Namaqualand - The Centre of the wild flowers of the Northern

Namaqualand is the home of the Nama tribe who are directly descended from the Khoikhoi bushmen as can be seen from their fine features and pale skin. Their customs and culture were abandoned when the apartheid regime prohibited their language being taught in schools and re-located them to other areas. Their heritage is now returning and traditional dancing and old customs are being reinstated. Their strange multi-clicked language, which is classified by UNESCO as endangered, is being taught again and they hope to add it to the school curriculum.

Namaqualand in the north-west of South Africa is a sunburnt and barren semi-desert. But that changes dramatically in spring, when after a short rainy season the countless wildflowers spread over the wide plains like a colourful carpet. Most of the flowers belong to the different species of daisies.

The spectacular wealth of blossoms can be best admired in the period from August to October. Then the visitors can phone the regional and national "Flower Hotlines" to enquire about quality, size and position of the most beautiful flower regions.

Accommodation in Namaqualand

• Naries Guest Farm 27km outside Springbok offers high quality accommodation and are renowned for our hospitality, personal attention, sumptuous cuisine and breathtaking sundowners from the look-out point.
• Annies Cottage Serene ambience in a lovingly restored colonial home situated at the foot of the ‘koppie’ where South Africa’s first commercial mine was found. During August to October when the Namaqualand flowers go into bloom nothing compares to the beauty of the Namaqualand area.
• Desert Rose Guest House Guest House Accommodation in Springbok Northern Cape. This guest house offers six spacious double rooms, all of which are en-suite with both bath and shower. They do have outside doors to give the client as much comfort and privacy as possible
• Atlantic Gem Self catering accommodation in Port Nolloth. Namaqualand with its flowers, the Richtersveld Desert Mountain wonderland and the Wild unspoiled West Coast are on the doorstep of this fully equipped holiday house overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Immerse yourself in the history of Diamonds and Fishing as you explore the beautiful sheltered bays in the area.
• Namaqua Game Lodge is situated next to the N7 Highway from Cape Town to Windhoek, Namibia, approximately 25km south of Springbok; 520km from Cape Town, 40km from Kamieskroon.

There can be no better place in southern Africa to experience the splendour of nature than in Namaqualand. The area is world renowned for it’s spectacular wild flowers, unparalleled anywhere, and the overwhelming beauty of it’s wilderness areas. Namaqualand offers an opportunity to enjoy country life at it’s best, in an area mostly untouched by the march of time.

Cities / Towns

Aggenys, Alexander Bay, Carolusberg, Concordia, Garies, Henkries, Hondeklip Bay, Kamieskroon, Karkams, Kleinsee / Koiingnaas, Komaggas, Leliefontein, Nababeep, Okiep, Pella, Port Nolloth, Springbok, Steinkopf.

NORTHERN NAMAQUALAND / RICHTERSVELD

An exciting destination on South Africa’s desert coast

Northern Namaqualand’s awesome mountain desert, peaceful river, world renowned wetland and dynamic coast are home to an enormous variety of endemic succulents, carpets of spring flowers, migrant waders and raptors, unmolested seal colonies, rich marine life, diamond and other minerals, fascinating geology, fossils, middens and a fascinating culture dating back to coastal hunter gatherers and Khoisan. Northern Namaqualand lies in the most northwesterly corner of South Africa and comprises the friendly settlements of Steinkopf, Port Nolloth, Alexander Bay, Sanddrift, Kuboes, Eksteenfontein and Lekkersing, as well as the Richtersveld National Park and a wetland of international importance at the mouth of the Orange River, declared a RAMSAR site. This quiet desert wilderness welcomes visitors with comfortable accommodation, community run guest houses and traditional huts, rest camps along the Orange River and organized camping, on a coast few people have been privilege to see, as it lies protected inside a hight security diamond mine. The Northern Namaqualand Tourism Information Centre is based in the seaside mining town of Alexander Bay, at the mouth of the Orange River. Visitors to Alexander Bay can explore the region’s Living Museum, play golf, fish, bird watching, walk, cycle and go on guided diamond, town and farm tours. Northern Namaqualand offers visitors natural history and cultural tours, educational discovery tours for children and eco canoe trails along the Orange River.

4x4 ROUTES IN THE NORTHERN CAPE

4X4 trailing is an exciting, but sometimes hazardous adventure sport. Trail conditions change from season to season as a result of rain and wind erosion. Drivers should obtain up to date information at the starting point to each trail before setting out.

TRAIL / HAZARD RATING EXPLANATION

Trail Rating

1. 4 x 2 vehicles will suffice. Generally only high range gear ratio required.

2. Farm roads with seasonal two track travel. 4 x 4 seldom necessary. Low range gear ratio sometimes required

3. Track only. Surface either rocky or deep sand. 4 x 4 regularly used. Low range gear ratio occasionally required.

4. Track or rough rocky surface with 4 x 4 low range gear ratio sometimes required. Difflock recommended. Steep drops on one or both sides of the track. Experienced drivers.

5. Track or rough rocky surface with 4 x 4 low range gear ratio often essential. Difflock recommended. Special vehicle only, all but impassible. Very experienced drivers only

Hazard Rating

1. Safe going if warnings are heeded. No steep cliffs or deep dongas. There is ample space for manoeuvring the vehicle.

2. Some potential danger for the inexperienced or careless driver. There may be narrow passage ways, some negotiation around blind corners, etc.

3. Mildly dangerous. Careful driving is advisable. Manoeuvrability may be problematic. Danger mainly lies in damaging the vehicle or being stranded without resources. Check with locals on the conditions of the trails before entering the area.

4. Dangerous. The trail may contain steep cliffs, hairpin beds, no space to manoeuvre or turn back. Error may result in personal injury and damages to the vehicle. It is advisable to obtain information about the conditions of the weather and the trail before venturing into it and then to inspect each section on foot before proceeding.

5. Extremely dangerous. An error in judgement will certainly result in disaster. Dangers include extremely rough terrain, as well as potential hazards such as getting lost or stranded without resources.

TRAILS

The Edgerton Trail

Trail Rating – 1 – 3

Hazard Raing – 2 – 3

Tyre Pressure – 2 – 2,5 bar

GPS – 29°39”S 24°20”E

Elevation – 1090 m

Situated on the banks of the Orange River, 60 km south of Kimberley

The Kalahari 4 x 4 Trail

Trail Rating – 4 – 5

Hazard Rating – 3 – 4

Tyre Pressure – 0,8 – 1 bar

GPS – 26°04”S 20°02”E

Elevation – 1074 m

Wedged between Namibia and the Kalahari Gemsbok Park on the farm Pulai. The circular 200 km long trail offers exhilarating dune driving and scenic views of the farm

The Namaqua Trail

Trail Rating – 2 – 3

Hazard Rating – 2

Tyre Pressure – 2,5 bar

GPS (Pelladrift) – 28°58”S 19°11”E

Elevation – 306 m

GPS (Milkwood Tree) – 28°54”S 18°23”E

Elevation – 218 m

GPS (Vioolsdrift) – 28°46”S 17 °37”E

Elevation – 163 m

Starting at the picturesque Pella Mission Station, the Namakwa Route follows the Orange River 642 km to the sea. It offers the 4 x 4 adventure of a lifetime. You’ll cross Namaqualand Brokenveld, False Succulent Karoo, Arid Karoo, Western Mountain Karoo, Succulent Karoo and Sandveld. Over 2 – 8 days and one of the three routes you’ll meet northern Namaqualand’s inhabitants – mostly goatherds living in reed huts following the lifestyles of their forbears. You’ll cross from a summer rainfall into a winter rainfall region and witness magnificent geological formations and changes. Detailed maps and routes descriptions are given on payment for entry. Travelling westward and following the course of the Orange River, the trail can be divided into three sections namely, Pelladrift to Vioolsdrif, Vioolsdrif to the end of the escarpment and Lekkersing to the coast.

The Richtersveld Trail

Trail Rating – 4 – 5

Hazard Rating – 3 – 4

Tyre Pressure – 2 – 2,25 bar

GPS (Sendelingsdrift) – 28°07”S 16°52”E

GPS ( De Hoop) – 28°11”S 17°11”E

GPS (Quiver Tree Kloof) – 28°18”S 17°15”E

Elevation – Varies between 55 m and 600 m

The Riemvasmaak Trails

Trail Rating - 3 – 4

Hazard Rating - 3 – 4

Tyre Pressure - 2 – 2,25 bar

GPS – 28°27”S 20°17”E

Elevation – 660 m

The Banksgate Trail

Trail Rating – 4 – 5

Hazard Rating – 4 – 5

Tyre Pressure – 2 – 2,5 bar

GPS – 32°16”S 21°23”E

Elevation – 1349 m

The trail nestles in the Nuweveld Mountain Range over several farms 51 km from Frasersburg

The Hantam Flower Trails

Trail Rating – 2 – 3

Hazard Rating – 2

Tyre Pressure - 2 – 2,25 bar

GPS (Toekoms) – 31°30”03S 19°26”32E

Elevation – 1184 m

GPS (Lokenburg) – 31°41”03S 19°11”04E

Elevation – 549 m

Accommodation in and around Hartabeestpoort Dam