Dianna Martin, Experience Northern Cape General Manager: Marketing and Promotions and Northern Cape Tourism Authority, details six Northern Cape routes, specifically packaged to give visitors do-it-yourself options to explore the province.

“The routes can be guided or, as most of our visitors do, used as an easy self-drive option combining two or more routes depending on time available,” she says.

“The routes address seasonality and encourage tourism spread as the smallest community is connected via the route experiences,” she continues. This ensures that those attractions that independently would not have the potential to entice visitors have the opportunity to be included in visitor itineraries. They also assist in creating employment, enhancing community infrastructure and revitalising the dwindling economies in rural areas.”

Routes that are worth including in itineraries are the Kokerboom Food and Wine Route, the Kalahari Red Dune Route, the Richtersveld Route, the Namaqua Coastal Route, the Karoo Highlands Route and the Cape Namibia Route.

Says Martin: “For international travellers, our routes are most accessible and invite longer stays or repeat visits. The scenery, landscapes, activities, wildlife, culture and traditional food are some of the diverse highlights one can look forward to.”