If you’re keen on checking out the wild flowers in the Northern Cape this spring, we’ve got all the information you need. As of late July, parts of the Northern Cape have been dotted with orange daisies, yellow pietsnot, purple and yellow vygies and white sporie but there are plenty of towns for travellers to visit while they enjoy the warmer weather and colourful, flower patchwork surroundings.
Springbok, Okiep, Nababeep, Concordia and Kamieskroon are all top destinations for viewing the famous blooms and the Namaqua National Park near Kamieskroon is also a flower destination to include on your itinerary for every flower season. (You can book accommodation in Kamieskroon here.) The Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok reopened to day visitors this August and is definitely worth a visit while you’re in the area (read: 20 favourite lesser-known parks and reserves).
The mountains are green and the smell of wild flowers lingers in the air so birders should pack their binoculars and bird books, as many feathered species come out to play round this time of year. Travellers staying over in some of the quaint towns along the flower route should pack warm clothes as the evening temperatures can drop to near-freezing. If the Northern Cape is a bit far for you, you can find the guide for seeing the flowers in the West Coast National Park here.
Where to view flowers
- Along the N14 outside of Springbok
- Springbok town centre
- On the road between Komoggas and Maatjiesklloof near the Naries Retreat
- Okiep town centre
- On the road to Port Nolloth
- Handjieskraal near Kharkas
- Groot Hoog along the road between Okiep and Concordia
- Road between Springbok and Bergson
- Namaqua National Park
- Noheep farm near Kamieskroon
Tips for viewing flowers
- The flowers are open between 11am and 3pm
- The sun must be out for flowers to open
- The day temperature must be at least 18 degrees
- Flowers will not open on rainy or overcast days (check out these 9 things to do on a cloudy day in Namaqualand)
Namaqua/West Coast maps are available at all tourism offices. Travellers can phone the Namakwa flowerline 7 days a week on 079 2947260 from 8am to 8pm from 1 August to 1 October 2013.
For ideas on where to stay and places to visit while you’re in the area, check out the Karoo Highlands, the Kamiesberg and the Richtersveld Routes.
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