The small Northern Cape town of Kakamas is situated about 120 kilometres to the East of Upington on the Orange River and is an ideal stopping off point for anyone planning a visit to the Augrabies Falls National Park. The town is unique in having eleven working water wheels. It is said to have derived its name from the Khoi word gagamas meaning brown, and referring to the brown clay with which the local women daub their faces. The town is set in the fertile valley of the Orange River, and the local farming industry supports vineyards, peaches, cotton and Lucerne.

The Orange River Wine Cellars Co-op was established in Kakamas in 1974 and has grown to become one of the largest wine co-operatives in the world. Grapes are grown along three or four hundred kilometers of the Orange River. Cultivating grapes for raisins began in 1960, and table grapes in 1980. Today the grapes from the region are exported worldwide.