hotazel
Dibeng - on the banks of the dry Gamagara River; farming community.
Hotazel - town built around manganese mines with good recreation facilities
Kathu
Kuruman
Olifantshoek -farming town on N14 south of Kuruman
Van Zylsrus - popular stop-over on route to Kgalagadi and surrounded by the dunes of the Kalahari
Amid its deceptive desolation, the Kalahari is a richly vegetated desert area which is home to a large verity of African wildlife. The Oasis of the Kalahari, Kuruman, is the main town and its wonder fountain, the Eye, has been known as the fountain of Christianity since it supplied water to the renowned Moffat Mission from where the Gospel was spread deep into Africa.
Further North-west, on the gravel road to Van Zylsrus and the internationally famous Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, one enters the hunting mecca of the region.
The accommodation and facilities on game farms range from luxurious to adventurous. A unique feature in the culture-historical hertiage is the limestone homesteads in the area. Various magnificent 4x4 routes are available.
Off the beaten track are mining towns of Hotazel and Black Rock where modern technology has only begun to scratch at the surface of the manganese ore wealth.
Forty-five kilometres south-west of Kuruman, on the national road, lies the picturesque town of Kathu on the fringe of the Kathu Forest Reserve with its majestic camelthorn trees. The town owes its exitence entirely to the exploration of iron ore deposits by Iscor.
At the foot of the Langeberg lies the beautiful village Olifantshoek, or often called the "Gateway to the White and Roaring Sands". The white sand has a loose granular texture which does not mix with the surrounding red sand and any disturbance of the 100m high Roaring Sands, particularly in hot dry weather, produces a weird roaring sound.
Among the many attractions of the region are the Wonderwerk Cave which takes one on a journey to primaeval times, the Eye which delivers 20 million litres of water daily and which is the breeding ground of an endangered specie of cichlid fish. Tierkop Environment Service Centre for information and training at Lohathla, nature parks, a bird sanctuary and hiking trails.
Unsurpassed beauty and splendour characterise the Kalahari.
Contact
Kalahari Tourism
Main Road, Kuruman
Tel: +27 53 712 1001
Fax: +27 53 712 2502
