Tourism activities in and around Kleinzee/Koingnaas operate under the brandname ‘Diamond Coast – Forever Namaqualand’ (DCFN), a small concern that has been operating as private enterprise since 1 November 2008. The Tourism Centre is situated at 1 – 3rd Street, Kleinzee, Northern Cape. S29°40’43” E017°04’10.3”
The following is a brief description of products that are endorsed and marketed by DCFN. More comprehensive information is available upon request.
4×4 Shipwreck Trail:
Please note: Reservations are essential to ensure availability of tours/guide.
A guided 37km coastal drive in the comfort of your own 4×4 vehicle (with low range). Starting point will be confirmed beforehand. Over years the moody Atlantic Ocean has cut short many a sea voyage, sending these ships to a chilly grave along the coast between Koingnaas and Kleinzee. Three shipwrecks, the Piratiny, Arosa and Border, can be seen along the tour. Pristine beaches, archaeological sites from the Late Stone Age and various historical sites complete the experience. Driving include soft sand and rocky outcrops, rendering a difficulty rating of 2-3. Fun for the entire family.
Duration: 09:00 – 14:00. Cost: R250.00.
4×4 Strandveld Trail:
Please note: Reservations are essential to ensure availability of tours/guide.
A guided 27km dune drive in the comfort of your own 4×4 vehicle. Starting point will be confirmed beforehand. The Strandveld, rich in diverse plant species, forms part of the Namaqualand coastal plain. The tour follows a sometimes virtually invisible route through the 30 000ha Strandveld Game Park, two different dune systems and alternating natural veld. Ostriches, gemsbuck, springbuck and smaller antelope (steenbuck and duiker) are common sights along the route. Soft sand! Difficulty rating 2-3. Sandboarding available for the adventurous!
Duration: 09:00 – 14:00. Cost: R250.00/person (12 years and older).
Please note: The above are strictly 4×4 activities – Not 4×2’s or any other vehicles. The prices for tours are reviewed annually.
Historical Mine Tour including the Seal Colony: (Currently unavailable):
Regrettably the mine tour (including the visit to the seal colony) is not available to the public, but we are determined and remain hopeful that this popular product will be resurrected sometime in the future.
Birding:
An estuary/wetland (Kleinzee), coastal waters and Succulent Karoo veld offer a variety of habitats and approximately 170 bird species. Spend some time in the comfort of the Buffels River Estuary Bird Hide (map available from Touristm Centre) or arrange a guided bird walk/drive.
Duration & cost: Customised.
Trapsuutjies Hiking Trail – Molyneux Nature Reserve, Kleinzee:
Named after the chameleon, (‘trapsuutjies‘ also literally, if not aptly, translates to ‘tread quietly‘) this 5km hike (uneven/steep terrain in places) offers a unique and exceptionally large variety of tiny perennial plants. To date a total of 132 species of indigenous plants (80 succulent and 21 bulb species) have been identified here. Explore these little gems with the aid of a pamphlet available from the Tourism Centre. Best time for a visit is during the rainy season – roughly from July towards the end August.
Cost: Minimal fee for the pamphlet.
Boulder Heritage Route – Kleinzee:
A comfortable, self-guided, 4km walk meandering around and through the town and which, with the assistance of a booklet, offers the tourist a glimpse into the history of early mining methods and life in town since its inception.
Cost: Minimal fee for the booklet.
Kleinzee Museum:
A visit to the local museum will entertain the tourist with historical information pertaining to early mining times and shipwrecks, geological and entomological displays as well as information on flora and fauna.
Kleinzee Museum is situated next to the Tourism Centre. R10.00/person for entrance fee.
Diamond Coast Hiking Trail: (Currently unavailable):
This exciting, guided, approximately 50km hiking trail is designed to span over three days and through varying habitat: Strandveld, dunes and pristine coastal stretches. Self-catering, portaged trail, basic accommodation (tents and stretchers). Finally up and running! Information and reservations at the Tourism Centre.
Accommodation – tariffs available upon request.
Joanne’s Guesthouses: A variety of spacious, comfortable, two-star graded guesthouses in the town of Kleinzee, some en suite, some with shared ablutions. Self-catering. Within walking distance from Crazy Crayfish Diner, Kleinzee Golf Club and most other amenities.
Kleinzee Caravan Park: Situated on the western skirts of Kleinzee. Sheltered camping sites, some with lawn. Electricity and warm water ablutions (baths too!). Communal kitchen. Within walking distance from the Buffels River Estuary, Long Beach, Kleinzee Golf Course and other amenities in town.
Restaurant facilities:
All restaurants are available for private functions/catering purposes on days other than advertised. Prior arrangements are essential and can be made directly with the establishments.
Kleinzee Golf Club: Small restaurant managed by Oom Koos. Renowned for the best steaks in Namaqualand. Dinner served from 19:00 on Wednesdays and Fridays. Licensed bar.
Crazy Crayfish Diner: Based in Kleinzee, adjacent to the KLZ Caravan Park, offering wholesome (sea)food in a pleasant casual atmosphere. Open for supper on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings. Please contact Natalie on +27 73 547 4948 about your intended visit and provide your own alcoholic drinks. Reservations must please be made at the latest by 12:00 on the day.
Kleinzee Golf Course & Club:
Scenic nine-hole course on the banks of the Buffels River. Shade-rich, grassed fairways and greens. Clubhouse is open from 16:00 on Wednesdays and Fridays and between 12:00 – 18:00 on Saturdays, otherwise make use of the ‘honesty box‘. Green fees are R50.00/person per nine-hole round.
Important information:
Security Clearance: No clearance is needed. Entering Kleinzee/Koingnaas with the intention of either passing through or spending the day in either town will only require the presentation of identification (ID, drivers’ license, passport) at the entrance gate. Should you wish to stay over at any of the accommodation entities, please inform the Security guard on duty, as to where you will be spending the night.
DCFN operates on land/property owned by EPI and subscribes to all legislative prescriptions relevant to e.g. safety, security and access control. We also form part of the Diamond Route, www.diamondroute.co.za, and therefore reserve every right to be selective with regards the products we offer to the public.
Payment: Only electronic transfers, cash or cheque payments in SA Rand will be accepted. No forex or credit card facilities are available. Payment needs to be finalised prior to/upon arrival. Tour guides do not handle payments.
Banks: There are no banks in Kleinzee, Speedpoint is available at the fuel station in Koingnaas, as well as at the Kleinzee Post Office – also operating during trading hours only. Daily limit of R500.00. Card facilities are available at both petrol stations (Kleinzee/Koingnaas).
Medical facilities/assistance: No medical facilities are available.
Shops: Basically stocked shops/café/bottle stores in Kleinzee and Koingnaas.
Fuel: Fuel stations in both Kleinzee and Koingnaas. Operating on weekdays and Saturday mornings. Call-out fee applicable at both during after-hours/Sundays/public holidays. 95, LRP and Diesel.
Of course, what we do not include in our prices are the open spaces of the Namaquanald Diamond Coast, the clean, crisp sea breeze and mysteriously dense mist rolling off the Atlantic Ocean, the hospitability of our local folk, the moderate climate and the ultimate pièce de résistance: safety, security and peace of mind.
Our fully bilingual guides are trained by the Field Guides’ Association of South Africa (FGASA), THETA and DEAT accredited.
