Koperberg Tours is a specialist Namaqualand tour operator based in Springbok, the administrative and commercial hub of Namaqualand .

Koperberg Tours is primarily focused on rural cultural and eco-friendly tourism and works closely with local communities in developing sustainable rural tourism within the ambit of Namaqualand , Richtersveld and the Bushmanland. Koperberg Tours has a policy of using local community field guides and to subcontract out tourism business with the communities it works with.

Koperberg Tours operates as well in the Northern Cape and along the West Coast of South Africa, now fast becoming known as South Africa 's newest tourist destination. With the advent of South Africa's newest Transfrontier Park, the Richtersveld National Park, and the Ais-Ais Nature Reserve in Namibia, Koperberg Tours is at the moment working at incorporating Southern Namibia ("Great" Namaqualand) as well into its ambit.

"Little" Namaqualand, the area within which Koperberg Tours specializes is an area of unspoilt beauty characterised by vast open spaces, interrupted by intrusive volcanic formations, gneiss domes, scattered outcroppings and ancient mountains as well as rolling red sand dunes. These, together with clear day and night skies, a fascinating plant life, an austere mountain wilderness and a world-famous kaleidoscope of brilliantly coloured wild flowers carpeting vast areas in springtime, make Namaqualand a unique eco-adventure holiday destination. Where else in the world will one find a Mountain Desert and a floral kingdom with an excess of 3,000 plant species existing side by side? Other jewels in the "Little" Namaqualand crown are a wide variety of birds, insects, reptiles and small mammals in specific areas.

Mission statement

Working in an area that is very eco-sensitive, Koperberg Tours believes in responsible tourism within these natural areas and conserving the environment and sustaining the wellbeing of the local people. Koperberg works with small to medium groups of tourists and promotes environmental and cultural awareness among its clients.

Your tour guides

Koperberg Tours is the only black empowerment tour operator in the Northern Cape and has three partners, namely:

Ivan Groenewald - Ivan, who is 45 years of age, holds a B Com degree and is resident in Steinkopf. He is currently working for the Namakwa Districts Municipality as Departmental Head for Economic Development and Tourism. Ivan, having grown up in the Richtersveld has that special feel for the peoples he works for and taught for many years and through his work is investing his knowledge and know how back into Namaqualand and its peoples.

Patrick Ford - Patrick, who is 53 years of age, has been resident in the Richtersveld for the last 10 years having moved from Cape Town with a specific vision of helping disadvantaged children and young adults. He settled with his wife, Marina, on the family farm and now manages the Kalkfontein Guest Farm situated east of Lekkersing in the Southern Richtersveld. In the past 5 years Patrick has become involved in tourism and has built up an exceptional knowledge of the plants and birds that are found on the farm and southern Richtersveld.

Norman Featherstone - Norman, who is 55 years of age, is a specialist Namaqualand tour guide registered with South African Tourism, has extensive hospitality experience, a wide knowledge and love of Namaqualand and its peoples. Norman, Koperberg Tours Manager, is the tour guide as well. Norman specialises in South African War (1899-1902) ( Namaqualand ), Copper Mining, Botany, Geology and 4x4 guiding. In conjunction with his two partners, tours are developed and put together using the experience of Wilna, Ivan and Norman as well as their knowledge of "Little" Namaqualand and its communities.

You are cordially invited to contact us for any information about tours, what to do or see, or for an introduction to Namaqualand .

Click here for 2006/2007 Tours and Safaris on offer