If getting away from it all is what you’re after, the Northern Cape, South Africa’s largest province is the place for you. There are many places in this province where you can, quite literally, step right off the grid. The province is home to breathtaking scenery – from the Namaqualand's daisies all the way to the Richtersveld with its unusual natural formations. While famous for its endless desertscapes and its annual wildflower displays in Namaqualand, many people may not be aware that this province is also home to award-winning wine-producing vineyards that hug the banks of the Orange River along the Quiver Tree Route, as well as a number of craft breweries. Bezalel Wine & Brandy Estate has been operating since the 1940s and is located about 30km outside Upington along the N14 national road. Here, you can expect a world of wonder that offers tranquility, mouthwatering food, great wine and a variety of potstill brandies. The vineyard boasts a wedding venue, visitors’ shop, garden café and brewhouse, making it the perfect stop during your Northern Cape adventures. Visitors to the province of extremes can also pay a visit to Sutherland, South Africa’s top stargazing destination. This Northern Cape town is known for its clear night skies, and for its quiet summer evenings and snowy winter nights. Above all, it is the astronomical heart of South Africa, with a million stars reflecting the universe’s distant planets and galaxies. Sutherland is regarded as one of the world’s prime stargazing destinations. This small town in the heart of the Karoo desert is home to an observation station of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), which is strategically positioned in the region due to its pollution-free air that renders cloudless nights for most of the year, its semi-desert setting and its high elevation above sea level. The SAAO’s head office is in Cape Town, a four-hour drive from Sutherland. The Northern Cape is not just a playground for adventurers and thrill seekers, and those in search of abundant wildlife or simply peace and quiet – it also offers fascinating insights into early human historical records, heritage sites, and ancient indigenous customs and traditions that are still practised in modern-day South Africa. The province is home to Khoe-San communities that retain close ties to their nomadic ways of life. Visitors can expect to come across and learn about a range of ancient art and science that's exhibited through song and dance, medicinal plants, game hunting and animal tracking. The ‡Khomani San live outside the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, in the Kalahari region of the Northern Cape. They were awarded this piece of land by the South African government in 2002 as compensation for land they lost during colonisation. The ‡Khomani San received 28 000ha of land, while the Mier community received 30 000ha. The Northern Cape is also a prime destination for adventure sports and thrilling outdoor activities, with its unspoiled terrain making it a drawcard for 4x4 enthusiasts ranging from weekend leisure-trippers to serious off-roaders. Take, for example, the rugged mountains of the Richtersveld, the endless flatlands of the Diamond Coast, the contrasting landscapes of the Green Kalahari and the undulating dunes of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – and you have the perfect recipe for a fun and challenging off-roading experience that will please all 4x4 eco-adventurers. Daberas Farm is a 10 000ha ecotourism destination on the southwestern border of the Augrabies Falls National Park. The 25km 4x4 trail is great for a weekend getaway with your family or a group of friends seeking out some outdoor fun in the sun. Here, you will meander through dry riverbeds, encountering intriguing geology, quiver trees and rocky koppies. Trails on this Northern Cape farm use an existing network of farm roads and tracks. Expect to spot an array of wildlife such as mammals, reptiles and bird species. This trail route will guide travellers to one of the highest peaks in the area with spectacular views of the lower Orange River valley and the 1 000m-high Nama Plateau. A visit here is guaranteed to change your life forever.