The Big Hole Official Site | Tourist Attractions in Kimberley

A LASTING LEGACY FOR THE PEOPLE OF KIMBERLEY

The Big Hole Kimberley

Welcome to the new Official Site of The Big Hole: thebighole.com!

Kimberley Big Hole History
150 years ago, the site of the Big Hole was a featureless, flat-topped hill. When word spread that diamonds had been discovered, thousands of prospectors, armed with nothing more than picks, shovels and hope, descended on Kimberley and created the largest hand-dug excavation in the world.

Kimberly is one of the most unique and authentic historical destinations in South Africa, because of the Kimberley diamond mine, which occupies a surface of 17 hectares, 463 meters wide, for a depth of 240 meters, and it used to be active since 1871 to 1914.

The Big Hole in Kimberley is considered as one of the deepest cavities excavated by man with a depth of 200m. Next to the Big Hole is the Kimberley Mine Museum, the first ever discovery of diamond reserves in the country. One of the most interesting facts about the Big Hole in Kimberley is that after the mining operations were finally over, the Big Hole become the most visited tourist attraction in Kimberley.

The Old Town

The Old Town brings the New Rush era to life, where the hopeful, the desperate and the determined flocked to the town of Kimberley to seek their fortunes.

You’ll discover period buildings that have been preserved or restored to their original glory; these include a church built in Europe and shipped to Kimberley, Barney Barnato’s boxing academy, the digger’s sleeping quarters and the De Beers railway coach, used by Cecil John Rhodes to commute between Cape Town and Kimberley. Find more Tourist Attractions in Kimberley.

It’s a big world out there

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The Big Hole, Kimberley

Welcome to a diamonds seekers destiny. Come and experience a day in a miner’s life, explore a “Hole” new experience.

What caused the Big Hole in Kimberley?
A camp of diggers began working in 1872. The crew was around 50.000, but as the work progressed many men met their deaths because of mining accidents, the unsanitary conditions, scarcity of water and vegetables also took a toll on the workers. Many people refer to the Big Hole in South Africa as a cursed mine.

The Big Hole Official Site is offering to all tourists the opportunity to join the informative Kimberley Big Hole tours and visit the old town, the Makala National Park, the Diggers’ Memorial and you can use the lift to have an underground experience that kids will find thrilling.

The Big Hole Kimberley. You’ll Dig It!.

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THE VISITORS CENTRE & MUSEUM

The Visitor Centre tells the multi-faceted story of diamonds, this includes the lives of the people that sought them, the tools they used and the wealth they generated.

In the Visitor Centre, guests will have the opportunity to join a tour with a Site Guide and visit the museum and Old Town.

No firearms or pets are allowed on the premises.
The Big Hole Facility is wheelchair friendly.
Qualified First Aid Staff on duty throughout the day.

Visitor Information & Prices
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Tourist Attractions in Kimberley

Welcome to Kimberley, Northern Cape, in the Republic of South Africa – the original diamond-mining center of Southern Africa which offers something for everybody.

Whether you are into outdoor activities, art, or a history buff there are many tourist attractions in Kimberley you can visit including the beautiful gardens and squares of the city which are full of historical memorials and the Dronfield Nature Reserve, owned by De Beers since 1888.

Hop over to the Alexander McGregor Museum which houses significant Khoisan collections of artifacts, or the Duggan-Cronin Bantu Gallery which exhibits photographs of African miners from the early 20th century. Perhaps visit the Sol Plaatje House Museum which hosts a library for African literature, with interesting displays on Sol Plaatje’s life, or the William Humpferys Art Gallery where you can see artworks ranging from Old Dutch and Flemish paintings from the 16th century, to old British and French paintings, to contemporary South African art.

THE Kimberley