Kalahari-Oranje Museum - Upington, Northern Cape

Set along quiet Schröder Street in the heart of Upington, the Kalahari-Oranje Museum offers a captivating glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of the Northern Cape. Housed in the original mission buildings established in the 1870s by Reverend Christiaan Schröder, the museum immediately charms visitors with its white-washed walls, shaded stoep, and evocative sense of place. Once the centre of the early settlement that would grow into modern-day Upington, the complex still radiates the atmosphere of a frontier outpost on the banks of the Orange River.

The museum’s history is closely intertwined with the development of the town itself. Schröder’s mission station, founded in the early 1870s, was the nucleus around which the community formed, and several of these original buildings remain intact today. The former manse, now part of the museum, is furnished with pieces dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, providing an authentic look into domestic life during the pioneering era. The old church hall, added in the 1940s, has also been repurposed as exhibition space, offering visitors an engaging bridge between Upington’s early missionary heritage and its later agricultural growth.

Inside, the museum features an appealingly diverse collection. Displays include household artefacts from the missionary period, early farming tools used in the development of the Lower Orange River Valley, and cultural items linked to the indigenous Khomani San. Local gemstones and geological pieces add another layer of regional identity. Outside, the beloved bronze donkey statue, created in the 1980s, stands as a tribute to the tireless animals that once powered irrigation systems, transported goods, and helped transform Upington into a thriving agricultural hub. For many travellers, it has become one of the most photographed landmarks in the Green Kalahari.

A visit to the Kalahari-Oranje Museum is both peaceful and rewarding, offering an intimate, human-scale understanding of the people, cultures, and landscapes that shaped this remote region. Its central location makes it an easy stop while exploring Upington’s riverside attractions, wineries, or scenic lookouts. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about the stories behind this desert town, the museum offers a warm and insightful introduction.