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Upington

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City
—°1
Upington (South Africa)
ℹ️

Practical info — Upington

▾

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Take a boat cruise on the Orange River with the famous 'Sakkie se Arkie'.
  • Visit the Orange River Wine Cellars for a tasting of local wines and juices.
  • Avoid the midday sun in summer; temperatures can easily soar above 40°C.
  • Admire the long avenue of date palms leading to 'Die Eiland' (The Island).
  • Use Upington as a strategic gateway to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the Kalahari.

🍽 Food

🍽
Dried Fruit

The region is world-famous for raisins and dried peaches; buy them fresh from the local cooperatives.

🍽
Karoo Lamb

Try the local lamb, which is famous for its flavor due to the aromatic herbs of the desert region.

🍽
Local Dates

Purchase fresh dates directly from the farms along the river banks.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Kalahari Mall

The biggest shopping mall in the area, excellent for stocking up before a desert safari.

🛍
Orange River Cellars Shop

The best place to buy local wines, brandies, and gourmet gifts as souvenirs.

🧘
Die Eiland

A resort area on an island in the Orange River with plenty of shaded spots for relaxation.

🧘
Spitskop Nature Reserve

A quiet spot just outside town for wildlife viewing and desert sunsets.

Upington is situated in the Northern Cape province on the fertile banks of the Orange River and was established in 1871 as a mission station named Olijvenhoutsdrift. In 1884, it was renamed after Sir Thomas Upington and grew into the primary commercial and agricultural hub of the surrounding Kalahari desert region. The harsh arid climate is mitigated by extensive irrigation from the river, supporting a thriving sector focused on table grapes, dried fruit, and wine production. The city is home to the Orange River Wine Cellars, the largest wine cooperative in South Africa and a significant global exporter. Upington Airport is notable for its 4,900-meter runway, one of the longest in the Southern Hemisphere, which was once designated as an emergency landing site for NASA's Space Shuttle. Today, the city remains a vital logistical center and the main gateway for visitors to the Augrabies Falls National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Sep, Oct.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C292826211712121418222527
Rain mm3433342310523491621

Geography

Population
71,373 (2012)
Coordinates
-28.45560, 21.23890

Facts

  • Founded in 1871 as the mission Olijvenhoutsdrift.
  • Renamed after Sir Thomas Upington in 1884.
  • Features a 4,900-meter runway used as a NASA backup site.
  • Home to the massive Orange River Wine Cellars cooperative.
  • Primary gateway to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
  • Major South African hub for sultana and grape exports.

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Upington (1)

Kalahari-Oranje Museum🏛 museum

Museum in Upington on the history of the Kalahari and Orange River regions.

Frequently asked questions

What is Upington known for?
The city is located on the Orange River and is famous for viticulture.
Can you visit the vineyards?
Yes, some wineries offer tastings and tours.
What is particularly beautiful nearby?
The Augrabies Falls National Park is an impressive natural spectacle.
Is the region hot?
Yes, Upington is one of the hottest regions in South Africa.
When is the best time to visit?
The winter months are most pleasant as summers become extremely hot.
Upington: where is it located?
Upington is located in South Africa.
Upington: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Sep, Oct.
Upington: why is it worth visiting?
Upington is situated in the Northern Cape province on the fertile banks of the Orange River and was established in 1871 as a mission station named Olijvenhoutsdrift.
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History & landmarks

Kgalagadi — Upington (South Africa)
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A vast transfrontier park known for its red dunes and the majestic black-maned Kalahari lions.

Nature

Orange River — Upington (South Africa)
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The longest river in South Africa, originating in the Drakensberg mountains.
Orange River Mouth — Upington (South Africa)
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The delta of the Orange River at the Atlantic.

More places

Augrabies Falls — Upington (South Africa)
Augrabies Falls
Spectacular waterfall on the Orange River, great for nature viewing.
Rooge Hills — Upington (South Africa)
Rooge Hills
Hilly landscape at the edge of the Great Escarpment.
Sishen Iron Ore Mine — Upington (South Africa)
Sishen Iron Ore Mine
One of the largest open-pit iron ore mines in the world, producing high-grade iron ore.
Finsch Diamond Mine — Upington (South Africa)
Finsch Diamond Mine
One of South Africa's most significant underground diamond mines, known for modern block cave mining techniques.
🗺️
Wonderwerk Cave
The Wonderwerk Cave is an archaeological site in the Kuruman Hills with evidence of human occupation dating back 2 million years.
Kharras Mountains — Upington (South Africa)
Kharras Mountains
An arid mountain region in the Northern Cape province.
Kalahari National Park — Upington (South Africa)
Kalahari National Park
Vast red sand dunes and home to desert animals.
Kalahari — Upington (South Africa)
Kalahari
A vast, dry region partially located in South Africa.