Forget the GPS for a moment. The real stars of the Quiver Tree Route aren’t marked by pins on Google Maps. They’re the women waiting to welcome you along the way.
During a recent five-day road trip through the Northern Cape, Inbound discovered that, while the quiver trees may have put this route on the map, it’s the women who give it its heart. From leather crafters and nursery owners to bakers, artists, guides, and hoteliers, these remarkable women have turned ordinary roadside stops into destinations worth writing home about.
This Women’s Month, instead of simply telling you where to stop, we’d like to introduce you to the women you’ll meet when you get there.
Christa Stadler: Traditional leather craftsmanship
Every road trip deserves a souvenir you’ll still be using years later. Christa makes exactly those kinds of keepsakes.
At Boertjie Kalahari Kontreij Winkel in Upington, she handcrafts beautiful leather veldskoene, handbags, and wallets that improve with age, much like a good bottle of Northern Cape wine.
Named after her beloved dog, Boertjie, the shop is packed with local treasures, but it’s Christa’s passion for traditional craftsmanship that keeps travellers lingering a little longer.
Contact: 078 948 2346
Marlies Louw: A family-friendly farm stall
Some people leave corporate life for early retirement. Marlies left hers to create one of the happiest roadside stops in the Northern Cape.
Stop 22 Padstal is where children disappear into a giant playground, parents suddenly decide they’re not in a rush anymore, and everyone somehow ends up ordering homemade gelato.
Her philosophy is beautifully simple: road trips should include laughter, good food, and a reason to stay longer than planned.
Contact: 084 041 4491
Trudie de Wet: Food and accommodation on the farm
If farm stalls handed out awards for making visitors feel at home, Trudie would need a bigger trophy cabinet.
She transformed her family’s century-old farmhouse into Akkerboom Plaasstal, where homemade roosterkoek, warm meals, and genuine country hospitality make “just a quick stop” almost impossible.
If you somehow manage to leave without dessert, you’ve shown more willpower than we did. And if you’re looking for somewhere to stay, don’t miss her nearby De Akker Cottages. Beautifully decorated with country flair, the self-catering accommodation is reason enough to extend your visit.
Contact: 082 534 7433
Sonette and Griet: Keeping local traditions alive
Just outside Augrabies Falls, Sonette keeps the nursery flourishing while Griet ensures the aroma of freshly baked roosterkoek drifts across the garden.
Between the towering fig tree, indigenous plants, and coffee that seems to taste better under Northern Cape skies, Jaap se Tuin is exactly the kind of place where half an hour mysteriously turns into two.
Contact: 063 697 7016
Clarissa Damara: Helping visitors explore Riemvasmaak
Every great adventure needs someone who knows the way. For Riemvasmaak, that person is Clarissa. After nearly two decades of welcoming visitors, she knows the trails, canyons, and hot springs worth exploring.
Spend five minutes chatting to her and you’ll leave convinced you should have booked another night.
Contact: 073 383 8812
Theresia Hampira: Sharing Nama food and heritage
The quickest way to understand a place is often through its cooking. Theresia does exactly that with traditional Nama meals prepared for visitors exploring Riemvasmaak.
Her slow-cooked dishes do more than fill empty stomachs. They tell stories of culture, community, and recipes passed from one generation to the next.
Contact: 073 781 5628
Annemari Papenfus: Colour and character at Die Pienk Padstal
If roadside attractions had personalities, Die Pienk Padstal would be the life of the party. Annemari has filled her famous pink landmark with colour, creativity, and enough quirky treasures to justify rearranging your luggage before heading home.
The padstal has survived floods, changing times, and countless curious travellers, emerging brighter each time.
Contact: 083 381 9272
Marina Bothma: Protecting the region’s quiver trees
If quiver trees could choose a favourite person, it would almost certainly be Marina. For two decades, she has nurtured these iconic desert giants from tiny seedlings while teaching visitors why they’re worth protecting.
Fair warning: popping in Koms Quiver Tree Nursery for “just five minutes” usually turns into an hour of fascinating conversation and, quite possibly, a new plant for the garden.
Contact: 072 374 9432
Philippa van Zyl: Orange River experiences at Khamkirri
At Khamkirri, Philippa and her six dachshunds prove that slowing down is sometimes the greatest luxury of all. Whether you’re rafting on the Orange River, watching the sunset from your cabin, or simply enjoying the silence, she has created a place where adventure and relaxation happily share the same address.
Contact: 084 244 4408
Dr Elmarie de Bruin: Boutique hospitality in the Green Kalahari
African Vineyard Boutique Hotel & Spa is what happens when country charm dresses up for dinner. Dr Elmarie de Bruin has created a destination where vineyard views, exceptional food, and genuine hospitality come together effortlessly. It’s sophisticated without being pretentious, exactly as the Northern Cape prefers it.
The boutique hotel has also become a sought-after wedding destination in the Green Kalahari, where vineyard backdrops and warm hospitality make every celebration feel special.
Contact: 060 503 8449
Sandy Youngkrantz: Guided self-drive tours
Anyone can drive to Augrabies. Sandy from Merrycan Adventures shows you everything you might otherwise pass by. Her guided self-drive tours, complete with two-way radios, transform an ordinary road trip into a rolling masterclass on geology, wildlife, history, and local life.
By the time you reach your destination, you’ll understand the landscape almost as well as she does.
Contact: 084 648 6109
Dorien Botha: Coordinating the Quiver Tree Route
Every memorable road trip has someone quietly making sure everything works behind the scenes. Dorien Botha is that person.
As coordinator of the Quiver Tree Route, she brings together the people, places, and personalities that make this corner of the Northern Cape feel less like a collection of attractions and more like one big welcome.
Contact: 072 735 0180
These women contribute to the Quiver Tree Route through their skills, businesses and knowledge of the Northern Cape.
This Women’s Month offers an opportunity to recognise their work while encouraging travellers to support the people behind each destination.
Milou Staub
inboundsa.com
