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AfricaSouth AfricaNorthern Cape

Upington

Northern Cape, South Africa · Africa

About Upington

Upington sits on the route: 20 minutes from Swartkop.

Upington is a town located in Northern Cape, South Africa. With a population of 71,373, it is an important destination in Africa.

On a road trip, Upington sits in South Africa, where you drive on the left. It's in the Africa/Johannesburg time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Upington to your route.

About Upington

Upington (Khoekhoe: ǁKhara hais) is a town founded in 1873 and located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, on the banks of the Orange River. The town was originally called Olyvenhoutsdrift ('Olive wood drift'), due to the abundance of olive wood trees in the area, but later renamed after Sir Thomas

Read more Upington, Attorney-General and then Prime Minister of the Cape. It originated as a mission station established in 1871 and run by Reverend Christiaan Schröder. The mission station now houses the Kalahari Orange Museum. The museum is also the home of a donkey statue, which recognises the enormous contribution that this animal made to the development of the region during the pioneering days of the 19th century. The elevation of Upington is 2,742 feet (835 metres). It is the closest large centre to the Augrabies Falls (arguably the greatest of South African waterfalls) and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The landscape is very arid but the soil is fertile and crops such as fruit are grown in irrigated fields. The area is best known for its export-quality grapes, raisins and wines, which are cultivated on the rich flood plains of the Orange River.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Upington

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Upington?

Upington offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Upington?

Plan your road trip to Upington with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Upington as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Upington located?

Upington is located in Northern Cape, South Africa, Africa. The coordinates are -28.4478 latitude, 21.2561 longitude.

What is the population of Upington?

Upington has a population of approximately 71,373 people, making it a town in South Africa.

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Quick Information

Population
71,373
Continent
Africa
Country
South Africa
Region
Northern Cape
Timezone
Africa/Johannesburg
Coordinates
-28.4478, 21.2561

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in South Africa

Police
10111
Ambulance
10177
Fire
10177
All emergencies
112
Driving side
left

112 works from mobiles. Avoid driving at night in rural areas; keep doors locked in cities.

Full driving guide for South Africa

Tags

AfricaSouth AfricaNorthern CapeTown

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Upington.

Nuwerus NC

🇿🇦 South Africa

3 km awayPop. 8,531

Swartkop

🇿🇦 South Africa

9 km awayPop. 1,979

Raaswater

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17 km awayPop. 3,352

Leerkrans

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27 km awayPop. 1,657

Grootdrink

🇿🇦 South Africa

50 km awayPop. 3,169

Gannaput

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67 km awayPop. 1,674

Kakamas

🇿🇦 South Africa

72 km awayPop. 9,538

Cillie

🇿🇦 South Africa

73 km awayPop. 2,359

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence