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About the Diamond Route
The Diamond Route links eight sites across northern South Africa in
a tourism route. It stretches from Namaqualand on the west coast, to
Kimberley (Benfontein, Rooipoort and Dronfield), then north to Tswalu
in the Kalahari, through Brenthurst Gardens in Johannesburg eastwards
to Ezemvelo Nature Reserve and northwards to the Venetia Limpopo reserve
in far Limpopo.
The route is geared for both ecotourism and general tourism, incorporating
new and largely undiscovered natural wonders, as well as historical
and cultural elements, including diamond-mining. The route caters mainly
for independent travellers or small groups. It offers a broad array
of activities with expert trained guides, but also allows self-guided
tourism at some destinations. Begun as a birding route, the route has
a strong element of birding.
There is a range of accommodation from self-catered camping at Benfontein
and Ezemvelo to the five-star luxury of Tswalu. Travel to destinations
is usually by road although some sites provide air access.
Each destination handles its own marketing and contacts for booking
are listed in the website www.diamondroute.co.za.
Highlights of each destination are as follows:
Brenthurst Gardens
Day visit to one of the world’s famous gardens in the heart of
Johannesburg
Ezemvelo Nature reserve
Excellent array of game mammals close to Johannesburg in scenic surrounding,
San rock art, hiking, excellent birding, a range of accommodation.
Kimberley node
Benfontein. Camping on historical sites, home of the black wildebeest,
fabulous night-drives for rare mammals, birding. Note that all the Kimberley
sites are situated near the Big Hole diamond-mining museum and world-famous
Kamfers’ Dam flamingo breeding colony.
Kimberley node
Dronfield. Cottages in Kalahari thornveld, vulture hide, and rare mammal
programmes, Anglo-Boer war site.
Kimberley node
Rooipoort. Historical shooting lodge, safari camp, huge area, picturesque
Vaal river frontage, petroglyphs.
Namaqualand
4x4 and hiking trails, coastal trails, flowers and rich in succulent
plants, massive mainland Cape Fur seal colony, diamond-mining and vast
spaces.
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
A magical wilderness experience of the Kalahari in five-star luxury,
include desert black rhino, Kalahari lions, springbok and rolling red
dunes.
Venetia Limpopo Reserve
Best chance for free-ranging wild dogs in South Africa, elephant, lion,
close to Mapungubwe heritage site.
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