“The finest hotel, offering guests a truly memorable experience in the heart of Upington. Located near the Orange River, with plenty of shops and restaurants within walking distance. The hotel is centrally located to attractions such as the Kalahari Oranje Museum Complex and many others.”
Riemvasmaak 4×4 Trails
The Riemvasmaak area (northwest of Kakamas) borders the Augrabies Falls National Park to the east and is as remote as its name is unusual.
Two rivers, the Orange and the dry Molopo cross the area. Ragged desert mountains, plateaus and valleys depict the story of great volcanic activity millions of years ago.
In terms of the apartheid policies of the previous government the people of Riemvasmaak – Xhosa, Nama and Coloured – were forcefully removed in 1973/74 to Namibia and the Eastern Cape.
Between 1973 and 1994 the South African Defence Force utilized Riemvasmaak as a training ground. The section known as Melkbosrand was incorporated into the Augrabies National Park. The South African National Park ran a breeding program for the Namibian black rhino on the 4000ha.
Efforts to bring the people of Riemvasmaak back to their land got momentum in 1993. It was one of the first land resititution projects in the New South Africa. Most of the original residents were back on their land at the end of 1995.
About two thirds of the people of Riemvasmaak belong to the Nama culture and live at the mission station. The Xhosa grouping live at the Vredesvallei settlement on the banks of the Orange River.
In 2002 the people of Riemvasmaak get the deeds to the plots they live on – a milestone for those who were landless for so long.
Riemvasmaak offers the tourist a variety of activities as well as breathtaking, rugged beauty.
Phone: +27 73 383 8812
Die Pienk Padstal, Kakamas
Die Pink Padstal is a landmark roadside stall situated in Kakamas, half way between the towns of Pofadder and Upington. Stop off to stock up on “padkos”.
Telephone: 083 381 9272
Address: Main Road
Kakamas, Northern Cape
Canoeing in the Mighty Orange River
The Orange River and The Richtersveld have a lifelong partnership. This river rafting adventure is rated as one of the best entry level rafting adventures in South Africa. An outdoor adventure for the whole family and friends. Umkulu Safari & Canoe Trails have been operating on the Orange River for the past 20 years. Our team is well experienced and very knowledgeable about this region.
We have been living alongside the Orange River for many years and have experienced this beautiful river in all her forms and now we want to share this adventure with you! Visit the Richtersveld and river raft the longest river in South Africa. Feel the flow from the Maloti mountains in the Drakensberg while paddling through the Richtersveld desert. Let our experienced team of river guides open your hearts to the Richtersveld and natural surroundings of The Orange River.
Our team has 19 years of leading experience in river rafting and safari adventures in Southern Africa. We are a registered Tour operator in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. A small owner operated company with a reliable and sustainable approach to conservation and adventure. Our safari experience separates us as a river operator. This allows our flexibility and responsible logistics with all our operations.
Kgalagadi Transfortier Park
Kgalagadi Trans Frontier Park covers an area of 37 000 square km park, which is one of the largest conservation areas in the world and one of the last truly unspoilt ecosystems.
Endemic game such as gemsbok, springbok, eland, giraffe, blue wildebeest and red hartebeest roam the sparsely vegetated red sand dunes and the dry river valleys of the Nossob and Auob where a variety of acacia species thrive.
The Park is well known for good sightings of lion, leopard and cheetah and spotted – and brown hyena are common residents. Because of an abundance of prey in the form of mice, whistling rats, birds and insects, smaller predators thrive in the park. The park is home to caracal, honey badger, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, cape fox, African wildcat, mongoose and the ever-popular suricate (meerkat).
Kgalagadi is a bird watcher’s paradise with more than 300 species recorded including at least 20 larger raptor species. The world’s heaviest flying bird, the Kori bustard and the stately secretary bird patrol the riverbeds while the noisy northern black korhaan rule in the dunes.
Kgalagadi offers various accommodation options ranging from exclusive Wilderness Camps to the traditional camps with good quality chalet accommodation and from well equipped campsites to camping on 4×4 trails in remote areas with little or no facilities A visit to Kgalagadi can be combined with a visit to surrounding areas including Augrabies Falls National Park and Mokala National Park. These unique ecosystems are better to be experienced with a personalized and knowledgeable guide, who can bring out the best these areas have to offer.
| TEL/FAX: + 27 (0) 54 3380375 | FAX: 086 6000827 (SA only) CELL: + 27 (0) 82 4935041 | dantes@kalahari-tours.co.za |
