Kleinzee is easy to find. Take the N7 from Cape Town, travel for about 560 km and then veer left at Springbok, following the course of the Skaap River, which merges with Buffels River on its way to the sea. Set on the coast, Kleinzee (sometimes referred to as Kleinsee) was a diamond mining town, tourists visited as part of the diamond route. Until De Beers closed their mining operations. By the end of 2011 the 370 houses in Kleinzee were mostly empty and the town's population had dwindled from about 7000 to 1000. The media spoke about it as a 'ghost town'. Normally mining towns are declared 'mining disturbances', bulldozed and planted over, but De Beers had Kleinzee declared a public town to the Nama Khoi municipality.
No sooner had diamond mines closed than exciting developments to make Kleinzee a more attractive option for travellers began. It is now on the 'shipwreck and daisies route' and people visit for reasons other than diamonds. Kleinzee's dam is being used to grow oysters for export and some of the locals are employed at the abalone aquaculture project, farming abalone in giant tanks. They already produce 100 tons a year. The hugely abundant bird life at the Buffels River estuary at Kleinzee attracts birders, whilst the huge Seal colony just north of the beach, with around 350 000 animals right on the beach – the largest on-land colony in the country – is an added attraction.
The Kleinzee Shipwreck Tour is a fantastic trek over the dunefields of the beach. Book the tour at the Kleinzee Tourism office right next door to the Kleinzee Museum, also worth a visit.
The shipwreck tour has a 4x4 option of the 37 km between Kleinzee and Koingnaas. And you will need a permit to get into town as it is still regarded as a diamond-restricted area.

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 is 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.

Set on the foothills of the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains near Mossel Bay and George in a Malaria Free area in South Africa's Garden Route, Botlierskop Private Game Reserve ensures a truly unique safari experience. Botlierskop Private Game Reserve is an exceptional place for a day visit; get away, special functions, theme evenings or even intimate and exotic weddings.
The reserve is situated on a 4200 hecter game farm and comprises of over 26 different species of animals and a wide variety of birds. Wildlife at the reserve includes the rare black Impala, Rhino, Lion, Buffalo, Giraffe, Mountain Zebra and Eland. Botlierskop is a well stocked, free roaming private game reserve, which gives visitors the opportunity to view African wildlife from the safety of 4x4 vehicles, in its natural habitat. Rhino's, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, eland, bontebok and 26 more species, make up a total of more than 1800 animals. We are also proud of our relationship with the IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare), which enabled us to assist in the rescue of 4 African lions, which are also seen during the game drive.