Pofadder is a small town situated at the intersection of the N14 National Route and R358 Regional Route in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.
The town’s name is written as “puff adder” in Afrikaans. It is alleged that the town was named after the venomous snake that is common enough in the district. However, some people claim that the town was named after Klaas Pofadder, a local Koranna (Koi-Koi) tribal leader.
Pofadder falls within Khâi-Ma Local Municipality and the Namakwa District Municipality. It is the main town and administrative centre/seat of the Local Municipality.
Despite its small size, Pofadder is an important local centre in the Bushmanland area of South Africa.
Pofadder is located on the N14 national highway from Upington to Springbok and lies 50 km from the Onseepkans border post on the Namibian border, along the R358 road.
Pofadder lies near to the Ritchie Falls, the second highest waterfall on the Orange River, after the Augrabies Falls. Ritchie Falls are in a pristine wilderness area, only accessible after a two-day hike or by rafting down from Onseepkans.