Kakamas Vineyard Ride
Kakamas is the last town before the Augrabies Falls National Park on the N14 — a small Green Kalahari service town built on the Orange River irrigation scheme that transformed this desert stretch of the river into productive vineyard and date palm agricultural land in the late 1800s. The irrigation channels that radiate from the Orange River create a network of quiet farm roads that are ideal for flat, accessible gravel riding through some of the most unusual agricultural landscapes in South Africa.
The Ride
The 25km Kakamas loop follows irrigation channel roads through vineyards, date groves and orchards along the riverbank — flat, low-traffic riding in a landscape that oscillates between lush cultivated green and the ochre-red Kalahari desert. The Griqua cultural history of the area adds a layer of historical significance — Kakamas was established in 1898 as a labour settlement for destitute Griqua people under the Dutch Reformed Church, and many of the original settlement buildings remain. A northern extension toward the Griqua heritage landscape provides longer gravel riding on desert farm roads for riders wanting more distance.
Getting There
Kakamas is on the N14, 20km east of Augrabies Falls and 90km west of Upington. GPS: -28.7739, 20.6281. Kakamas Tourism: +27 54 431 0838.
Trail Overview
| 📍 Location | Kakamas, Orange River, Green Kalahari, Northern Cape |
| 📏 Total Distance | 25km of trails |
| ⚡ Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| 🚵 Discipline | Gravel |
| 🛤️ Trail Type | Gravel Road, Farm Track |
| 🪨 Surface | Flat Orange River valley gravel and farm access roads — well-maintained irrigation channel roads — low traffic |
| 🕐 Opening Hours | Kakamas Hotel (accommodation),Fuel station,Basic town facilities,Augrabies Falls (20km — see separate listing),Kalahari Adventure Centre (Augrabies — river rafting and canoeing) |
| 🏘️ Nearest Town | A 25km accessible gravel loop through the vineyards, date groves and orchards that line the Orange River irrigation channels near Kakamas — the gateway town to the Augrabies Falls. Flat desert river valley riding at its most accessible, with the Green Kalahari wine country as backdrop. |
Trail Listings
| Trail Name | Distance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Kakamas Orange River Vineyard Loop | 25km | Easy-Moderate (from Kakamas town along Orange River irrigation channel roads — past vineyards, date groves and orchards — flat and accessible — links to Augrabies direction) |
| Griqua Cultural Route Extension | varies | Moderate (north from Kakamas into Griqua heritage landscape — gravel roads — history and desert) |
Permits & Costs
- Cost: Free — public roads and community paths.
- Where to buy: Year-round during daylight.
Amenities & Facilities
- April to September. Avoid December-January extreme heat.
Contact & Getting There
- Address: Kakamas, Orange River, Green Kalahari, Northern Cape
- GPS: -28.7739, 20.6281
- Phone: +27 54 431 0838 (Kakamas Tourism)
- Website: https://www.experiencenortherncape.com
Best Time to Ride: Kakamas (base) | Augrabies Falls (20km) | Upington (90km)
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