The group I am traveling with will be staying near Kimberley the first week of August, 2010. I will be hunting with my wife, but the other two couples will just be relaxing.
Any suggestions for the other 2 couples? Things to do, places to see in the near area?

Any help is appreciated.

Go to the international diamond mining museum. You MUST see the "Big Hole." Go on a tour of the diamond mines. It is absolutely fascinating.

There is also a casino with a pretty good restaurant.

there are a couple nice game ranches in the vicinity that you could go on game drives.

Thanks!

Anyone know of big cat areas near there?

Any natural areas worth seeking out?

PM bobc, he has spent some time in and around that area with his wife as I recall. I think he also posted a hunt report. He hunted with Katte and was able to meet Fred Everett while he was there before Fred passed away.

I was there in 07 and we also went to a different museum. There is a combination natural history museum along with a history of Kimberley. There are examples of the different eco systems and many examples of the birds, animals and reptiles of the area. In the history sections you can see the uniforms and weapons from the Boer wars thru Vietnam. I spent many hours there and you could spent an entire day between this museum and the diamond mine. Also spent a few minutes in the cities main round about viewing the monument to the soldiers and see the Long Cecil Cannon that was designed and built by an American Engineer that was credited with preventing Kimberley from being overrun in the Boer wars. Also ate lunch at a really good Portugese restaurant that was near the War Monument.

I talked to Johnny Vivier last night, here in Lewistown, and he said the diamond mine is definitely worth going to. He said to watch the wife.

He also mentioned something about a lion breeding program and lion cubs.

Game drives were his third recommendation

Also pick up anything shiny off the ground while you are there.

Just do not be seen doing it.

Bloomfontein is 145 km away (just under 1.5 hours drive). On the Kimberley side on R64 there is the museum near Soutpan with an exhibit on Florisbad man and ancient Buff with massive horn spread. Closer to Bloem is a wildlife park and the lion feeding is supposed to be spectacular. You will need to get times from a tourist centre.

Car hire is very cheap and easy in South Africa and driving yourself around is a great way to meet the locals.

I would submit that a full week in Kimberley will be a long time.

Go on the acclaimed ghost tour.... that is if you can handle it.... scared the living spirit out of me!!!!

App it is the ghost capital of the world. quite a laugh! go head out to a current working diamond mine called koffiefontein, then phone one of my in-laws and go and see a massive farming operation(50 000ha of maize)

shout if i can help

Hi Wildfowl,

I know Kimberley pretty well, one of my hunting concessions is 70 kilometers from the big hole. As everyone has mentioned, the big hole and museums is a must, As MThuntr mentioned watch out for your wife as a diamond is a womens best friend, and the more diamonds she wants the less hunting you can do
Mokala national game park is right next door to my hunting concession, accomodation is very reasonably priced and the game viewing is excellent, Buffalo, white rhino, roan and tsessebe as well as many other plains game are seen in abundance. Kimberley area has the most beautiful sunsets i've seen ever. Flamingo's casino has a great resturant, beef and venison steaks to die for. There are several battlefields in the area if your friends are interested in our history. Bird shooting is also very good near Bloemfontein. I'm sure you and your friends will have an awesome holiday, give me a shout if i can help or give advice.
Enjoy
Murray

We were there in 2007, we visited the Big Hole, I bought some diamond earings for my wife at the jewellry store attached that impressed her jeweller back home a great deal. We also visited a Boer war memorial/museum. HAd a great luch at a private club/restaurant.

I hunted near Kimberly with Katzke Hunting Safaris. Great outfit, Katte is a super PH and friend. We did our sight seeing elsewhere. We went through Cape Town so we could spend time there on each end of the trip.Great city for couples. We went to Pilanesberg National Park for game viewing. It's a good 5 hours away. I really recommend some time at a game park for phototgraphy. We did it before the hunt, and it was a great way for my wife (and me) to familiarize with the animals, birds, get used to seeing game in the field. We did go to the Big Hole, an ineresting half day trip.Bob

Thanks for all the info and help! I am really looking forward to this as it will be my first trip to Africa.