Alexander bay

Alexander Bay in the Northern Cape is synonymous with diamon

Alexander Bay is synonymous with diamonds which were discovered along this coast in 1926. The famous geologist Hans Merensky picked up 487 diamonds under one stone alone and realised there were plenty more to come. It was at his request that the government intervened to prevent the diamond market from collapsing due to overproduction. Prospecting was prohibited and although diggers threatened to occupy the area by force, opposition fizzled out and the state took complete control.

Diamonds are now recovered by removing the sand along the line of the beach and by sucking up the sea bed with deep sea mining vessels who menacingly patrol the west coast. Diamonds cause men to do many strange things and they have been smuggled out of the highly controlled areas by ingenious methods. Carrier pigeons have managed to re-locate a few of the precious gems, workers have tried hiding them in deep cuts in their legs and one man sent his zither home for repair full of diamonds and his unwitting wife sent it back to him with them still inside.

Accommodation in Alexander Bay

• Brandkaros Farm
• Hodaspiek
• Lelieshoek - Oemsberg
• Venstervalle

The self contained, coastal mining town of Alexander Bay lies in the most northwest corner of South Africa at the mouth of the Orange River. Some of the world’s richest diamonds deposits are found in this area, along with a wealth of natural and cultural diversity. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded in the RAMSAR wetlands at the river mouth, including Barlows Lark, which is found nowhere else in the world. Locked away in secret is a coast unimaginably rich in sea life, where seal and bird colonies breed undisturbed. The entrance to Alexander Bay is heralded by unique, bright orange and green fields of lichen, sustained by dense mist that creeps in from the sea over the harsh semi desert coastal plains. Further inland profound silence, a profusion of strangely shaped succulents and awesome rock formations fill the Richtersveld Mountain Desert. Alexander Bay forms a gateway to the Richtersveld National Park, home to one of the greatest diversities of succulents in the world. The Richtersveld is steeped in Nama tradition, and goat farmers still live the same semi nomadic life of the andestral Khoisan. Alexander Bay is the ideal place to stop on your way to or from the Richtersveld. The Tourism Information Centre at the entrance gate to the town, can arrange accommodation, delicious farm cuisine, tours and use of the town’s sport and recreational facilities, including fishing and golf. There are lovely walking and cycling trails along the Orange River and around the wetland at the river mouth. A ‘Living Museum’ captures the romance of the past and the promise of the future. With prior notice, tours of the dairy, ostrich and citrus farms along the Orange River can be arranged, as can tours of Alexkor Diamond Mine. On the banks of Orange River, 25 km from town, is Brandkaros Rest Camp. Surrounded by green fields of lucern and the sweet smell of citrus orchards, this camp is a real oasis in the desert. There are camping and caravan facilities, trailers and traditional rondavels, as well as a swimming pool. There are also lovely walk along the Orange River. You should take your own provisions and these can easily be obtained in Alexander Bay. Alternatively, enjoy the warm hospitality of Muisvlak, a community run motel about 10 km out of Port Nolloth. Muisvlak is close to the coast and depending on mining activities, the Alexander Bay Tourism Information Centre may be able to arrange for you to enter restricted diamond territory, for a guided walk to see seals, spectacular cliffs and caves, blow holes and the rich rocky shores of the Namaqualand coast. Visitors to the Richtersveld need to be well prepared and can obtain information, equipment, water supplies and emergency back up services in Alexander Bay. The Tourism Information Centre can arrange for you to enter, camp and hike with local guides in the Richtersveld National Park.

Canoeing and 4 x 4 safaris

Can also be arranged. To add to this experience, visitors can enjoy a wonderful cultural experience in the hospitable, small communities of Sanddrift, Lekkersing, Kuboes and Eksteenfontein, on the periphery of the park. Visitors stay in community run guest houses, traditional huts and camp sites, and with prior notice, traditional meals, entertainment and local guides can be arranged.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Rivers – Orange

HISTORICAL VIEW

Alluvial Diamond Mine and Museum Tours – Alexkor Diamond Mine

Kodas Mine

The ruins of Kodas Mine, within the Richtersveld National Park and the only mine that was really successful in the Richtersveld copper belt, lie 10 km from Sendelingsdrift on the Alexander Bay Road. The mine was opened in 1854 and operated on and off until the 1920’s. The shaft, no more than 40 m deep, was once the deepest in Namaqualand. Ore was transported by mule and ox-wagon to a rock jetty 12 km away on the south bank of the Orange River. During seasonal floods it was sent down stream by barge, off loaded some 3 km from the river mouth, and transported overland to Alexander Bay for export by sailing ship. On a rock overlooking the Orange at Koeskop, about halfway on the voyage to the mouth, there is an inscription (parts of which are still legible), to commemorate the passage of the first copper carrying barge pas that point in 1854.

NATURE

Desert Lichenfield

A hill where 29 species of lichen are found, the only place in the world where such a high concentration of different lichens are found.

RAMSAR Wetlands

More than 200 species of birds have been recorded in the wetlands at the river mouth, including Barlows Lark, which is found nowhere else in the world.

Richtersveld National Park

Is situated east of Alexander Bay on the road to Sendelingsdrift

ATTRACTIONS

Mine Tours

Alexkor is well known for it’s diamond mining operations in Namaqualand, and offers conducted tours of it’s mines at Alexander Bay on a weekly basis. The tour includes visits to a seal colony and an oyster farm.

Nama Culture

To be experienced at the four communities of the Richtersveld, namely Eksteenfontein, Lekkersing, Kuboes and Sanddrift.

ACTIVITIES

Outdoors

Bird Watching, Canoeing, Cycling, Fishing, Hiking Trails, River Rafting.

Accommodation in and around Alexander bay