EXPLORE OUR:
TOURISM & ATTRACTIONS
Whats happening at The Estate and around us!
Coming to Kimberley for business or pleasure and need some information about the diamond city
Well look no further! Below you can find a list of the best tourist attractions available in our beautiful city and province.
Entertain your friends and family with a diverse list of activities for young and old. Visit the world famous Big Hole and its newly built historical centre, or get some chills on your back by doing the "Ghost Trail", which takes you to some of the oldest buildings in Kimberley claiming to have some spirits still looking for their wealth.
Do check back regularly as we will update this page with attractions as they come along!
THE BIG HOLE
World famous, a must for the whole family!
150 years ago, the site of the Big Hole was a featureless, flat-topped hill. Then word spread that diamonds had been discovered. Soon thousands of prospectors, armed with nothing more than picks, shovels and hope, descended on Kimberley and created the largest hand-dug excavation in the world.
Digging commenced at the Kimberley Mine site in 1871. By the time mining ended on 14 August 1914, the mine had yielded 2,722 kilograms of diamonds, extracted from 22,5 million tons of excavated earth.
Inside the Exhibition Centre the multi-faceted story of diamonds is revealed, including the myths and legends of ancient peoples who believed that diamonds have many mysterious powers. The storyline also covers the colonial history of South Africa and the sub-region, which entered a dramatic phase after the diamond rush. Like an epic story, the history of diamonds in South Africa contains episodes of anguish and tragedy.
After walking hundreds of miles from their villages around Southern Africa, many workers were faced with a hard existence in the compounds that were constructed to keep them productive - and prevent theft. Photographs, archive material and original artefacts illustrate the story of diamonds from the past to the present.
Contact Phenyo Marumo on tel: 053 830 4423
OTHER LOCATIONS
Other attractions in Kimberley
- AFRICANA LIBRARY: Opened in 1887 – contains rare books and a wealth of material on Africa, the Northern Cape and Kimberley. One of the best research ibraries in South Africa.
- KAMFERSDAM: – a must for bird enthusiasts… National Heritage site. Home and breeding ground of the largest flocks of greater and lesser flamingos in the southern hemisphere. Viewing can be arranged – prior notice required.
- BATTLEFIELDS: The Kimberley area is rich in battlefields from the Anglo-Boer War (1899 - 1902). A trip to Magersfontein 30km from Kimberley is well worth a visit.
- McGREGOR MUSEUM: (within walking distance) This museum offers everything from Archaeology to Zoology - as well as insight into the mining days of Kimberley. The building has a history of its own having been a hotel, a sanatorium, a convent and now a museum.
- DUGGAN CRONIN GALLERY: (within walking distance): A photographic display unrivalled in South Africa depicting the indigenous people of South Africa through the 20th Century – right next door to the McGregor Museum.
- GHOST TOURS: entertaining off the beaten track history tour – with real ghost stories and spooky venues- call Steve 083 732 3189 or Dirk 083 265 4795.
- BELGRAVIA HISTORICAL WALK: Kimberley’s first exclusive suburb (2 hour walk) – we are situated on the walk.
- WILLIAM HUMPHREYS ART GALLERY: South Africa’s only Grade1 art gallery – exhibits both local artists and old masters!
- WILDEBEESKUIL CENTRE: 15km from Kimberley – a rock engraving, archaeological and historical site. It is estimated that the art may range from 2500 and 200 years of age. Small tourist centre on site with guides.
- AVIATION MUSEUM: Close to the airport, this small museum offers a fascinating history of aviation in S.A
- CLYDE N. TERRY HALL OF MILITARIA: A display on international militaria from World War II.
- FREDDIE TAIT GOLF MUSEUM: First golfing museum in South Africa.
- RELIGIONS IN THE DIAMOND FIELDS: variety of churches – best seen with a knowledgeable tour guide
- SOL PLAATJE MUSEUM: First Black South African to publish a novel in English and translated many of Shakespeare’s works into Setswana. He sang the first ever recording of Nkosi Sikele ‘iAfrika – founder member of the ANC.
- TOWNSHIP TOUR: extraordinary tour of one of South Africa’s oldest townships – suggest use local tour guide to get the most out of this
- ALEXANDER McGREGOR MUSEUM – CHAPEL ST: Kimberley has many “firsts” and the history of these are housed in this museum
- Veronica Bruce: Well experienced tour guide – with a vast knowledge on this area. Call her on 083 611 6497 or bruceveronica@hotmail.com
