Attractions
We have compiled a list of attractions in Kimberley. Take time to enjoy Kimberley's rich
history and diverse culture during your stay.
The Big Hole
Also called the Open Mine or Kimberley mine, it is an open-pit mine and claimed
to be the largest hole excavated by hand. From 1871 to 1914 up to 50,000 miners
dug the hole with picks and shovels, yielding 2,720kgs (6,000lb) of diamonds.
Once above-ground operations became too dangerous and unproductive, the Kimberlite
pipe of the Kimberley Mine was also mined underground by Cecil John Rhodes' De Beers
company to a depth of more than 1km.
In 2006 De Beers invested R50 million (about USD 7.7 million) in the renovation of the
Big Hole
heritage site. The
museum has been modernized, with an audio-visual theatre and a cantilevered platform above the rim of the Big Hole that allows visitors a
vertical view down into the hole, as its end is across the rim.
William Humphreys Art Gallery
The William Humphreys Art Gallery is considered one of South-Africa's finest art
museums.
The
gallery
concentrates on collecting truly South-African works of art.
Additionally, the Gallery serves Kimberley's community as an educational and cultural
centre.
Visit the gallery's
website
for more information.
McGregor Museum
The
McGregor Museum
was officially founded in 1907, following several calls for
the establishment of a museum in Kimberley. Eventually, Mrs McGregor, widow of
the previous mayor of Kimberley, Alexander McGregor, donated the funds necessary
to establish the museum.
The building that currently houses the museum was originally constructed in 1897
by De Beers as a sanatorium. Since then, the building has been used as a luxury hotel
(Hotel Belgrave) and later as a convent school.
The museum provides research and advice on a wide range of community projects throughout
the Northern Cape. For more information, visit the museum's
website
.
Flamingo Casino
As a celebration of the turn-of-the-century style and romance of this Victorian
age, the design of the
Flamingo Casino
is based on the contemporary architecture
of the gracious buildings in modern Kimberley that survived the rash days of the
diamond rush.
The casino provides a fun, exciting and memorable gaming experience to its customers.
It sports an elegant restaurant, providing a lavish dining experience for the whole
family, a conference centre, bars and a small retail component.
The Belgravia Historical Walk
Experience the lifestyle, history, architecture, entertainment and culture of the
historical diamond rush era in Kimberley. The
guided
walk is about 2km long and includes
all the key historic sites in the area.
During the walk you will visit more than 30 places of interest, including the McGregor
Museum, The Halfway House, Sister Henrietta Stockdale's Nursing College, the war
memorial, Masonic temple, the Rudd house, Dunluce and Alex Hall Memorial Gardens.
Visit
Northern Cape Tourism
for more information.
Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre
The rock
art centre
is situated just outside of Kimberley. It sports a visitors'
centre where a 25-minute film is shown to introduce you to the site.
The community-based
guides are trained to show you the site or you may choose to go on an audio tour of
the site (you will receive a small portable audio player), and you will enjoy equally
fascinating commentary at each of the 10 marked "stations".
Dunluce Home
An elegant home built in 1897 and declared a national monument in 1990. The house
was designed by the well-known architect D.W. Greatbatch.
A short way off was the Sanatorium (now McGregor museum), used
by Rhodes as his headquarters during the siege of Kimberley (1900). A 100 lb shell from Long Tom, aimed
by the Boers at the Sanatorium, fell short, and instead landed through the roof
of the house, damaging a bedroom and breakfast room below. This event was recorded
in the Souvenir of the Siege of Kimberley, published by the Diamond Fields
Advertiser.
Magersfontein Battlefield (1899)
Kimberley is a town that is filled with history, and the
Magersfontein Battlefield situated nearby is looked upon with both pride and heartache.
The Magersfontein Battle was a short and furious battle, and although
many lives were lost, this battle has an interesting story attached to it. A story
of bravery, respect, empathy and compassion.
The battlefield of Magersfontein, scene of a British defeat during "Black Week"
in the Boer War, lies 30 kilometres (19 miles) south of Kimberley. There is an observation point
from which there are good views of the battlefield and the trenches. There is a
small museum with a collection of weapons and uniforms.
Kamfersdam Flamingos
The Kamfersdam dam, situated just outside of Kimberley, is a breeding site for Lesser
Flamingos. The dam and surrounding 380ha wetland area are designated as a conservation
zone.
The dam typically supports 20,000 Lesser Flamingos, but occasionally over 50,000
Lesser Flamingos are present, a large proportion of the sub region's total population.
The birds are mobile and commute between the major feeding sites in southern Africa.
More information at
Save The Flamingo
and
SA Birding.co.za