Springbok, Northern Cape

Garden of the Gods

Springbok is known as the "Gateway to Namibia" and lies only 120 km south of the Namibian border, an ideal stop over town between Cape Town and Windhoek.

There are a few reasons to spend a few nights in this small pretty town in the heart of the Namaqualand, famous for its wondrous display of spring flowers that burst into bloom every August and September. Springbok offers many attractions, historical sites, museums and some fine restaurants serving up traditional Namaqualand flavours.  It is also a lively shopping haven and attraction for people from the surrounding small towns of Pofadder, Garies, Kleinzee, Port Nolloth and Alexander Bay which are all within less than one and a half hours drive from Springbok.

The town is formed around a central koppie, or hill, known by the locals as “Klipkoppie”. It was used by the Boers as a fort during the Second Boer War because of its incredible vantage point. Views across the valley are beautiful from here and the site is also home to a modest stone church built in 1921.

Springbok offers a few quaint B&B’s and Guesthouses for visitors stopping in to enjoy some Namaqualand hospitality.   

Places to Visit

Things to do and see

• The Klipkoppie
• The Blue Mine
• Namaqualand Mountain Bike Trail
• Silver Sand Hiking Trail
• Burke’s Pass
• Goegap Nature Reserve
• Hester Malan Flower Garden
• Messelpad Pass
• Wildeperdehoek Pass
• Richtersveld National Park
• Richtersveld Cultural & Botanical Landscape
• Fly Fish on the Orange River
• Augrabies Waterfall
• Spribgbok Golf Club
• Nababeep Mine Museum (19km)

Climate

Springbok receives approximately 100 mm of rain per year with most of its annual rainfall during winter.

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 14˚C and 29˚C.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 4˚C and 17˚C.

Transport

There are the occasional domestic flights into Upington Airport which is approximately 385 km away from Springbok. A more popular route however, is to fly to Cape Town and travel the 565 km along the N7 to Springbok, stopping along the way at the many wonderful West Coast towns. Car hire facilities are available at all Airports.

History

Springbok has a colourful history that is closely linked to the copper industry and the town was the site of the first commercial mining operation in the country. The first copper mine was opened in 1852 on the farm Melkboschkuil and was named Blue Mine. The town of Springbok itself was laid out in 1862 and was originally named Springbokfontein, shortened to Springbok in 1911.

The town developed rapidly, but in the 1870’s when richer copper deposits were discovered just 10 km further north in Okiep, the town started to decline. The town remained the main water source for the area and this secured its continued development into the commercial and administrative centre for various mines.

Today, Springbok is the commercial and administrative centre for the mining area and capital of Namaqualand. It is a prosperous town with approximately 15 000 inhabitants.