Nooitgedacht Glacial Pavements, Glacial formation near Kimberley, South Africa
Nooitgedacht is a glacial formation near Kimberley featuring smooth rock surfaces marked by deep scratches and grooves from ancient ice movement. These striations across the andesite were shaped by glaciers during the Karoo Ice Age and form distinctive geological patterns visible across the site.
Around 290 million years ago during the Palaeozoic era, this region lay near the South Pole and was shaped by massive ice sheets. The glacial activity carved the smooth surfaces and grooves that survive today, recording the climate history of this ancient southern continent.
The smooth andesite surface holds animal figures and geometric patterns carved by San and Khoe peoples around 1,500 years ago. These carvings show how early inhabitants used this place and marked their relationship with it.
The site is reached via the Nooitgedacht turn-off from the R31 road northwest of Kimberley, followed by a drive on gravel tracks. Wear sturdy shoes as the smooth rock surface can be slippery in wet conditions, and allow time to walk slowly and observe the patterns carefully.
The site holds drop stones transported by ancient glaciers that remain scattered across the smooth surfaces, showing the force of ice movement. In 1949 the yellow Venter Diamond weighing 511 carats was discovered here, revealing the area's unique geological treasure.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
