NCTA Travel Guide 2012 - Northern Cape Tourism

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green Kalahari
The fertile valleys of the Orange River provide a stark
contrast to the bleak semi-desert of the Green Kalahari.
The majestic river meanders through a giant valley of its
own making. At the impressive Augrabies Falls National
Park, the deafening fury of torrents of gushing water
plummeting 56m down a series of 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, visitors can travel tranquilly from wine cellars to
tearooms in the desert; from a luxurious lodge to the
desolation of Verneukpan. Yet, not all is tamed. The mighty
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Africa’s first Transfrontier
Park, comprises almost 3.7 million hectares of sparsely
vegetated, red sand dunes and dry riverbeds.
The reserve provides sanctuary for 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 the mass
migration of different species, a truly awe-inspiring and
moving experience.
www.experiencenortherncape.com 19