Koingnaas, Northern Cape

Koingnaas is a town in Namakwa District Municipality in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. Established in 1970, Koingnaas was once a flourishing diamond-mining town, but after De Beers departed the population has fallen rapidly from its peak of about 1,000 inhabitants to approximately 105, according to a Census taken in 2011.
A gravel road leads to this small mining town. Koingnaas is in a restricted area and day visitors need to fill in a register and present an ID at the gate office. It is a typical mining town…small, with the bare necessities. Travelling on the road from Koingnaas to Kleinsee, the turn of to Noup leads to a diamond divers village snuggled in amongst the fynbos on the coast. The Koingnass Caravan Park is situated just 55 km south of Kleinzee and +15 km north of Koingnaas on the Namaqualand Diamond Coast, this seemingly rough diamond is a well guarded gem to those who have been and keep returning for simply unforgettable holidays. Twenty-one spacious sites offer one electrical point, a braai drum and black refuse bin and parking space for one vehicle, each. A maximum of 6 pax are permitted per site. They do not offer manicured lawns and shady trees, but they guarantee the sound of the waves in your ear day and night, protection from the prevailing southerly wind by wind netting, safety and total peace of mind. In fact, you will be so close to nature that you should not be surprised at the occasional visit from some little wild creatures! Children have ample space to explore, safe little bays to wade into, sandy beaches to laze on and old and young alike usually enjoy a thoroughly relaxing time. A kiosk operates during busy times (Easter week-end and December) and provides for basic camping emergencies: cold drinks, sweets, ice, wood, charcoal, fire lighters, cleaning materials & toiletries. The ablution facility offers warm showers, basins and flushing toilets. There are two washing-up facilities as well as strategically placed cold water taps throughout the camp. Water from the taps is completely fit for human consumption, though slightly brackish so you may prefer to use bottled water.