Namaqua National Park

The Namaqua National Park is located in the Northern Cape province to the west of Kamieskroon. A park where you undoubtedly immediately think of the wild flower seas that you can admire here a few weeks a year. Namaqualand has the richest variety of succulents (more than 3500!) In the world. Most of the year, Namaqualand is a semi-desert, a landscape where you can shoot beautiful pictures.

Especially worth seeing in this vast scenic area is the Skilpad Wildflower Reserve, which is part of the Namaqua National Park. This 930 hectare reserve is located 700 m above sea level and as a result absorbs much of the rain that is blown inland from the sea. Even if the surrounding areas do not have a great flower season, it is often spectacular here. Also think of the butterflies, birds and other insects that come with all those beautiful flowers. You can drive a round of 5 km, an entrance fee must be paid at the start of this. The fynbos that grow here are also very beautiful and are a vegetation that is unique in the world.

The park does not only consist of flowers, but you will also find the Quiver-tree, beautiful granite rock formations and a sky that surprises day and night. The park borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Orange River.

Numerous birds of prey use the thermal system to search for prey while circling high above the ground, but you will also find beautifully colored songbirds here. In total there are around 90 species of birds in the park.

Animals that you can see here are: baboons, springboks, leopards, gemsboks, ibexes, jackals, foxes, wild cats, earth wolves and caracal. In addition, there are also many other (smaller) animals that are very interesting such as: dassies, turtles, moles, bats and shrews.

Climate
In Namaqualand the rains fall in the winter (June-August) and the best period for a visit is spring, around August to November. The temperature is also the most pleasant during this period. In the winter months the temperature is on average between 7 and 19 ° C, but can also drop to freezing. In the summer the temperatures range from 20 to 42 ° C. The flower season can never be predicted exactly, but in August and September you have the best chance of seeing this spectacle.

General information
– The Skildpad reserve is open the entire flower season between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
– Opening times of the National Park from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., also open to day visitors
– At the moment the park is not really recommended for sedan vehicles, there are not enough roads
that are suitable for this.
– There is no shop, ATM or restaurant, so bring your own food and drinks
– No fuel is available in the park and guests must bring their own firewood when they stay in the park.
– Closest major place is Springbok (87 km)

Activities
– Driving the Caracal Ecotrail (only 4×4 vehicles)
– Routes drive past lookout points during the ‘Wild Flower’ season and visit the information center
– Have a picnic
– Beautiful photography of amphibians, birds, insects and reptiles.
– Enjoy an enchanting starry sky
– Hiking or mountain biking

Conservation Fees: the South African National Park administration has set a daily entrance fee (entrance fee) for all individual SAN parks. If you are going to visit several SAN parks in South Africa then it may be useful to purchase a Wildcard.

Accommodation: Namaqua Flowers Beach Camp, Skilpad Restkamp

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