Kuruman

Accommodation | Activities | Restaurants | Business Directory

Geography and History

Kuruman is situated on the Ghaap Plateau 1 131m above sea level in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Kuruman is the principal town on the Kalahari section of the Namakwari Route. The origin of the town’s name is uncertain but it is generally accepted as being a variation of the name of an 18th-century San leader, Kudumane.Kuruman is popularly refered to as the ‘Oasis of the Kalahari’. Kuruman is blessed with a permanent and abundant source of water. More densely vegetated than most oases, its water flows from Gasegonyana, commonly called The Eye or "die oog". This spring delivers 20 million litres of water daily to 71 000 inhabitants,flowing from solution cavities in the dolomitic Ghaap Plateau and cracks in the mammoth doleritic dykes and sills that thrust their way into prominence from the earth’s core some 190 million years ago.

Activities

Bird Sanctuary and Nature Reserve - Hotazel Rd. The bird sanctuary has a wetland area with plenty of grass, reeds and trees. There are about 115 different species of birds mainly from the duck, ibis and heron families.

The Eye "Die Oog" - Main Str. It is the largest natural fountain in the Southern Hemisphere. Stocked with goldfish, carp, barbel and blue kurper, The Eye has full café, curio and ablution facilities. Tel 053 712 1095.

Hunting - Kuruman is home to the Kalahari Hunters’ Association, tel 053 712 2711. The abundant game bred and culled in the area is fast turning it into a hunter’s Mecca.

Kuruman Country Club - Offers golf (9 holes), squash course, bowls, tennis, snooker. Tel 053 712 1242.

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve - Tswalu, meaning ‘new beginning’ in the Tswana language, is the largest privately owned game reserve in South Africa. The historic home of the San and malaria-free, the reserve has over 70 species of mammals and more than 200 bird species. Activities include horse-riding through the reserve and game-drives and bush walks.

Wonderwerk Cave and Rock Paintings - 43km south down Daniëlskuil road on the farm Wonderwerk. Archaeological excavations of the 140m long cave suggest datings of more than a million years old. Spanning the stone age, finds include Acheulean handaxes and cleavers, evidence of controlled use of fire, grass bedding, animal remains including extinct species, engraved stones, and a wide range of Later Stone Age artefacts.