Vast expanses of space and silence, drought and blazing
summer sunshine. The Orange River flows, at places in
a sluggish tide, at others in a powerful explosion of
sound and fury. If it were not for the river, most of
the region may have remained bleak and populated only
by nomadic bushmen. Instead
prosperous towns and villages have risen from its banks,
and large stretches of once-barren land have been transformed
into fields of cotton, lucerne, dates and grapes.
Kimberley
This town is where hordes of prospectors came sourcing
the river banks for diamonds. The "Big Hole"
is a must to see where some 14.5 million carats of diamonds
have been extracted.
Highlights
include the Kimberley Mine Museum and a ride on the
tramways which take you from the City Hall to the museum.
Namaqualand A
site never to be forgotten - it is well worth the trip
to see the flowers in bloom from one horizon to another.
Instead
prosperous towns and villages have risen from its banks,
and large stretches of once-barren land have been transformed
into fields of cotton, lucerne, dates and grapes.
Highlights
include the Kimberley Mine Museum and a ride on the
tramways which take you from the City Hall to the museum.