.....about Namaqualand
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.
Namaqualand in the very north-west of South Africa is part of the Northern Cape province. Its northern boundary, the Orange River, is also the border to the neighbouring country Namibia.
Namaqualand is - due to the low rainfalls of less than 300 millimetres per annum - classified as semi-desert. At the coast it rains even less because of the cold Benguela current that frequently brings dense sea-fogs to this coastal desert region as well as to the Namibian coast.
Those who look for the quiet, wide landscapes and the intense colours of the desert, should not miss a trip through Namaqualand. Particularly enthralling is springtime after the short rainy season, when suddenly the arid land is covered in a lush carpet of wildflowers.
The National Road N7 leads through the province, connecting Cape Town with the Namibian capital of Windhoek. The border posts at the Orange River are near Vioolsdrif on the South African side and in Noordoever on the Namibian side.
Springbok is the capital of Namaqualand. The town takes its name from the large herds of springbok which used to pass through the arid valley to drink water from the spring. The herds were driven away when copper resources were discovered near the small settlement. In the middle of the last century, the area started to be mined, and a railway line to the coast was built for the transport of the ore.
The railway line has been dismantled long ago, but the old steam-engine can still be seen in the mine museum of Nababeep, some kilometres out of Springbok. There one can also visit one of the last remaining working copper mines. Most of the mines in this area were closed down.
Springbok is the centre of the wildflower region, and each year in spring the town experiences a great invasion of tourists. Then the small camping site is booked to the last spot, and the visitors stream into the Goegab Nature Reserve. Even out of season, this nature reserve offers an interesting insight into the unique plant world of Namaqualand.
Vanrhynsdorp - some 300 kilometres north of Cape Town on the N7 - is in administrative terms part of the Western Cape Province. However, geographically, this small town with its 4000 inhabitants belongs to the Namaqualand, Here, the wide open, semi-desert plains of the Nama Karoo start, with its typical vegetation of succulents and a dry, sunny climate. The town is picturesquely positioned in front of the backdrop of the Maskam Mountain. This imposing table mountain is part of the Matzikamma (Matsikama) massif, rising about a thousand metres above the plains.
Like all the places in Namaqualand, Vanrhynsdorp is also a wildflower paradise during the late winter and early spring months. A habitat for a botanical speciality is the so-called "Knersvlakte" north of the town. On these plains which are densely studded with quartz stones, the plant lover can discover a unique variety of miniature succulents only to be found here. The locals call them "baby bums".
Vanrhynsdorp is a calm and quiet place, hardly touched by tourism. The town's atmosphere is defined by a couple of Victorian buildings. Especially interesting is the old prison house, built in 1895 from limestone and clay bricks. Now arts & crafts products are on display and for sale here.
Vanrhynsdorp is a truckstop and overnight halt for long distance traffic off the N7 and the trading centre for the surrounding farms where mainly sheep are bred and Rooibos Tea is produced. And north of town there is a gypsum factory which adds to the prosperity of Vanrhynsdorp.
