- Northern Cape
- Prieska
Prieska, Northern Cape
- Information
- Commerces & Services (7)
Prieska lies on the southern bank of the Orange River, at the foot of the Doringberg, approximately 251 km from Upington and 240 km from Kimberley.
The little Northern Cape town provides some unique attractions and historical sites. A must is the British Stone Fort on the top of Prieska Koppie overlooking the town which is made entirely of unprocessed tiger's eye and must be the only fort in the world constructed from semi-precious stones. The fort was built during the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. Prieska is famed for semi-precious stones, especially tiger's eye and its variants. The stones are despatched to jewellers all over the world.
The area between Prieska and Vioolsdrif, and even right up to the Namibian border on the other side of the Augrabies Falls National Park, is unofficially known as the “Rock Garden Route” where rare succulents and halfmens can be found. The Huysamen Aloe Garden just outside Prieska contains a large array of just such succulents!
Prieska accommodation includes a few self-catering cottages, B&B’s and Guesthouses in the town.
Things to do and see
- Prieska Museum
- Huysamen Aloe Garden
- Prieska Memorial Garden
- Old British Fort
- Karoo Gariep Conservancy
- Rolfontein Nature Reserve
- Die Bos Nature Reserve
- Wonders of Wonderdraai
- Schuman Rock Collection
Climate
Prieska receives approximately 244 mm of rain annually with most of its annual rainfall during summer.
Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 16˚C and 34˚C.
Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 0˚C and 20˚C.
Transport
There are daily flights into Kimberley Airport, approximately 240 Km’s away via the R357, Car hire facilities are available at the Airport.
History
The first trail blazed across the Karoo reached the Orange River at a ford known to the Hottentot tribes as Prieschap, a Koisan word meaning 'place of the lost goat'. When the number of travellers to the interior increased, a handful of traders and a missionary settled at the ford and in 1878 the town of Prieska was established.
The town was renowned for its semi-precious stones, today the town is noted for blue asbestos mining, livestock breeding and farming.
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