The Northern Cape has numerous wonderful places for travelers to visit. It is a sanctuary for lovers of the outdoors, with its limitless wildlife, exclusive flora and striking scenery. It is a land of various ways of life, and has memoirs, stretching back thousands of years. Be sure to visit some of the following places on our Top 10 list.
1. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
This mysterious desert wilderness situated on the edge of the Kalahari covers some 102 000 ha of land. Tswalu committed to "restoring the Kalahari to itself" is the largest privately owned game reserve in South African and a conservation vision in progress. Some of the highlights include true Kalahari Lions, majestic Cheetah and Desert Black Rhino. Tswalu with more than 250 species of bird is also home to 70 species of mammal, including Sable and Roan Antelope. Tswalu is a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux and offers guests luxurious accommodation, splendid cuisine, and unparalleled safari experiences including guided walks, horseback safaris and hot air ballooning over the desert landscape.
2. The Orange River
The River stretching 2340 km is ideal for canoeing and rafting with long stretches of open flat water punctuated by rapids and weather that is warm all year round. 10% of South Africa's vineyards are made up by the Orange River Wine Route, which will be of interest for wine lovers. The Cellars are made up of five wineries and the wine grapes of the Oranjerivier Wine Cellars originate from 794 producers along the Orange River.
3. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
This Park is a result of the unification of South Africa's Kalahari Gemsbok Park and Botswana's Gemsbok National Park and a truly unspoiled ecosystem. The park, at 3.7 million hectares, is one of the largest conservation areas in the world.
4. The Kimberley Big Hole
In 1871, diamonds found on a once flat-topped hill resulted in a mad scramble for fame and fortune. The largest hand-dug excavation in the world is now known as the awesome Kimberley Big Hole. Dug by picks, shovels and sheer determination, measuring 215 metres deep with a surface area of 17 hectares - the mine yielded 2 722 kilograms of diamonds.
5. Augrabies Falls National Park
The world's sixth largest waterfall is where the mighty Orange River is at its most impressive. Thundering its way through a ravine and into a pool walled by sheer granite, creating the Augrabies Falls. The name of the falls originated from the Khoi word meaning 'place of great noise' which describes the roar as the falls plummet 56m into the ravine.
6. Sutherland
Sutherland is known for its brilliant night skies and the world-renowned Southern African Astronomical Observatory, a site that houses 10 telescopes, one being 'SALT' (Southern African Largest Telescope). It can record distant stars and galaxies a billion times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye.
7. Kuruman
This little town is blessed with a permanent and abundant source of water. More densely vegetated than most oases, its water flows from Gasegonyana, commonly known as the Kuruman Eye. The Eye is a natural fountain delivering approximately 20-30 million litres of crystal clear water daily, which supplies water for the town, feeds the Kuruman River and spills yet more water into two 7km irrigation canal. It was this fresh source of water that led to the establishment of the Moffat Mission Station here in the early 1900th, naming the eye the 'fountain of Christianity'.
8. Richterveld National Park
The Richtersveld is hauntingly beautiful, with mountains and sandy plains forming Southern Africa's largest mountain desert park, an area covering 160 000 ha. Although harsh and dry, the Richtersveld is a botanist's living laboratory, home to around 30% of all South Africa's succulent plant species. The Richtersveld is an extremely fragile ecosystem, with less than 50 mm of annual rainfall. Suprisingly breathtaking, it offers rarely seen purity of an unspoilt country.
9. Kathu, "the town under the trees"
The name came into being because of Kumba's iron ore mining activities, one of the world's largest open-cast iron mines. The mine is also home to one of South Africa's greatest golfing gems, Sishen Golf Course, a truly unique setting to play a round of golf winding its way through a 500 hectare Camelthorn forest on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. This par 72, 18-hole course is the last masterpiece of Robert Grimsdell and is currently rated in the top 30 best golf courses in South Africa. Being situated off the beaten track, the course is blissfully un-congested and visitors are always assured of getting a game here.
10. The Namaqua National Park
Between July and September Namakwa sheds its drab facade and showers the world with a riot of flowers of every hue, offering rich and splendid brilliance. It contains more than 6 000 plant species, 250 species of birds, 78 species of mammals, 132 species of reptiles and amphibians and an unknown number of insects, making it the world's most diverse, arid environment. 40% or more of these species are found nowhere else on Earth.
10 Best Places To Visit
The kings of France, seduced by the temperate climate and the game-filled forests built their sumptuous homes here in the Loire Valley. They surrounded themselves with the greatest artists and architects of this era. This is the country of a thousand castles. The valley is full of not only royal castles and renaissance palaces, national museum and large magnificent chateaux, but also medieval castles and fortresses, small fairy tale manors, private chateaux, medieval cities, churches, abbeys, and cathedrals. Many chateaux and stately homes are open to the public: some are state owned, such as Chambord and Blois; others are private, and still lived in. A large proportion of them run son-et-lumiere shows during the tourist season. Chateau de Chenonceau and Chateau de Chambord are definitely worth a visit and are close to Blois.
1.Chateau de Chenonceau
Le Chateau des Dames built on a bridge across the river Cher is one of the more romantic chateaux of the Loire with elegant turrets, arches and stately avenues bordered by plane trees. It's romantic feel is further heightened by the fact that its stylised and symmetrical structure is reflected in the waters of the Cher.
Chenonceau owes much of its design and beauty to four women in particular. It was Catherine de Briconnet who first started the trend and was largely responsible for its early Renaissance style. Catherine then passed the baton to Diane de Poiters (mistress of Henri II) who was responsible for the formal gardens to the left of the chateau as you approach it. Unfortunately Diane de Poitiers was forced to relinquish ownership of Chenonceau to Catherine de Medici (the embittered wife of Henri II) who offered Chateau de Chaumont in exchange. Not entirely a fair swap! Later the castle was inherited by Louise de Lorraine, the bereaved wife of Henri III Catherine's favourite son. Louise painted her bedroom ceiling black and white out of respect for her late husband.
Madame Dupin also had a pivotal role in the development of Chenonceau in the 18th century and was responsible for encouraging literary events to be held here. The likes of Rousseau, Voltaire and Montesquieu all spending time here. Today Chenonceau is a profitable business owned by the Menier family who are known as respected chocolatiers.
Chateau de Chenonceaux: Chateau de Chenonceau, 30 minutes from Blois, Chenonceau, 37150 Tel: +33 (0)2 47 23 90 07 Open: Closed 25th Dec & 1st Jan, 1st May
2. Chateau de Chambord
Chambord is truly royal in its great scale, its grand air, its indifference to common consideration (Henry James). It combined the dream of King Francois I with the imagination of Leonardo de Vinci. The result is a real mathematisation of architecture, a grandiose creation : 440 rooms with 365 fireplaces, a fabulous double staircase, and a unique roof terrace
Chateau de Chambord: 15 minutes south east of Blois, Domaine national de Chambord, Chambord, Tel: +33 (0)2 54 5040 00 Open: Closed on 25th Dec, 1st Jan and 1st May
3. Chateau Blois
Chateau Blois is almost like four separate chateaux rolled into one - so diverse are the architectural styles at play here. The Medieval heart is centred around the Salle des Etats Generaux which is where the court and council were based. Flamboyant Gothic flair is evident in the Louis XII wing whereas Renaissance architecture is the dominant style in the Francois 1 wing. It is in the Francois 1 wing that you'll find Catherine de Medici's private rooms complete with array of poisons. This was also the spot where the Duc de Guise was brutally murdered in 1588 after he was thought to be planning a Catholic uprising against Henri III. Apparently, it was Henri who carried out the deed himself only to be murdered himself a year later by a monk. Lastly, the Gaston d'Orleans wing will satisfy any cravings for Classical architecture. Evenings are a particularly good time to visit Blois especially if you book to see the 'son et lumiere' shows that recount the chateau's turbulent past.
Chateau de Blois: Place du Chateau, Blois, 41000 Tel: +33 (0)2 54 90 33 33 Open: Closed on 25th Dec and 1st Jan
5. Chateau de Cheverney
Chateau de Cheverny is undoubtedly the most lavishly furnished of all the Loire Chateaux. Built between 1604 and 1634 little has changed. Its present owner is a direct descendant of the original owner and his 70 hounds or so are still used for regular stag hunting. Some of the chateau's masterpieces include paintings by old masters, tapestries from Paris and Holland plus Louis XIV's commode and unforgettable grandfather clock. The 1640s interior decoration, consisting of panelling, painted ceilings, and fireplaces, and paintings by Jean Monnier, is among the finest of its kind.
There are two interesting facts pertaining to Cheverny. Firstly, die hard Tintin fans will note that Herge based the mythical Moulinsart on Cheverny. If this appeals, check out the Tintin exhibition situated directly opposite the chateau. Secondly, the 18th century Orangerie served as a hiding place for the Mona Lisa during WWII. From here, you'll be able to take in the majesty of the park and its canals which are open to the public from April to November
Chateau de Cheverny: 16 kilometres south-east of Blois, Cheverny, 41700 Tel: +33 (0)2 54 79 96 29 Open: Open daily
6. Chateau de Beauregard
Chateau de Beauregard was largely built at the same time as Chateau de Cheverny as a hunting lodge for Francois I. It is famous for its Galerie des Portraits which comprises over 327 portraits of Kings and their lovers plus famous dignitaries from 14th to 17th centuries. Take note of the unique flooring that is covered in 17th century porcelain tiles.
Chateau de Beauregard: 6 kilometres south of Blois, Cellettes, 41120 Tel: +33 (0)2 54 70 36 74 Open: Closed Wed in winter months and entirely for the month of January
7. Chateau Azay le Rideau
The Azay le Rideau Castle, one of the purest creation of the Renaissance, was built on an island of the Indre River, an ideal setting for an architectural jewel. The son-et-lumiere events held in the park during the summer tell some of the history of the Chateau and are not to be missed if you are there at the right time.
8. Chateau de Villandry
Villandry was one of the last of the very big chateaux built around 1536 in the Loire valley during the renaissance. It houses some interesting and very valuable antiques and furnishings but it is probably best known for its Italian Renaissance garden created by Dr Carvallo. As well as being very ornate and decorative, the gardens produce fruit, vegetables and herbs which are sold locally to raise funds for the maintenance of the chateau.
9. Chateau du Clos Luce
Chateau du Clos Luce is where Leonard de Vinci spent the last years of his life. You can visit his study, salons, kitchen and bedrooms, the chapel and see frescoes painted by his pupils. His drawings and paintings are set out in the park of the chateau with giant models of the most spectacular machines he invented with voice-overs of Leonardo da Vinci and his disciple Melzi.
Le Chateau du Clos Luce: 30 minutes from us, at demeure de Leonard de Vinci,Amboise 37400 Tel: +33(0)2 47 57 00 73 Open: daily except 25 December to 1st January
10. Chateau du Chaumont
Chateau du Chaumont is located on the southern bank of the Loire River about 20 minutes west of Blois. It was the first chateau at Chaumont-sur-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, France. Originating in the 11th century, it was built by Eudes II, Count of Blois.
In 1560, the castle became the property of Catherine de' Medici who entertained numerous astrologers there, including Nostradamus. On the death of her husband, King Henry II, Catherine used her power to take over the much coveted Chateau de Chenonceau from her husband's mistress, Diane de Poitiers. As certain legalities had to be met, Diane was forced to accept the Chateau de Chaumont as payment for her beloved Chenonceau. Diane de Poitiers lived at Chaumont for only a short time when the castle was sold.
The chateau holds an international garden festival covering a different theme each year from April to October.
The Loire Valley is a splendid region awarded world heritage listing because of its magnificent chateaux.
Both Sandra Olivier & Corina Clemence are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Sandra Olivier has sinced written about articles on various topics from Places to Visit in, Culture and Society and Family Travel. Stylish yet rustic elegance typical of luxury game reserve accommodation is what you will be able to experience at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. Indeed, no creatu. Sandra Olivier's top article generates over 3600 views. Bookmark Sandra Olivier to your Favourites.
Corina Clemence has sinced written about articles on various topics from Places to Visit in, Loire Valley and Dating and Romance. Corina Clemence operates Chateau du Guerinet, near Blois as a luxury boutique chateau hotel for up to 15 people. Our guests get to truly experience the grandeur of living in a french chateau.. Corina Clemence's top article generates over 60500 views. Bookmark Corina Clemence to your Favourites.
3 D Desktop Wallpaper Its all easy to locate. Its just walk eastward until you see a very large expanse of blue-green water topped off by an azure sky. Alternatively, you could take the subway to Drassanes Station