On one of our many road trips from Cape Town to Pretoria, a route we knew far too well thanks to my husband being a Pretoria local, we decided to ditch the usual N1 routine and take a little detour. Instead of the straight shot, we made our way to Kimberley for a rest stop… and a bit of adventure.
After 10 hours, several snack breaks, and the kind of Karoo heat that makes you question your life choices, we finally rolled into Kimberley, a city where history, dust, and diamonds collide. Nestled in the Northern Cape, this quirky little gem has a lot more going on than just a very big hole in the ground (although yes, we saw that too, how could we not?).
We only had a day to explore, but we made it count. From the famous Big Hole to a slow, scenic drive around town, Kimberley gave us just the right mix of vintage charm, heartfelt hospitality, and dusty small-town magic. Here’s what we squeezed into 24 hours and why this unexpected pit stop turned out to be a real Ashventure.
Our Home for the Night: The Ambassador Lodge
After a long day of sun, snacks, and surviving the Karoo stretch, we checked into The Ambassador Lodge and honestly, it felt like a warm hug from the past. This charming little bed and breakfast looked like it time-travelled straight out of your granny’s photo album, in the best way possible. Think: soft lighting, floral details, old-school hospitality, and that comforting feeling like someone’s already turned the kettle on for you.
Our room was cozy, clean, and cool (bless the aircon gods), and it had everything we needed to recharge including a pool area outside that gave major peaceful vibes. After roasting on the road, this place was a real soft landing.
But here’s what really touched our hearts, they catered halaal breakfast just for us. Without fuss, without drama, just pure thoughtfulness. It’s the kind of gesture that goes beyond service and straight into sincerity. So a big thank you to The Ambassador Lodge for going the extra mile. It didn’t go unnoticed.
If you’re ever in Kimberley and need a spot that’s welcoming, clean, and full of heart, this is it.
One Big Hole, One Big Adventure
With just 24 hours in Kimberley, we had time for only one major activity but trust me, this one pulled more than its weight. You can’t come to Kimberley and not see the Big Hole. It’s literally the town’s most iconic claim to fame (pun intended).
We signed up for the full tour and let me tell you, it’s so much more than just staring into a giant pit. From cinematic storytelling to an underground tunnel experience, old-school mining gear, and a diamond vault that had me side-eyeing my husband, this tour was packed with surprises.
Here’s what to expect on the Big Hole experience, and why it turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly fascinating stops on our SA road trip.
Big Hole Tour Info: When to Go & What It Costs
If you’re planning a visit, here’s the lowdown on the Big Hole tour:
🗓️ Open: Monday to Sunday
🕘 Tour Times: Tours run throughout the day, so you can usually join one without too much waiting.
🎟️ Ticket Prices:
Adults: Around R130
Kids (under 12): Around R60
Pensioners & Students: Around R100
(Prices are subject to change, so always check the official website before you go: thebighole.co.za)
You can book online or buy your tickets at the entrance. We didn’t pre-book and managed just fine, but if you’re visiting during school holidays or on a weekend, it’s worth being early.
Lights, Camera… History!
The tour kicks off in true dramatic fashion with a cinema-style short film that sets the scene for Kimberley’s diamond rush days. You grab your seat, the lights dim, and suddenly you’re transported back to the late 1800s, where fortune, frenzy, and a whole lot of dust ruled the day.
But fair warning the history hits hard. It’s fascinating, yes, but also deeply unsettling at times. The movie doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of how diamonds were mined and who paid the real price. It’s one of those “wait, they did what?!” moments that stays with you long after the lights come back on.
Raw and real, it sets the tone for what’s to come a tour that’s part sightseeing, part time travel, and part truth bomb.
The Bridge with a View (and a Drop!)
After the film, you’re led out onto a bridge-style viewing platform that hovers over the legendary Big Hole and trust me, it’s a lot to take in.
This isn’t just any hole in the ground. It’s the largest hand-dug excavation on Earth. Let that sink in. Hand-dug. More than 50,000 miners, with nothing but picks, shovels, and sheer determination, carved this out in search of sparkling stones. The result? A massive crater roughly 215 meters deep and more than 170,000 square meters wide, now partially filled with turquoise water.
Standing there, staring down into it, you can’t help but feel tiny. The view is impressive and eerie all at once, like a giant scar in the earth with a haunting kind of beauty. It’s also a great photo op, just don’t drop your phone unless you want it to become part of mining history.
Rust, Relics & Really Old Toilets
Just when you think the tour has peaked, it keeps on giving. After the lookout, you step back onto solid ground and wander through a stretch of open-air exhibits, basically a treasure trove of mining-era artifacts scattered around like someone hit pause in history.
There are old mining carts, rusted machinery, and gear that looks like it hasn’t moved since the 1800s. And yes, believe it or not, there’s even a full-on metal toilet on display. Because what’s a historical experience without a glimpse of where the British… handled their business?
It’s like stumbling onto a forgotten movie set, gritty, nostalgic, and oddly fascinating.
Now for the Most Insane Part…
The underground tunnel.
Not Hamas tunnels, relax. But while we’re here Free Palestine 🇵🇸 🍉
Back to Kimberley.
This part of the tour takes you into a replica mining tunnel that gives you a real feel for just how rough life was down there. It’s dim, tight, and slightly claustrophobic and that’s with it being clean and safe for tourists. Back in the day? Think pitch dark, extreme temperatures, choking dust, and the constant fear of a collapse.
Walking through the tunnels really puts into perspective what thousands of miners endured in search of diamonds. It’s eerie, intense, and one of the most powerful moments of the tour.
The Museum & The Vault of Bling
After the tunnels, you step into the museum and let me tell you, it’s a serious glow-up from the gritty underground.
The displays walk you through the entire diamond process from how they were mined and sorted, to how they’re cut, polished, and eventually turned into the sparkly stuff we all love. The tools, the history, and the craftsmanship are all laid out so beautifully, it’s hard not to be impressed.
But the real showstopper? The vault.
Yep, a legit diamond vault filled with cut and uncut stones, and replicas of some of the most famous diamonds ever found in South Africa. I may or may not have nudged hubby dearest at that point with a casual “I’ll take that one, thanks.”
Honestly, big shoutout to the team behind the displays, they’ve done such a brilliant job of preserving the history while making it accessible and seriously impressive. If you love a bit of sparkle and drama, this part is absolutely worth it.
Stepping Back in Time: The Old Town
Just when you think the tour’s wrapping up, you step outside and it’s like you’ve time-travelled straight into the 1800s.
The Old Town is a full-on replica (with some original pieces too) of what Kimberley looked like during the diamond rush era. Think saloons, horse-drawn carts, and charming shopfronts with vintage signage. There’s even an old hotel and a church that make you feel like you’re in a wild west movie
You can peek into old barbershops, pharmacies, and even a vintage photography studio. It’s all so well done that for a moment, you forget you’re in 2025 and not 1885.
It’s fun, it’s immersive, and it’s the perfect ending to the Big Hole experience, you don’t just learn the history, you walk through it.
Final Sparkles & Souvenirs
Before we waved goodbye to Kimberley, we made one last essential stop, the souvenir shop. Because what’s a proper Ashventure without a fridge magnet to commemorate the chaos?
The shop is full of little gems (some literal, some novelty), from Big Hole keepsakes to sparkly souvenirs. It’s the kind of place that tricks you into “just browsing” and suddenly you’re choosing between three types of keyrings.
Honestly, we didn’t expect much. Kimberley isn’t hyped up on the usual tourist trail, but wow, it’s completely underrated. We were genuinely impressed by the level of care, storytelling, and detail that went into the whole experience. From the warm hospitality to the rich (and sometimes raw) history, Kimberley surprised us in the best way possible.
Next time, we’re bringing our little traveller along because if there’s one thing this trip taught us, it’s that the best detours are often the most dazzling.
See you at my next destination!
xoxo, Ash
