Vanwyksvlei is a small town situated at the intersection of the R357 and R361 Regional Routes in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.
The town is located approximately 127 km south-west of Prieska and 145 km east of Brandvlei on untarred roads.
Vanwyksvlei falls within Kareeberg Local Municipality and the Pixley ka Seme District Municipality.
Vanwyksvlei was founded in 1881 and named after a farmer called Van Wyk. The Afrikaans suffix vlei, means “pond”, “marsh”, which is quite ironic since this is one of the driest places in South Africa, and the surrounding region is named the Dorsland (Afrikaans for Thirstland).
The town lies close to the Vanwyksvlei Dam, the first state-funded dam in South Africa, built in 1882 and still in use.
Vanwyksvlei later saw action in the Second Boer War where two Victoria Crosses were awarded; Harry Hampton and Henry Knight were awarded the medal for gallant acts.