LOCAL TRAVEL
DR ELMARIE DE BRUIN: KALAHARI ELEGANCE African Vineyard Boutique Hotel & Spa is what happens when country charm dresses up for dinner. Dr Elmarie de Bruin has created a destination where vineyard views, exceptional food, and genuine hospitality come together effortlessly. It’ s sophisticated without being pretentious, exactly as the Northern Cape prefers it. The boutique hotel has also become a sought-after wedding destination in the Green Kalahari, where vineyard backdrops and warm hospitality make every celebration feel special. Contact: 060 503 8449.
TRUDIE DE WET: FARMHOUSE MAGIC If farm stalls handed out awards for making visitors feel at home, Trudie would need a bigger trophy cabinet. She transformed her family’ s century-old farmhouse into Akkerboom Plaasstal, where homemade roosterkoek, warm meals, and genuine country hospitality make“ just a quick stop” almost impossible. If you somehow manage to leave without dessert, you’ ve shown more willpower than we did. And if you’ re looking for somewhere to stay, don’ t miss her nearby De Akker Cottages. Beautifully decorated with country flair, the self-catering accommodation is reason enough to extend your visit. Contact: 082 534 7433.
The Quiver Tree
ROUTE
The Quiver Tree Route was established in 2008 through the vision of Maxi Compion of De Werf Lodge, Marina Bothma of Koms Quiver Tree Nursery, and Johan van Schalkwyk from the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
Located in the Northern Cape, it is one of the province’ s scenic travel routes and a gateway to neighbouring routes, including the Kalahari Red Dune Route, Namaqua Coastal Route, Forgotten Highway and Karoo Oasis Route. Its close proximity to Upington International Airport makes it an easy entry point to exploring the region.
Although the shortest of these routes, it offers remarkable diversity, from dramatic landscapes and award-winning wines to charming farm stalls, exceptional local cuisine, indigenous plant nurseries, hiking trails, 4x4 adventures and the warm Northern Cape hospitality.
SANDY YOUNGKRANTZ: THE STORYTELLER ON WHEELS Anyone can drive to Augrabies. Sandy from Merrycan Adventures shows you everything you might otherwise pass by. Her guided self-drive tours, complete with two-way radios, transform an ordinary road trip into a rolling masterclass on geology, wildlife, history, and local life. By the time you reach your destination, you’ ll understand the landscape almost as well as she does. Contact: 084 648 6109.
DORIEN BOTHA: JOINING THE DOTS Every memorable road trip has someone quietly making sure everything works behind the scenes. Dorien is that person. As coordinator of the Quiver Tree Route, she brings together the people, places, and personalities that make this corner of the Northern Cape feel less like a collection of attractions and more like one big welcome. Contact: 072 731 5180. IB
40 INBOUND SA / AUGUST 2026