Namaqualand, one of Africa’s best natural wonders Posted on 17 July 2019 Tags:Garies, Kamieskroon, Namaqualand, Niewoudtville, Olifants River, Orange river, Richtersveld, Springbok, West Coast, wild flowers For nine months of the year Namaqualand is a dry, dusty semi-desert, scattered liberally with granite boulders and largely devoid of colour. But just below the soil lie the seeds of a pageant of colour, awaiting nature’s signal to burst into riotous fields of blooms. Unbounded wild flowers spill over into towns, along highways and through fields. Image: Getty Images It’s a fickle exhibition, dependent on the timing and volume of winter rain to decide how many and which floral species will poke their heads out. The true brilliance is revealed when you step closer. In the details of those rolling flower beds, you’ll find 3, 000 species of plant, of which half are found only in this region, and 40 ,000 seeds in just one square metre – yes, metre. You’ll also learn that you’re standing in one of South Africa’s three biodiversity hotspots – and be alarmed to learn that 17 per cent of this flora is comprised of threatened species. Namaqualand stretches beyond provincial borders. Two rivers, the Orange and Olifants, act as the markers. The wild daisies pop up in the Richtersveld and Namaqua national parks, Goegap Nature Reserve and Skilpad Wild Flower Reserve. Get up close and personal with the flowers (but don’t squash them!) on scenic drives, walks or mountain biking. When you remember to look up once in a while, scan the skies for raptors or the horizon for gemsbok. Even the antelope tread more lightly here, as if they know something precious is afoot. Plan your trip Need to know The Namaqualand Flower Route starts about five hours away from Cape Town by car; prime season is from roughly mid-July to September. You want to be around Kamieskroon, Garies, Springbok and Nieuwoudtville. Get flower updates on the West Coast Flower Hotline, 063 724 6204, and the Namaqualand Flower Line, 072 760 6019. Stay here Kamieskroon Hotel is close to the Namaqua National Park. Prices range from R550 per person sharing a hotel room and R120 per person sharing a campsite. Call 027 672 1614. Feature image: Getty Images. Related Posts Rahiem Johnson: Why representation in travel matters 27 March 2023 Founded by Rahiem Johnson, Tray Table Seat Back is a Black-owned travel business that aims... read more 7 great spots to picnic near Cape Town 1 November 2022 Looking for somewhere to kick your feet up and embrace the warm days in Cape... read more 6 best beach campsites in SA 14 June 2022 From bucket-and-spade seaside spots to rugged and remote coastal coves, we’ve got your camping weekends covered.... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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