The Restaurant (Eat Out Magazine write-up)

Vergelegen restaurant compliments the oasis like hospitality complex it is part of near the Northern Cape town of Kakamas. The decision to stay another night, by many a guest, was made after their eating experience in this uniquely created environment.

The decor and style of the restaurant inside becomes the playground for the creative minds of the owners. Simplicity and effective, yet subtle statements, keeps the eye wondering but the mind at ease (relaxed). A space where tourist and business people alike, feel comfortable and looked after.

The running fountain water from the outside dinning area even further enhances the fresh and cool (calm) touch to this little patio of tribute to Tuscan lifestyle. A story line of "riverbank fusion" flair brings about a menu full of surprises. The flavors and aroma from the produce of the valley reaches new hights, when combined with more traditional restaurant dishes. Ever heard of the Biltong - and peppadew soup, Kalahari Schnitzel or Pella Cordon bleu ?

A small, reasonable priced collection of wines carefully chosen to be named the wine list. Here the locally produced wines proudly stand back to back with a selected few from the Meridian wine group. A recipe at times becomes more of a creation through inspiration and love for food, than the measurements on a piece of paper. The Kitchen team and owners, all taught by trail and error, now nestle their new found careers in the plates of food unselfishly offered to their guests.

During the year 1788, great herds of buffalo were seen at Bassonsdrift. Elephants, Rhino and Hippopotamus were also regularly seen here. Kakamas comes from the Koranna word T'Kakamas, a name they gave to the place where a fierce buffalo stormed them as they were driving their cattle through the river.

There are plenty of attractions to see around Kakamas.

The "Water Tunnels" were built in 1898 to 1901 under the instruction of a self trained engineer, Mr Japie Lutz. These tunnels supplied water for irrigation in an otherwise arid country where nothing but succulents will grow. There are two tunnels, 3 to 4 meters wide, 2,5 meters deep and 97 and 172 meters long. These tunnels were dug by hand through the native rock.

Getting irrigation water to higher ground is a problem. Kakamas make use of water wheels to overcome this problem. There are currently 9 water wheels in use.

The Kakamas Museum is housed in the Transformer Building. This building is based on an Egyptian design as Kakamas and Egypt are equidistant from the equator. This building housed the hydro electrical power station which supplied Kakamas with electricity as early as 1912.
If you follow the Rocky Route, you will end up at Neus Weir after about half an hours drive. This weir is 936 meters long and approximately 6 meters high.

On 4 February 1915, a gruesome battle were fought between German forces and the people of Kakamas. The graves of the Germans who died during the battle were re-buried at the foot of a hill approximately 4 Km outside the town.

The Orange River Wine Cellars Co-op were established in 1974 and has grown to become one of the largest wine co-operatives in the world. Award winning wines are available for tasting and purchase. Guided and un-guided tours are available on request.

Kakamas is also the receiving depot of the South African Dried Fruit Co-op which was established in 1970. A wide variety of dried fruits are available for sale.

Kakamas is also near to one of the most spectacular scenes in South Africa. Augrabies Falls National Park is a must see for a visitor to this part of South Africa. It is also conveniently close to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.