PHOTOGRAPHYRENÉ DE KLERK; GALLO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK86 | AUGUST 2019 | L&L
family life
5 WAR HISTORY
The Anglo Boer War began on
11 October 1899. Within four
days, British soldiers besieged
Kimberley. Battles took place
at Belmont, Graspan, and
Modder River. But the biggest
took place at Magersfontein,
an event that was a total
disaster for the British troops.
The Boers made use of trenches
and outwitted the English, still
visible at the Magersfontein
Battlefield Museum today. But
apart from this site, there are
plenty in and around town. The
Honoured Dead Memorial is
one example. This monument
is the work of Sir Herbert Baker,
commissioned by Cecil John
Rhodes. It commemorates the
27 men who lost their lives during
the Siege of Kimberley. LLFOR MORE INFORMATION
Big Hole Museum: 053 839 4600 or bighole.co.za
New Rush Guesthouse: 053 839 4455 or [email protected]
Mokala National Park: 053 204 8000 or sanparks.org
Rooipoort Nature Reserve: 053 839 4455 or [email protected]
Dronfield Nature Reserve: 053 839 4455 or [email protected]4 Rooipoort Nature Reserve
This nature reserve is much like
Dronfield and also belongs to De
Beers, but is more rugged. In fact, at
just over 42 000 hectare, it’s advisable
to drive with a guide to prevent
getting lost, or to take a radio if you
want to do your own exploring.
Rooipoort is home to 14 species
of antelope, zebra and giraffe. While
there are no dangerous predators,
many of their species hold special
conservation value. Their ostrich are
the only recognised pure flock in
South Africa as they were never mixed
with imported birds from West Africa
during the feather boom in the late
1800s. It’s not the ideal game-viewing
destination yet as the reserve has only
been focusing on tourism for a few
years. As a result, not all the wildlife is
habituated to vehicles yet, but luckily
there is enough to see on drives.
The kids will love a stop at Bushman’s
Fountain. This rocky outcrop isn’t only
ideal to stretch the legs, but home to
more than 4 000 rock engravings.
STAY Most of the accommodation
options have historic connections. The
Shooting Box was built under instruction
of Cecil John Rhodes to accommodate
hunters to the area. This building can
accommodate a large family group of
up to 12 people.
Smaller families
can stay in one of
two cottages in the
same complex,
which sleep four
people each. Older
kids will love the old
mining implements
displayed in the area.
The reserve also has
eight safari tents
which accommodate
two people each.