Lichtenburg Attractions

Lichtenburg, an agricultural center 230km/143mi west of Johannesburg, had a more eventful existence during its diamond rush in the 1920s. The area has no great scenic or cultural attractions, but the town may be a convenient stopover on a longer journey (there are a few modest hotels).

The town was founded in 1873 on the Elandsfontein farm. It developed at lightning speed after the first diamond was found in the area in 1926 and 10,000 prospectors flocked to the town. The boom lasted only ten years, during which the whole of the level river valley was dug over and the diamond fields were worked out.