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Northern Cape, South Africa · ZA
The city the diamond rush built, home to the Big Hole
History & Heritage
Diamonds first surfaced here in 1866, when the 21.25-carat 'Eureka' diamond was found on the banks of the Orange River. In 1871 a rush began on a low hill called Colesberg Kopje, soon nicknamed 'New Rush', as diggers by the thousand staked claims by hand.
By 1873 the boomtown was proclaimed Kimberley, growing into South Africa's second-largest town around what became known as the Big Hole. Cecil Rhodes and Barney Barnato's rival companies merged in 1888 to form De Beers Consolidated Mines, which by Rhodes's death controlled around 90% of the world's diamond production. The town was besieged during the Second Boer War from October 1899 to February 1900.
Diamond money also made Kimberley a stage for firsts: South Africa's first stock exchange opened here in 1881, and in 1882 it became one of the first cities in the Southern Hemisphere to install electric street lighting. It became the Northern Cape's provincial capital in 1994.
Key Historical Places
The excavation that built the city: dug from 1871 to 1914, 17 hectares wide and originally 240m deep.
↑ Allow at least half a day.
Preserved home of writer and founding ANC secretary-general Sol Plaatje, declared a national monument in 1992.
↑ Pair with the Sol Plaatje statue nearby.
Founded 1907 in a building originally commissioned by Cecil Rhodes, the city's main heritage and natural history museum.
↑ Ask about its branch museums on the same ticket network.
Timeline
Must-See Attractions
The world-famous hand-dug diamond excavation, with a reconstructed period mining town.
Allow 3-4 hours
The city's flagship heritage museum, founded 1907.
Central Kimberley
Preserved home of writer and political organiser Sol Plaatje.
Short drive from the city centre
A wetland famous for its lesser flamingo breeding colony, one of only a handful in Africa.
North of the city
One of South Africa's leading regional art collections.
Central Kimberley
Accommodation
Bread & Barrel Eureka Guesthouse, Hillcrest, Kimberley Excellent 4.4/5 guest house in Kimberley (Hillcrest). 5 rooms. Property Details Type: Guest House Guest Rating: 4.4/5 (Google, 104 reviews) Check-in: 16:00–23:00 Check-out: 05:00–10:00 Rooms: 5 Amenities Air-conditioning, Private bathroom in every room, Private terrace (ground floor), Work desk and seating area, Free WiFi, Free private parking, Outdoor...
Restaurants & Dining
A well-reviewed restaurant in Kimberley.
The Kimberley branch of the popular South African burger chain.
The Kimberley branch of the well-known South African steakhouse chain.
A well-reviewed local grill restaurant.
Activities & Experiences
Go beyond the viewing deck with the mine museum's underground tour and diamond vault.
Look for the resident lesser flamingo colony.
A self-guided route past Kimberley's Victorian and Edwardian diamond-era architecture.
One of the country's notable regional art collections.
Events & Entertainment
Events guide coming soon.
Book mixed tickets and experiences for your trip to Kimberley
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