Springbok

Springbok - Pride of the Northern Cape

Springbok is known as the town of Diamonds, Copper and Spring flowers. Springbok is a town of historical importance in the Northern Cape and is sometimes referred to as the Heart of Namaqualand. Springbok is peaceful and a colourful town enfolded in a vast expanse of space and silence.

History of Springbok

In 1684 Nama and Khoisan people arrived at the Castle in the Cape of Good Hope to sell their bangles and bracelets. Simon van der Stel believed they come from the Monomatapa of Africa, and started expeditions to the most western corner of the Northern Cape Province. Today this area is called The Garden of the Gods and is famous for the wondrous display of spring flowers that explode into bloom every August and September.

Copper was discovered on the farm Melkboschkuil in 1850. In 1852 the farm was bought from Long Kowie Cloete by the mining company Phillips and King, which later become known as Cape Copper Company. The mine became the first commercial mine in South Africa, but was worked out by 1888. In 1863 the town Springbokfontein was mapped out by Mr Fletcher. Springbok was build around the copper mining industry.

Climate in Springbok

Springbok counts 300 days of sunshine and only 4 inches rain per year. Temperatures hardly ever exceed 30 centigrades in summer and seldom fall below 6 in winter. We have a hot and healthy climate with no malaria.

Springbok - Gateway to Namibia

Springbok is the Gateway to Namibia, only 120 km south of the Namibian border. Springbok is the ideal overnight stop, as it lies halfway between Cape Town and Windhoek. There are only small settlements further north with few facilities. Springbok offers excellent hotels, guest houses, caravan parks, restaurants, supermarkets, service stations and an airport.

Springbok Today

Springbok lies in a deep low plain between rugged mountains, about 600 km north of Cape Town. It is the commercial and cultural center of Namaqualand, located directly on the N7 which connects the Cape and the Namibian capital Windhoek. Springbok is a prosperous town with 15,000 inhabitants. The main income is generated from tourism, mining activities, commerce and farming.

Shopping in Springbok

Springbok is a lively shopping haven, a big attraction for locals and people from the surrounding small towns as well as for the Namakwalanders from Pofadder, Garies, Kleinzee, Port Nolloth and Alexander Bay, all within less than one and a half hours drive from Springbok. Herero and Ovambo people, indigenous to Namibia, trade their grass baskets and wooden handmade crafts in Springbok. We have a livelyhome industry where housewives, artists and crafts men sell their handmade confectionery and art work - a must to visit. Karlientjie and Jopie are the places not to be missed for gifts.

Often referred to as the ‘Capital of Namaqualand’, Springbok is located in the Klein Koperberge surrounded by high granite domes. The town was originally called Springbokfontein because of the vast herds of springbok which once drank at a fountain in the area. Throughout the region one finds reminders of the early days of the copper boom, including the original prospecting shaft sunk by Cape Governor Simon van der Stel in 1685. Springbok is a tourist friendly town, offering a well developed infrastructure, modern amenities and excellent accommodation

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Cape Town 550 km

HISTORICAL VIEW

All Saints’ Anglican Church

Situated next to the post office, was completed in 1861 which makes it the second oldest church now belongs to the municipality and serves as the Regional Tourism Information Office.

Council Tree

An old milkwood or ngoenie tree, is to be found 20 km south along the N7. In the previous century, Nama leaders used to congregate under the old tree to discuss and resolve matters of tribal importance. According to legend, executions were also carried out there. The tree was much larger then than it is today.

Dutch Reformed Church (Klipkerk)

A National Monument, and prominent landmark in Springbok. It was completed in 1921 at an estimated cost of 18 000 pounds. Dressed stone and slate were used in the construction. The building of the church was initiated by the famous Dr WP Steenkamp. Visits can be arranged through the local minister.

First Dutch Reformed Church

Delared a National Monument in 1983. The building was bought by the Dutch Reformed congregation before 1877. At first this building was only periodically used because Springbok was not the seat of the congregation. After the turn of the century the church was used more frequently until 1921 when it was sold to the Jewish community to be used as a synagogue, and later as a centre for ceremonial cleansing rites. The building now belongs to the municipality.

Horse Mill – Still in good condition

Mineshaft

Dug in 1685 on Simon van der Stel’s instructions, east of Springbok, at Carolusberg

Monument Koppie

Town centre. Wrested from the British by Boer forces, commemorates the Anglo Boer War (1899 – 1902).

Namaqualand Museum - In the old synagogue

Smelting Furnace

To the north of Springbok, a national monument, unused since 1871. This imposing structure is the oldest such furnance in southern Africa.

Synagogue

Which was completed in 1929, is situated in Synagogue Street to the northwest of the Springbok Hotel. In those days there was a considerable Jewish community in Springbok. Their numbers, however, have since dwindled to nil. This building was given to the Municipality of Springbok and is now being used as a museum.

War Graves

Located in a cemetery on the Kleinzee road. Graves of mining pioneers dating back to 1860, as well as war graves dating from the Anglo Boer War

NATURE

Goegap Nature Reserve

The Goegap Nature Reserve is situated 15 km southeast of Springbok and covers approximately 15 000 ha. The reserve was established in 1960 when the Okiep Copper Company donated 4600 ha agricultural land to the Cape Provincial Administration for the development of a wild flower reserve. In 1966 the Hester Malan Wild Flower Garden was opened by the Administrator of the Cape, Dr Nico Malan, in honour of his wife. The reserve was later enlarged when the farm Goegap was bought by the Chief Directorate of Nature and Environmental Conservation and added to the reserve. In 1990 this whole area was proclaimed as the Goegap Nature Reserve. The name ‘Goegap’ is derived from the Nama word for waterhole. The reserve encompasses the typical granite koppies and sandy plains of Namaqualand. This semi desert area has an erratic and uncertain winter rainfall of between 80 mm and 160 mm per annum. Daytime temperatures vary from a minimum of below 10°c to a moderate 25°c with summer temperatures between 30°c and 40°c with a maximum of 48°c

Vegetation

The typical Namaqualand vegetation which occurs in the Goegap Nature Reserve consists mainly of a large component of plants with a short life span. These plants change the veld to a multicoloured carpet of flowers for a few weeks each year. Where a mass of flowers occur in only one or two colours it usually indicates that the veld was disturbed. In the reserve a wide and interesting variety of plant species and colours can be seen. Perennial plants are mostly summer deciduous or evergreen dwarf shrubs of which many have succulent leaves. Five hundred and eighty one plant species have been recorded in the reserve.

Animal Life

The 45 mammal species, 25 reptile species and three amphibian species which are found in the reserve are an important component of the animal life in this arid region. The most important game species in the reserve is the Hartmann’s mountain zebra, the gemsbok, springbok, klipspringer, duiker and steenbok. The 94 bird species which have been recorded, include among others the ostrich, the Cape Eagle Owl, Black Eagle, the Spotted Dikkop and the Pied Barbet. Lists of plant, bird and animal species are available at a nominal fee

Visitors Facilities

Visiting hours are from 08:00 to 16:00. A nominal fee per person is levied at the information centre. At the information centre one can see interesting displays about the four geographical regions in Namaqualand. Video and slide shows are presented at the information centre

The Hester Malan Wild Flower Garden at the information centre consists of a succulent display and an interesting rock garden. Succulents, seeds and other mementos are for sale. There are a number of picnic sites. A lapa and kiosk are available and there are overnight facilities ( a chalet for groups and a cottage). Passenger cars and buses can drive the 17 km circular route through a part of the reserve. Other facilities which are available at an additional fee include the following: a 4 x 4 route which covers the largest part of the reserve, horse trails for riders providing their own horses and a mountain bike route. Guided tours can be arranged during the flower season. Two short nature trails can be followed from the office and information about biking trails can be obtained at the information centre.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Lions Beer Festival – March

Namaqualand Show – October

Christmas Light Festival – December

Blue Mine

Springbok’s first, it includes a walking trail offering views of the town from it’s western outskirts

Namastat

Stay awhile in a traditional, dome shaped reed hut (matjieshuis).

Orbicule Hill

West of Concordia (22 km northeast from Springbok), it contains orbicular diorite, previously only found in Scandinavia.

Richtersveld Challenge

Vehicle Tours, Hiking Tours, Orange River Tours, Kaokoland Tours.

Spinning & Weaving

On display at Komaggas, 50 km along the Kleinzee road.

Springbok Café

Has permanent photographic, mineral and semi precious stone displays which are of considerable interest. The photographic collection captures Namaqualand’s kaleidoscope of striking scenery and intriguing history.

ACTIVITIES

4 x 4 Route

Namakwa 4 x 4 Route

Starting at the picturesque Pella Mission Station, the route stretches all the way to Alexander Bay, the diamond mine town at the mouth of the Orange River. The beauty of the route lies in it’s contrast between rugged mountains, sandy plains, green riverbeds, peace and tranquility. But the really unique feature is the plant life. This route probably features the richest diversity of succulent plants in the world – ranging from the arborscent sculptural Aloe pillansii (Baster Quiver Tree) to the dwarf Anacampseros bayeri which is only between 1mm and 3 mm high. What makes this plant so special is that most species are unique to this area. The people living in the area are also adventurers in their own right. It takes considerable courage and faith to survive in this sometimes inhospitable land. The area is very sparsely populated, mostly by nomadic goatherders, following in large measure the way of life of their Nama forebears living in dome shaped reed huts (nowadays covered in Hessian sacking). This route is in one of South Africa’s most remote and isolated corners and covers a distance of approximately 642 km, never far from the Orange River. No tour operators are provided – it’s just you, your 4 x 4, a map and a compass or GPS – the perfect route to test your outdoor skills. A detailed map and route description will be supplied to visitors on payment for permits.

WHERE TO STAY

Naries Guest Farm

Located in the heart of Namaqualand’s flower region, 27 km from Springbok, Naries offers accommodation in five double rooms with bathrooms. Large living room, music, TV, VCR and video library. Full breakfast and candle lit dinners. No children (under 12 years) in the main house. A self catering farm cottage sleeps five people in comfort – two double rooms and one single, two bathrooms and one single, two bathrooms. Fully equipped with TV, stove, fridge, braai facilities etc. Open all year round, hiking and horse trails through the rugged mountain terrain and along river beds provide the opportunity to observe the variety of flora, rarre succulents and other species such as the Olifantsvoet and Bushman Candles. Within easy driving distance of the Goegap Nature Reserve and Skilpad Flower Reserve.

Accommodation in and around Springbok