TOURIST INFORMATION
The Regional Tourism Office
Private Bag x6039, Upington, 8800
Tel 054 337 2804
Fax 054 337 2894
E-mail greenkal@mweb.co.za
Website www.greenkalahari.co.za
Cities/Towns: Andriesvale, Augrabies, Beeshoek, Dani?lskuil, Groblershoop, Kakamas, Kanoneiland, Keimoes, Kenhardt, Mier Area/Askham, Noenieput, Olifantshoek, Postmansburg, Upington.
Bleak, shimmering semi desert contrast dramatically with lush vineyards filling the Orange River's fertile valleys. The large body of water meanders through a valley of its making, between the massive islands defying its erosive powers.
Once the border of the Cape Colony, the Green Kalahari was South Africa's Wild West and many a rogue, including the notorious Scotty Smith, sought refuge from the law in its far spaces.
The legendary Koranna leader, Klaas Lukas, occupied the second-biggest island on the river. From his impregnable base, he gave the Cape government and Reverend Christian Schröder the permission needed to establish missionary settlements on the north bank of the river. His edict led to the establishment of Keimoes, and Abraham September, a freed slave, initiated irrigation along the Orange River. Klaas Island is now part of the Augrabies Falls National Park, where the fury of the a huge torrent of angry water plummeting 90m down a series odd granite cataracts speaks volumes for the river's awesome power. By 1884, the river had been claimed by colonialists, and irrigation and development followed. Today, you can travel peacefully from a raisin processing plant to a catfish farm; from wine cellars to tearooms in the desert; from a luxurious lodge to desolation of Verneukpan.
Yet, not all is tamed. The mighty Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Africa's first transfrontier park, comprises almost four million hectares of sparsely vegetated, red sand dunes and dry riverbeds. The reserve provides sanctuary for antelope, gemsbok, springbok, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, eland, lion, leopard, cheetah and smaller game. One of Africa's last pristine game reserves, the size of The Park allows for mass migration of different species.
