THE PROVINCE
The vast and arid Northern Cape is by far our largest province, slightly bigger than Germany and taking up nearly a third of South Africa’s land area. Yet it has the country’s smallest population – around 1-million people – and an extremely roomy population density of about three people per square kilometre.
Its landscape is characterised by vast arid plains with outcroppings of haphazard rock piles. The cold Atlantic Ocean forms the western boundary.
- Find out more: The Northern Cape province
SELECTED CONFERENCE & EXPO VENUES
Kalahari Gateway Hotel and Conference Centre, Kakamas
Situated in Kakamas, the Kalahari Gateway Hotel and Conference Centre is just 25 kilometres from the stunning Augrabies Falls.
The Gordonia conference suite is able to host up to 150 guests cinema style, while the three-star hotel features luxury air-conditioned rooms.
Nearby attractions include the Augrabies Falls, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, and the Namaqualand flower route. Worth a visit are the Water Tunnels, the Transformer Building (a national monument), the Orange River Wine Cellars Co-op, and the South African Dried Fruit Co-op.
Activities on offer include canoe trails, river-rafting, and sundowners.
Orange Valley Guest Farm, Gariep Dam
The Orange Valley Guest Farm is located about 10 kilometres from South Africa’s largest dam, the Gariep Dam, and is 40 kilometres north of Colesberg.
It can accommodate small conferences or team building of up to 16 people.
The farm has five suites with en-suite bathrooms and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including horse riding and mountain biking in the nearby Oviston Nature Reserve, river-rafting, gliding, sunset cruises, swimming, bird-watching, guided tours of the Gariep Dam and the Dam wall, and fly-fishing.
The Desert Palace Hotel & Casino Resort, Upington
The Desert Palace Hotel & Casino Resort in Upington, with Andalusia as its theme, presents a Mediterranean/European culture.
It offers state-of-the-art conference facilities with groups of between 60 and 300 delegates able to be accommodated.
The hotel offers double and twin rooms with en suite bathrooms and, for hotels guests only, there is a beautiful terraced garden and swimming pool available. Apart from the casino, there is an amusement centre for all ages, a creche to care for young children, and a squash and golf club.
The Flamingo Casino, Kimberley
The Flamingo Casino in Kimberley offers a larger venue for conferences, with its self-contained conference centre capable of accommodating up to 300 people. The centre can be divided up in a number of ways, while it also has two breakaway rooms for meetings.
It is a high-tech facility, offering all the mod cons one could wish for to ensure a successful conference.
At the entrance to the Flamingo Casino, the Road Lodge Hotel offers 90 bedrooms, sleeping from one to three people, with 24-hour service available.
The Kimberley Club
Founded in 1881 by diamond mining magnate Cecil John Rhodes, the Kimberley Club is a historical four-star boutique hotel located in the central business district of the Northern Cape city.
The club has a rich history and its visitors include Prince George, later the Duke of Kent in 1934, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, with the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret in 1947.
Nearby attractions include the Kimberley Mine Museum, known far and wide as the “Big Hole”; the Flamingo Casino for gaming fun; the McGregor Museum; the William Humphreys Art Gallery, which includes works by Dutch, British, Flemish and French Masters, as well as an outstanding South African collection; the Magersfontein Battlefield, the site of a famous Anglo-Boer war battle; and the Duggin Cronin Gallery, which chronicles the lives of different tribes that worked on Kimberley’s famous mines.
The conference venues at the Kimberley Club range from the Barney Barnato Room, which seats from six to eight people, through to the 20-seater Library, the 30-seater Rhodes Room, and the Dining Room, which can accommodate up to 180 people.
All the equipment one would need for a conference is either provided or can be acquired. Meals are included and there is secure parking for delegates.
The accommodation consists of standard and luxury rooms, as well as executive suites. There is even a disabled room for anyone confined to a wheelchair.
The Protea Hotel, Upington
On the banks of the Orange River, in the Kalahari Desert, is the town of Upington, an oasis in an unforgiving landscape. There one finds the Protea Hotel, a mere 10 minute drive from the airport.
It features 58 rooms, and four state-of-the-art conference venues, capable of hosting 200 delegates and, for catering purposes, up to 250 guests. The facilities include free broadband wireless internet access in all public areas, as well as in all conference rooms.
Upington is a place to experience the great outdoors and 4 x 4 twincab vehicles are available for hire for exploring the surrounds. Golf, tennis, squad, canoeing, and other watersports are available, as well as leisurely boat cruises.
From July to September, the incredible spectacle of the Namaqualand flowers, with their carpet of dazzling colours, makes for a wonderful attraction.
The Savoy Hotel, Kimberley
The Savoy Hotel first opened its doors in 1897 and retains its old-world charm into the 21st century, which is especially evident in the Tiffany Lounge, Bar and a la carte Restaurant.
For accommodation, the hotel has 44 rooms, while for conferences it has seven different venues, with equipment provided to ensure a professional and satisfying conference experience.
The hotel’s suggestions for entertainment include a visit to the Open Mine Museum, catching the tram that runs between City Hall and the museum, and the thrill and chill of the ghost tour which starts in the early evening and finishes at midnight.
The Waterfront Guest Farm, Upington
The Waterfront Guest Farm in Upington offers a tranquil setting on the banks of the Orange River.
There are reasonably priced conference facilities for up to 100 people (depending on configuration), while transport to and from the airport is available, and safe parking is on hand.
The farm has five luxurious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.
There are plenty of activities on offer, including canoeing, jet-skiing, water-skiing, tennis, and a swimming pool to relax in or alongside. Safaris and 4 x 4 trips can also be arranged.
Vergelegen Guest House, Kakamas
About 80 kilometres southwest of Upington is the town of Kakamas. On the outskirts of the town is the award-winning Vergelegen Guest House, situated in a beautiful farm setting, near the spectacular Augrabies Falls, which offers 10 luxury en-suite rooms.
There are conference facilities for up to 30 people. Business rooms with Internet and telephone ports are available.
For smaller gatherings, like private meetings and promotions, the Vergelegen Guest House offers an intimate alternative.
Plenty of outdoor activities are on offer, including walking trails at the Augrabies Falls National Park; Orange River Gorge canoe trails, lasting between three and seven days; half-day rafting; game viewing and night drives in the Augrabies Falls National Park; 4 x 4 trails; horse riding; mountain biking; photographic tours; historical tours; and vineyard and grape pack-house tours in season.
SAinfo reporter
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