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Kimberely is the capital of the Northern Cape Province of South Africa and is well known for the role it played in the 19th century diamond rush. This town was established in 1871, following the discovery of diamonds on a farm nearby, owned by the De Beers brothers. This town is affectionately named the Diamond City and the Big Hole is its main attraction. The site is located in the western region of the city and can be reached via tram, or by foot. The Big Hole is a massive diamond mine that was dug out by hand. Today it descends 702 feet deep and can be viewed inside the Kimberely Mine Museum. You’ll also see a smoke shop, a mineshaft and vault of real diamonds here. Old architectural structures surrounding the Big Hole bring the spirit of this period to life. The Belgravia Historic Walk is another must do while in town. This historic suburb is made up of 33 prominent sites, all reflecting the opulent lifestyles the diamond mining brought. Points of interest, in the suburb, include The McGregar Museum, the Halfway House Inn and the Drill Hall. You can learn all about the battles between the Boers, the English settlers, and the people indigenous to the lands, on the Magersfield Battlefield Tour. The tour includes audio visual accounts of the war and an exciting walk up the hills to the trenches.
The best time to visit Kimberley is during the spring months of August and September and fall months of March and April. The weather is pleasantly cool around this time and you’ll find lots to do. Kimberely has many exciting events and festivals occurring throughout the year, such as the Kimberely Diamond Cup in September. This is a skateboarding championship, made up of a variety of skating events. The Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon lasts for 11 days, between the months of October and November, while AfrikaBurn at Tankwa-Karoo National Park commences in April and lasts for 7 days. This event gives participants a chance to interact within an outdoor camping environment.
The off-peak season falls between April to May and September to October. You should be able to find cheaper flight tickets around this time. The town is less crowded, with fewer tourists visiting and hotel rates are much more affordable.
The most popular way to get around the city is by the heritage tram line system. You can also catch a taxi or rent a car if you do not want to rely on the public transport.