Namaqualand

Imagine spending days walking among blooming flowers for as far as the eye can see. At night, your multicoloured floral views are exchanged for an incredible display of stars, thanks to low light pollution in this glorious natural environment. This is Namaqualand, a semi-desert region of South Africa that sprawls across the Northern Cape and is famous for its display of wildflowers during spring.

Must-Visit Areas in Namaqualand

Namaqualand boasts a rich floral biodiversity – over 1,000 of its plant species are found nowhere else on earth. Nature lovers will love the remote beaches and scenic hiking trails in this region. Here are areas not to miss:

The Namakwa Coast: Shipwreck Route

Namaqualand borders the Atlantic Ocean; this rugged coastline is dotted with picturesque beaches, walking trails overlooking the shore, old shipwrecks, and small towns such as Kleinzee. Once a diamond town, Kleinzee is now a must-stop on the ‘shipwreck and daisies route’. While exploring this coast, you’ll come across stunning beaches and bays bordering the carpet of fynbos and flowers.

Goegap Nature Reserve: Wildlife Walks

Located near the Northern Cape town of Springbok, this reserve is known for its herds of springbok and endangered Hartmann’s zebra; it’s one of the best places in Namaqualand to take a walk. There are a variety of hiking trails, from 2 km/1.2 mi to 8 km/5 mi routes. During your expeditions, you’ll walk along paths lined with gorgeous wild flowers and succulents endemic to the area.

Namaqua National Park: Biodiversity Hotspot

Namaqua National Park – a land of quiver trees, granite outcrops, and wildflowers in the spring – offers nature lovers stunning walking paths to explore the wilderness. Birdwatchers, bring your binoculars along; the park is home to incredible bird species, including the cinnamon-breasted warbler, Cape long-billed lark, black-headed canary, Cape bulbul, and black harrier.

When’s the Best Time to Go to Namaqualand?

The Namaqualand flower season begins after the winter rains and at the start of spring before the weather gets too hot. With this in mind, the best time for a Namaqualand holiday is between July and September.

Wildlife Found in Namaqualand

Namaqualand is home to the smallest tortoise in the world: the speckled padloper or speckled Cape tortoise. Keep an eye out for these little residents while you’re on nature walks! If luck is on your side, you may catch a glimpse of an aardwolf or an African wildcat. Small antelope species like the klipspringer can often be seen gambolling around.

A haven for birders, Namaqualand has over 400 bird species to spot. The Verreaux’s eagle, African harrier-hawk, Cape eagle owl, Karoo lark, fairy flycatcher, dusky sunbird, ostrich, black eagle, and ground woodpecker are just some of the birds in this region.

How to Get to Namaqualand

You can begin your wildflower adventure in Springbok. This small Northern Cape town has a domestic airport you can fly into. From here, it’s just around a two-hour road transfer to Namaqualand.