• The Northern Cape is in the semi-desert, so advise clients to layer their clothing – light for the heat of the afternoons and a jersey or jacket for the chilly evenings and early mornings. It is almost always very hot during the day, even in winter, and winter nights in particular (from May to August) can be freezing.

• This is a malaria-free province.

• The use of sufficient sunscreen is advised as it gets very hot and the sun’s rays can be harmful.

• The water in towns and cities is safe to drink, but visitors should ensure they have sufficient bottled water when travelling long distances.

• Want a souvenir? Kimberley is well known for its exquisite, individually crafted diamond jewellery.

• Make sure gadgets are fully charged before embarking on a long road trip through the province, as a viable electricity supply may not always be available between towns.

The Gariep (Orange) River, which flows through the province, is the longest river in South Africa, with a total length of 2 200km.