Namaqualand

Namaqualand is the coastal strip (approx 100km wide) between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Karoo to the east. To its north is the Orange river and the Namibian border. To its south are the Cedarberg mountains. Namaqualand is a sun-scorched semi-desert for most of the year. But following the winter rains, the vast Sandveld plains are cloaked in the brilliant oranges, purples and yellows of spring flowers such as daisies and vygies. Here are over 3000 different floral species but the most striking are the annuals which germinate quickly after rain. As well as the ‘carpets’ of annuals, there are a huge number of hardier perennials and succulents. We suggest that you head north to Springbok and then meander southwards at a more leisurely place. There are various side roads which are often rewarding for flowers. Visit the Goegap Nature Reserve which is particularly known for its succulents in the Hester Malan Wildflower Garden, as well as a variety of game. Walking trails are available here as well. Goegap features 581 indigenous plant species, including one rare succulent found nowhere else in the world, the bizarrely formed Halfmens or ‘half men’, which look like an armless person hence the name. Another worthwhile stop is the Skilpad Nature Reserve near Kamieskroon with its rich bulb variety and wild geraniums.

Niewoudtville
Between Namaqualand and the Cedarberg Mountains lies the interior uplands around Nieuwoudtville. On the escarpment the rainfall increases dramatically and there are marked changes in geology and soil which supports different flowering species. Visit the  rewarding Nieuwoudtville Wild Flower Reserve and perhaps take a short scenic detour to Nieuwoudtville’s dramatic waterfall. Many flowers, bulbs and orchid species that are not found anywhere else in South Africa can be seen here. The other charming aspect is the number of local farms which open their gates to visitors (usually for a small fee) and allow you to drive all over the farms viewing the flowers – perfect for picnics. Some even also have little farm shops and impromptu coffee shops during the flower season. A very charming way to spend a day…
The Cedarberg
From Nieuwoudtville you travel down the dramatic, if slightly challenging Botterkloof pass and into the Cedarberg region. The Cedarberg mountain range consists of Table Mountain Sandstone, richly coloured by iron oxides and eroded into a variety of curious shapes such as the well-known Wolfberg Arch and the Maltese cross. It rises majestically above the vineyards and citrus groves of the Oliphants River valley. At the foothills of the Cedarberg lies the picturesque town of Clanwilliam and a number of rewarding flower routes such as the splendid Biedouw valley - which can be the highlight of any flower tour in a good year - the Boskloof valley or Nardouwsberg.

A visit to the Ramskop Wild Flower Garden is an absolute must! Ramskop probably has one of the best displays of wild flowers in the country and looks especially fine during the flower season and beyond.

If you pick your dates right, you can also visit the Clanwilliam Flower Show held at the end of August. Every year about 400 species from 32 families are exhibited in their typical setting at the fascinating Clanwilliam Wild Flower show with their botanical names, as well as their very descriptive tongue-twisting local names.

Higher up in the Cedarberg, the protea flowers and other fynbos species are seen later on in the spring with their spectacular large bulbous flowers.

The Sandveld and the West Coast
From the Cedarberg you can head west to the ocean through an area known as the Sandveld.
Then you can continue south along the West Coast via the picturesque fishing villages such as Paternoster to the holiday town of Langebaan and the West Coast National Park. Along this coastal strip, you find the strandveld of salvias and showy daisies.

Within the West Coast National Park lies the Postberg Nature Reserve, which boasts the greatest variety of birds, game and Sandveld flowers in the Western Cape. This special section of the park is only open during August to October and also boasts springbok, wildebeest and bontebok. We recommend visiting during the time of the Darling Flower show held in mid September. The Duckitt Orchid Show runs concurrently with the flower show on a local orchid farm. You can also visit the Tienie Versefld Reserve near Darling which hosts babianas, lachenalias, chincherinchees and sundews.

To book our Wildflower Tour visit our website www.cedarbergtravel.com or e-mail sonja@cedarberg.co.za

 

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