The Best 15 Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Kimberley, South Africa

October 9, 2024 Mustafa Natalwala 467 Views

Kimberley is a city in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. It is a historically significant city known for its mining industry and battles of the Anglo-Boer War. There are numerous interesting places to visit in Kimberley, South Africa.

The most popular museum in the city is the Mining Museum. The city was the epicenter of the Diamond Rush and had one of the largest mines in the world. Even the hole left behind by the industry is one of the biggest Kimberley tourist attractions. Much of the city’s history is connected to this mine. You will see that many of the cultural Kimberley attractions are connected to it.

The other aspect of the region’s history revolves around battles and wars. The historic battlesites have now become places of interest in Kimberley, South Africa. You will get to see remnants of the battle and several artefacts gathered from the aftermath.

Alongside history, you also get to explore wonders of the regional culture during Kimberley sightseeing. The city is home to vintage trams and sunset cruises. Both of these are memorable experiences to take back when you visit Kimberley. The city is also home to vineyards and a historic pub. The pub especially is an integral part of the city’s history. It is one of the most popular places to see in Kimberley. It is almost like a museum and you get to interact with locals at this place to immerse yourself in both history and culture in one place.

People can also enjoy fun things to do in Kimberley, South Africa. The city is surrounded by a rich landscape of forests, wetlands, hills, and savannah. These create opportunities for several outdoor activities to do in Kimberley including offroading, river rafting, and hiking.

The majestic landscapes are also home to some of the most beautiful things to see in Kimberley. You will see amazing waterfalls and wetlands. You can also explore the landscapes with a wildlife safari to spot some animals in their natural environment.

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Table of Contents

Top 15 Tourist Places to Visit in Kimberley, South Africa

1. Kimberley Mine Museum

This mining site is one of the biggest excavations done by hand. It spread of 17 hectares and goes 215 meters deep. This forms what is popularly called the Big Hole. This is one of the biggest places of interest in Kimberley, South Africa. While it is now filled with water, it used to be a thriving mine during the Diamond Rush era of the region. This museum is dedicated to the massive mining operation of the Kimberley Mine.

The site itself is one of the best things to see in Kimberley. It is even more impressive when you know that this place produced more than 2,700+ kg of diamonds. You can tour the open-air museum and see how the mine was built and how the diamonds were excavated. It takes about 2 hours to tour this museum when you visit Kimberley, South Africa.

2. William Humphrey Art Gallery

This gallery has one of the finest classic art collections in the country. The collection includes works by Dutch, French, British, and Flemish artists from the 16th and 17th centuries. The collection also displays antique furniture and fine art decor.

It is also one of the best places to visit in Kimberley, North Cape to learn about South African art and culture. It has a museum dedicated to South African artists and also hosts events and exhibitions for regional art. You will need an hour or so to explore the gallery and museum.

3. Vintage Tram Ride

These trams were put into use in the 19th century during the heyday of the Diamond Rush. It is one of the most fun things to do in Kimberley, South Africa. The tram retains much of its original decor and you can enjoy a good vibe tour of the city riding it. You will need about 20 to 30 minutes for this ride.

4. Freddie Tait Golf Museum

This was the first golfing museum in all of Africa. It pays homage to the sport and the legend Freddie Tait, who lost his life in the Anglo-Boer War. It is one of the most interesting Kimberley attractions. The museum traces the history of the sport, the evolution of the equipment, and the impact of some incredible players.

You will also get a peak into the life of Freddie Tait, his career, personal life, achievements, and more. The museum exhibits memorabilia, photographs, personal gear, news articles, and more. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

5. Duggan-Cronin Gallery

This museum is dedicated to the best pieces of photography from South Africa. The majority of the pictures come from the mining history and some of them really hit hard.

These photographs also give you a visual of the story of the city. It is one of the most interesting places to see in Kimberley. The museum is named after an Irish miner who was the first to bring a camera to the mines. Many of the pictures were taken by him. You will need an hour to tour this gallery.

6. Rudd House

This house was built in 1880 and is considered one of the most haunted houses in the city. If you are looking for an offbeat tourist attraction in Kimberley, North Cape. You will get to know about the paranormal history of the house and the stories behind it. Aside from its history, the house is also popular for its 19th-century aesthetics and decor. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore it.

7. Sol Plaatje Museum

This museum is housed in the former residence of Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje, the former general secretary of South Africa. He is a celebrated figure in the country’s history. He spoke several languages and was the first black South African to write a book in English. This was during a time when the black people of Africa did not have a right to education.

This museum is dedicated to his life and achievements. It also shows the impact he had on the society. It is one of the Kimberley attractions that give you a dive into the cruel aspects of the city’s history as well. You will need about an hour from Kimberley travel to tour this museum.

8. Mokala National Park

If you are looking for fun outdoor activities to do in Kimberley, you should go for a wildlife safari in this national park. The park is especially known for being home to several endangered species.

You are likely to spot Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino, Roan Entelope, Giraffes, and more. Aside from safari, you can also enjoy hikes through the savannah. It is one of the best things to do in Kimberley, North Cape for adventure seekers and explorers. You will need at least 2 to 3 hours to enjoy this place.

9. Mcgregor Museum

This museum traces the history of humanity over a span of 3 million years. It tells the fascinating story of going from cave to civilization. It is also a great Kimberley tourist attraction to learn about regional history. The museum also focuses on political and ideological aspects of regional history.

The museum tells you the story of the Journey of Democracy in the region as well as the various wars fought in the region. This includes the Seige of Kimberley, Battles of Kimberley Regiment, and Battles of WWI. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum when you visit Kimberley.

10. Germar Biltong Mekka, Padstal & Petting Zoo

This petting zoo and farm is one of the most fun things to do in Kimberley for families. The place has a lot of activities that revolve around farm life and the production of Biltong. The biggest highlight of the farm is the petting zoo. You can enjoy close encounters with goats, rabbits, Ilamas, donkeys, peacocks, ostriches, macaque, and several other animals. You can easily take 2 hours from Kimberley travel to explore this farm.

11. Hartswater Wine Cellar

This cellar started producing wine in 1977 by harvesting grapes from the region. You can explore the cellar and see the expansive wine storage and collection. You can enjoy some incredible and rare vintages in this cellar.

It is one of the best places to visit in Kimberley, North Cape for some leisure time. The vineyards are also quite pleasant to explore. You can enjoy a nice wine-tasting session and delight in the views around. Take a couple of hours to enjoy a nice time at this place.

12. Magersfontein Battlefield Museum

This was the site of the Magersfontein Battle on 11 December 1899 during the Second South African War. The battle was between the British and the Boers. It was an important battle as the Boers emerged victorious after defeating Scotland’s Highland Brigade.

This museum tells the story of the battle and the impact it had on the history of the country. It is one of the top places of interest in Kimberley, South Africa. You get to explore the battle site and see the artifacts from both sides. It takes about an hour or so to explore this museum.

13. Offroading

The city is surrounded by some amazing terrains and this creates ample tracks for offroading. It is one of the top outdoor activities to do in Kimberley, South Africa. You can go offroading on quad bikes, SUVs, and dirt bikes. You can hire a vehicle and go exploring by yourself or head to an adventure park to explore some well-crafted adventure trails. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying this activity.

14. Star of the West Pub

This pub was established in 1870 and has since been one of the most popular watering holes in the region. It is the second oldest pub in the country too. The pub gives you an immersive historical experience with its vibe and decor.

It is one of the most historic tourist attractions in Kimberley for the story of its decor too. The wood used in the pub was taken from shipwrecks and some of it was donated by sailors themselves who survived them. You should take some time from Kimberley sightseeing to enjoy a local experience.

15. Kamfers Dam

These wetlands are spread over 400 hectares and are absolutely gorgeous to explore. They are close to the dam with an abundance of wildlife and birdlife. People especially come here to see the flamingoes.

You can take a car ride to the dam and explore parts of it as a safari. There are also a few hiking trails in the wetlands that you can follow to get closer to the birds. You will need a couple of hours to enjoy this place.

If you are looking for more places to visit in Kimberley, check out the sections below. We have compiled a complete list of attractions and activities that you can enjoy in the city and around it.

Things to do in Kimberley, South Africa

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Kimberley, South Africa

Kimberley Mine Museum
The Big Hole
William Humphreys Art Gallery
Duggan Cronin Gallery
Honoured Dead Memorial
Mcgregor Museum
Sol Plaatje Museum
Freddie Tait Golf Museum
Magersfontein Battlefield Museum
Transnet Transport Museum
Alexander Mcgregor Memorial Museum
Pioneers of Aviation Museum
Kimberley Heritage Museum
Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Kimberley, South Africa

Mokala National Park
Kamfers Dam
Marysville Falls & Eco Park
Benfontein Nature Reserve
Felidae Centre
Rooipoort Nature Reserve

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Kimberley, South Africa

Star of the West Pub
The Rudd House
Germar Biltong Mekka
Hartswater Wine Cellar
Cominco Gardens
Hartswater Wine Cellar
Motheo Adventure Farm

Shopping in Kimberley, South Africa

Kimberley Town & Country Market
Diamond Pavillion Shopping Mall

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Kimberley, South Africa

Hiking
Wildlife Safari
Offroading
Sunset Cruise
Waterskiing
Wakeboarding
Knee Boarding
Water Tube
White Water Rafting
Horseback Safari

Sightseeing in Kimberley, South Africa

Belgravia Historic Walk
Kimberley Town Hall
Kimberley Vintage Tram Ride

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Kimberley, South Africa

Star of the West
The Fat Greek
Die Point
Occidental Bar
Annabell
Panarottis
The Halfway House
The Heights
Skybar
Cheers Pub & Grill
Springbok Pub
Ocean Basket
The Hussar Grill
Modern Pantry
Aarti’s
Copper Orynx
RocoMamas
Steers
John Dory’s
Nando’s
Lyve Cafe
Spur Mohawk

Where to Stay in Kimberley?

Here we have listed Top Rated Hotels in Kimberley. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Kimberley.

How to Reach Kimberley, South Africa?

By Air

The Kimberley Airport receives direct flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg. The airport has facilities for cabs and buses to get to the city.

By Road

You can get direct trains to reach Kimberley from several towns and cities in South Africa. This includes Cape Town, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Durban, Mafikeng, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth, East London, and Grahamstown. You can also get buses to travel to Kimberley from several cities and towns in North Cape region.

If you are planning to visit Kimberley by road, you should head for routes N12 or N8. These roads will take you to the city.

By Water

There are no direct water routes to reach Kimberley.

Image Reference

Kimberley Mine Museum – Lubor Ferenc / Wikimedia Commons
William Humphreys Art Gallery –
Vintage Tram Ride – Hansm / Wikimedia Commons
Freddie Tait Golf Museum –
Duggan-Cronin Gallery – Andrew Hall / Wikimedia Commons
Rudd House –
Sol Plaatje Museum – TwinMosia / Wikimedia Commons
Mokala National Park – Tim Ellis / Flickr
Mcgregor Museum – flowcomm / Flickr
Germar Biltong Mekka, Padstal & Petting Zoo –
Hartswater Wine Cellar –
Magersfontein Battlefield Museum – Bernard DUPONT / Flickr
Offroading – Kristina Ma / PixaBay
Star of the West Pub – Tyrone Adams / Flickr
Kamfers Dam – Mark D. Anderson / Wikimedia Commons