TOURISM GREEN KALAHARI

Upington, located in the Green Kalahari region of South Africa's Northern Cape province, is a fascinating tourist destination. Entering the Green Kalahari, visitors will marvel at the contrast between the unspoilt semi-desert and the lush vineyards that fill the fertile valleys of the Orange River. This immense body of water cuts through this arid, dry landscape, bringing life to the region and an oasis to its inhabitants and animals. The river is particularly impressive at Augrabies Falls National Park, where the deafening fury of an enormous torrent of angry water falls 56 meters down a series of granite cascades. Activities in the area include camel riding, white-water rafting, paragliding on the region's many slopes, and hang-gliding over the rolling red dunes and rugged mountains of Riemvasmaak and Mier Kalahari. There's plenty to see and do here, to suit all tastes. For the less adventurous traveler, there's an abundance of hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, birdwatching, game drives in national parks and private reserves, camping and fly-in safaris. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Africa's first transfrontier park, is also a major attraction in the region. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including gemsbok, springbok, blue wildebeest, lion, leopard and cheetah. Visitors can also discover the remains of former permanent San (Bushmen) settlements on Bitterputs Farm near the town of Kenhardt, as well as many fascinating caves and engravings. With its vast landscapes, extreme climatic conditions and fascinating adaptations to harsh conditions, the Green Kalahari is an amazing region to visit.