John Taolo Gaetsewe offers a variety of highlights for a trip: camelthorn landscapes north of Kathu, the geological formation The Eye, Wonderwerk Cave and rock engravings in the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. The named routes and recreational facilities in Kathu may also play a role in your planning.
Camelthorn Landscape and The Eye
North of Kathu lies the Kathu Forest, a wooded area with exceptionally large camelthorn trees. It was designated a Protected Woodland on 10 July 2009. The Kathu Bush also consists mainly of impressive camelthorn trees. Camelthorn is therefore a recurring landscape feature in the area around Kathu, while the exact name distinguishes one area from another.
The Eye is a different natural highlight: a geological formation that brings water from great depths to the surface. The Eye is the largest natural spring in the Southern Hemisphere. The forest and the spring represent different aspects of the destination—here, distinctive trees; there, a geological phenomenon whose special quality lies in the water that emerges.
Archaeology and Rock Art
Wonderwerk Cave contains the earliest evidence in the world of fire being used inside a dwelling. Wonderwerk is also a National Heritage Site. The area around Kathu is of considerable interest to specialists in archaeology and palaeontology. Visitors interested in these subjects will therefore find both a specific prehistoric discovery and broader archaeological and palaeontological interest in the area.
The San rock engravings offer a distinct focus as well. The Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is South Africa’s largest private game reserve and covers 1,200 square kilometres. Guests at the reserve can visit protected, ancient San rock engraving sites. The combination of the reserve’s size and the engraving sites gives this part of the trip a different focus from Wonderwerk’s archaeological significance.
Routes and Other Activities
The Kalahari Raptor Trail includes Kuruman, Kathu, Olifantshoek, Upington, Keimoes, Kakamas and Augrabies Falls National Park. By contrast, the Forgotten Highway Route connects Tulbagh in the south with Kuruman in the north. The routes therefore differ in their stated orientation: the Kalahari Raptor Trail names several places and a national park, while the Forgotten Highway has two endpoints. This helps you choose the route connections that suit your plans without combining the two into a single route.
Another activity is available at Khai Apple Recreation Resort in the Gamagara Municipality: fishing is offered there. In Kathu, Sishen Mine is considered one of the main visitor attractions. These destinations complement the landscape and archaeology themes with leisure activities and another visitor highlight.
Kathu as a Planning Reference
Kathu’s recreational facilities include a golf course and an Olympic-standard swimming pool. If either is important to your plans, check that it is currently operating in advance. Kathu is also connected to rail services via Dingleton Station and Kimberley. Roads connect the town with Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Windhoek and Cape Town. Kathu’s infrastructure also includes an airport with a paved runway; if you plan to base your arrival on it, check its current operating status. For rail services, it is advisable to check the latest connections.
Compare your accommodation with the places you actually plan to visit before settling on a base.
Discover more destinations: Kathu, Kuruman, Bo-Karoo, Namakwa, Kgalagadi, Benede Oranje, Pixley Ka Seme, Kalahari District Council.
For the broader travel overview: Northern Cape.
