Fly Airlink - Freedom of the African Sky

The Green Kalahari

As featured and advertised in the February 2011 issue of Skyways, Airlink's inflight magazine

The middle of nowhere? That depends on your point of view. It's a privilege to be situated in the middle of the Green Kalahari. The roads are neverending and the horizon can clearly be seen. In summer the sun is as warm as the people that stay here.

From winter to summer the landscape changes from dull and dry to an explosion of green and a feeling of liveliness as the vineyards burst into leaf and then mature to be ready for harvesting. In a peaceful village in the Green Kalahari, where the Orange River feed the vineyards and bursts out at the Augrabies Falls, lies Palmhof Chalets, 80km from the nearest big town and airport and 35km from the Augrabies Falls. Kakamas is a small town, but not to be underestimated. Some say the town's name originates from the Khoi word 'gagamas' (brown), referring to the red clay of the area with which women daub their faces. Most believe Kakamas is a Korana word meaning 'poor pasture'. Today, those meanings reflect the place poorly: it's a fertile valley, graced with vineyards, cotton, lucerne, date-palm trees and other fruits. It is the pathway to carpets of wild flowers in Namakwaland in Spring; the road through Kakamas leads to date-palm trees hundreds of years old grown by the largest date farmers in the southern hemisphere; and it's a gateway to the enchanting West Coast, Cape Town and Namibia. Kakamas also boasts award-winning wines from the Orange River Wine Cellars. Guests who come to our area not only want to visit the Augrabies Falls, but enjoy the activities that are on offer at Palmhof Chalets. Professional guides take you on this journey.

Great facilities

Palmhof Chalets started with only three units 10 years ago and has grown to 24 units. These consist of five family units, eight self-catering rooms, four bed-and-breakfast rooms and seven selfcatering chalets, all en-suite. Palmhof can cater for up to 60 guests, in perfect and well organised style. All chalets are equipped with air conditioning, bedding and tea/coffee facilities and a selection of DSTV channels. The self-catering chalets have a fully equipped kitchenette as well as outside braai facilities for those pleasant stargaze- ing evenings. Wake up to a buffet breakfast in the dining area. During the day, Palmhof can prepare any meals to your liking for any group-size. The private pool area helps guests beat the summer heat. A laundry service and security are extra services on offer to make your stay an even more pleasant one. Conferences can be organised for a group up to 50 people. Palmhof Chalets will take care of all the details of your conference from organising the snacks, meals and beverages, to projectors or flipcharts. A 14-seater shuttle is available for transport from Upington airport to any destination.

Quad bike trails

In this beautiful area of contrasts Palmhof can take you on a quad bike trip not to be forgotten. You'll start at the guesthouse and go through vineyards, rocky areas and dunes where land meets river. This is about a two-hour trip, perfect to get rid of any extra energy and is suitable for children as well as those young at heart.

Another great activity is a breakfast run, where a lovely breakfast can be enjoyed on the banks of the Orange River, or a sundowner trip, with snacks and beverages, lingering lazily to admire the extraordinary, breathtaking sunsets.

River rafting

Your visit is not complete if you have not done a trip on the Orange, from paddling the quieter stretches to riding more exciting waters. This is a test for any relationship. Who is better with steering and who is better with direction? We'll leave that up to you to decide!

Other activities

Palmhof Chalets can also organise wine-tasting - the braai and lapa area with its cozy atmosphere is perfect for testing those award-winning wines. A historic sight-seeing trip can also be done as well as game viewing in a vehicle or on horseback. Remember your binoculars: this is a bird-lover's paradise. For the 'adrenalin junkies', extreme mountain biking, abseiling and paintball will test your skills. Any of these activities work well for team-building and are done on a daily basis.

How to get here

Airlink offers daily flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Upington.

By road:
From Upington: Follow the N14 to Keimoes, turn right and 40km further, over the Orange River bridge, you will arrive in Kakamas, Palmhof Chalets is situated on your left on the main road, just before the petrol station.

From Cape Town: Follow the N7 to Springbok, turn to Pofadder and then straight to Kakamas.
Or... Follow the N7 to Van Ruynsdorp, Calvinia to Keimoes, turn left at Keimoes and 40km further, over the Orange River bridge, you will arrive in Kakamas, Palmhof is situated on your left as you enter Kakamas.

From Johannesburg: Follow the N14 to Ventersdorp and then Vryburg, Kuruman, Olifantshoek and Upington. From Upington you drive past smaller communities such as Kanoneiland and through Keimoes, turn right at Keimoes and follow the road to Kakamas. Over the Orange River bridge on your left you will find Palmhof Chalets. You are now in Kakamas.