Northern Cape

Northern Cape

The Northern Cape includes spectacular attractions like the Namaqualand flowers, the Richtersveld Heritage site, Witsand, the Kuruman Eye, Boesmansgat and Wonderwerk Cave. more
Die Kleipot restaurant, Colesberg, Northern Cape

Die Kleipot restaurant in Colesberg in the Northern Cape makes the kind of hearty, home-cooked, country cuisine that city dwellers can't resist. more
Hotazel, Northern Cape

Travellers make eccentric pilgrimages to a small village deep in the Kalahari semi-desert, just to be able to say they’ve been to Hotazel. more
Maloof Skate Plaza, Kimberley

Test your skills at the world-class Maloof Skate Plaza in Kimberley, which has hosted skateboard pros from around the world in the Maloof Money Cup. more

More about Northern Cape

Kimberley to Upington – the 'missionary route'

The route west from Kimberley to Upington takes in lots of small towns with big histories, including some rather eccentric stops. more

The outlaw, Scotty Smith

A true Kalahari character, the Victorian-era legend of the vagabond Scotty Smith is still told throughout the semi-desert rural areas of the Northern Cape. more

Leliefontein to Kleinzee – the 'shipwreck and daisies route'

Pack the picnic bag, haul out the roadmap and GPS, and hit the back roads of Namaqualand for a taste of local flavours and photogenic landscapes. more

1Piri-Piri

Early Portuguese settlers introduced the sacana chilli to South Africa and it is now central to South African flavour repertoires. Whether it's spelled peri-peri or piri-piri we love this hot little number in sauces and spices.

2Biltong

Biltong is Afrikaans term, derived from the Dutch words bil 'buttock' + tong 'tongue'. Lean strips of beef or venison are cured in coriander and vinegar before being allowed to air dry. Biltong is an essential snack when watching sport, hiking, going on a road trip and it works a treat on teething babies.

3Sosatie

The term sosatie probably derives from the Malay kebabs called satay. Cubes of meat, usually lamb or mutton, are marinated in a picante mixture of vinegar, turmeric and curry powder before being interlaced with onion and dried apricot on a skewer and grilled. Delicious!

4Braaivleis or Chisa nyama

Whether you prefer the Afrikaans term, braai (barbeque) or the Zulu phrase, Chisa nyama, cooking our food outdoors over an open wood/coal/ or gas fire is as South African as food gets! Chisa nyama is also used to mean township butchery/ steak house venues.

5Boerewors

Boerewors, or farmer's sausage is a classic South African food stuff. Classically, it's made from a mixture of beef and pork, and seasoned with coriander, but don't be surprised to see flavour variations that include cloves, chilli, cheese, chutney and chakalaka!

6Koeksisters and koesisters

Koeksister with a 'k' refers to the Afrikaans term for a plaited yeast doughnut that is deep fried then dipped in ginger-flavoured syrup. Cape Malay koesisters are oval yeast beignets that are also deep fried, dipped in syrup and rolled in dessicated coconut.

7Bunny chow

Street food first developed by South Africans of Indian origin whereby curry is placed inside a hollowed out loaf of bread. There are township variations such as spatlho and the kwata or kota.

8Chakalaka

A spicy cooked vegetable relish of Zulu origin with Indian fusion influences. The base consists of a cooked relish made from tomatoes, onions, carrots, and chillies. Thereafter cooks choose to add peppers, cauliflower, cabbage or baked beans. Tinned forms can be oily so go for a homemade version.

9Pap or maize meal

Pap is a thick porridge made from maize meal, that's eaten as a staple food throughout South Africa. A favorite starch to enjoy with a meat stew, it can be dressed up or down to go with just about any meal.

10Rooibos

Not technically a food but rather an essential break-time beverage. This indigenous shrub is commonly brewed as a tea but is also used as a seasoning, a flavourant and it's revered for its soothing medicinal properties.