Namaqualand flowers – finest locations to see blossom

Seeing Namaqualand flowers in the course of the spring is an unmissable expertise. After the wet winter months, the normally arid area alongside the West Coast of South Africa turns into one colourful carpet of untamed flowers with orange, yellow, pink, and purple colours dominating the surroundings. The transformation is unbelievable, particularly if you know the way the realm appears to be like exterior the flower season. Visiting Namaqualand is among the finest issues to do in Cape City in spring.

The street journey alongside the coast of the Atlantic Ocean remains to be a journey off the overwhelmed observe for international vacationers in comparison with the well-known Backyard Route. Touring via Namaqualand in spring, put together to be shocked and see superb issues in probably the most sudden locations. My impression of driving via the realm is the sensation of absolute freedom, the limitless street that may take you so far as you would like. 

Go to Namaqualand with a tour

Greatest time to see Namaqualand flowers

This a part of the nation will get little or no rain all year long apart from July and August. After the winter rains, in early spring the realm transforms fully. Often, the desert-like Namaqualand area turns into a colourful carpet of flowers. When you possibly can see lots of of hundreds of yellow and orange daisies protecting the coast of Southern Africa. And you may take pleasure in spectacular ocean views with the clear skies on this floral wonderland.

Definitely, the late winter and spring months of August and September are one of the best time to see wildflowers in Namaqualand. The flowering season varies just a little bit between the northern and southern elements of the coast; within the north close to Springbok early August is one of the best time for seeing spring flowers, and within the south between Langebaan and Lamberts Bay you’ve gotten one of the best probability to see flowers in late August and September. It’d change from yr to yr some years after a dry winter there is perhaps not as many flowers as after a number of months of winter rains. If it rains all through September lots there is perhaps not many flowers. 

While you plan your journey it’s vital to keep in mind that for those who go to Namaqualand on a wet day you gained’t see many flowers, their petals can be closed. A heat and sunny day is one of the best for observing the flowers test the climate forecast earlier than heading there.

For those who reside in Cape City it’s not an issue as quickly as you begin seeing flower photographs on social media, it’s the suitable time. For those who come from far I’d suggest planning your journey to see Namaqualand flowers for the primary half of September.

For those who reside in Cape City it’s not an issue as quickly as you begin seeing flower photographs on social media, it’s the suitable time. For those who come from far I’d suggest planning your journey to see Namaqualand flowers for the primary half of September.

There are lots of unbelievable locations to go to in Cape City itself for those who’re a vacationer be sure that to not miss the principle metropolis points of interest.

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Greatest locations to see Namaqualand flowers

You possibly can see the fields of flowers driving via Namaqualand however sure locations provide one of the best flower fields sighting within the area. 

West Coast Nationwide Park

• Nearest city – Langebaan, Western Cape
• Distance from Cape City – 110 km
• Driving time – 1h30min.
• Peak season – September
• Admission charge – R80 – adults, R45 – youngsters

Moreover the beautiful surroundings, the park affords various out of doors actions for the entire household. The wonderful thing about the park is that it’s positioned simply 1-hour drive from Cape City. This park might be one of the best (the closest) place to go to it as a day journey from Mom Metropolis. 

Biedouw Valley

• Nearest city – Clanwilliam, Western Cape
• Distance from Cape City – 300 km
• Driving time – 3h15min.
• Peak season – second half of August – mid-September

A spectacular valley to see in the course of the flower season. It’s fairly a drive from Cape City however for those who begin actually early you can also make it to and again in sooner or later.

Nieuwoudtville 

• Nearest city – Vredendal 
• Distance from Cape City – 350 km
• Driving time – 3h40min.
• Peak season – mid-August – starting of September

There are a number of locations round Nieuwoudtville the place you possibly can see flowers; Hantam Nationwide Botanical Backyard, Matjiesfontein Flower Route, Papkuilsfontein Flower Route, and Rondekop Route. One can spend the entire day driving round and having fun with the beautiful great thing about the flower fields.

Namaqualand Nationwide Park

• Nearest city – Springbok, Northern Cape
• Distance from Cape City – 530 km
• Driving time – 5h30min.
• Peak season – August
• Admission charge – R46 – adults, R23 – youngsters

The Namaqua Nationwide Park is among the primary points of interest within the Northern Cape. A go to to the park is the good one to mix with a street journey to Namibia.  To go to it as a weekend journey from Cape City is just not the best choice you’ll find yourself spending extra time driving to and again than having fun with the flowers.

Issues to do in Namaqualand in the course of the flower season

Water actions

Some locations on the West Coast are well-known for being superb spots for working towards water sports activities – Langebaan is one in all them. In summer season this small city is among the finest locations for kitesurfing in Cape City. A whole lot of locals and vacationers from everywhere in the world come right here to surf. Even watching dozens of kites gliding within the sky is spectacular. 

Langebaan is among the finest locations within the nation to be taught to kitesurf. We took our first classes right here. It wasn’t straightforward although. Summer season is the windiest time right here and in spring in the course of the flower season, there is perhaps no wind in any respect however it’s simply another excuse to come back to the West Coast once more for the December vacation.

For those who’re on the lookout for a winter-spring water exercise within the space head to Elands Bay, among the best browsing spots on this a part of the nation. Not like with kitesurfing browsing circumstances in winter are one of the best. You possibly can keep in Elands Bay for a few days and in between browsing classes drive across the fields of flowers.

The marine lifetime of the West Coast is actually spectacular you possibly can see dolphins, whales, seals, penguins, and so on. Our favourite place to exit with a ship for recognizing animals and birds is round St.Helena Bay. In a few hours out in a ship, we noticed many dolphins, seals, a whale, lots of of birds, and even a few Sunfish that have been floating round our boat near the floor for fairly some time. It’s humorous as a result of we went to dive round Bali a few years in the past to see it, did a number of makes an attempt however had solely a quick encounter. 

Kayaking or paddleboarding is one other nice method to take pleasure in the fantastic thing about the coast and see its various marine life. Kayaking in Langebaan Lagoon to Schaapen Island the place you possibly can see loads of sea birds, seals, and rabbits is a superb household exercise. Paternoster is one other excellent spot for sea kayaking. There you possibly can see dolphins, occasional whales, seals, penguins, and plenty of birds. Each cities Langebaan and Paternoster have kayak rental locations.

Mountain climbing & biking

West Coast Nationwide Park in Langebaan might be one of the best place in Namaqualand the place you possibly can benefit from the stunning shoreline and fields lined n flowers whereas mountaineering or biking. There are a number of brief strolling trails between 5 km and 9 km and a few 2-day routes (should be booked upfront). The paths provide spectacular surroundings, particularly in the course of the flower season. 

The gorgeous surroundings is just not the one factor to take pleasure in within the park, in the course of the stroll you possibly can spot animals similar to bat-eared foxes, Elands, rock hyraxes, ostriches, caracals, and plenty of birds. Strolling alongside the coast you may spot dolphins and whales.

There are two lengthy biking routes within the park; a 30-kilometer route and a 70-kilometer loop, each are on a tarred street. For mountain bike lovers there are two trails; 13 km and 17 km. Data on the admission charges and dealing hours you will discover on the official web site.

For those who resolve to discover the inland a part of Namaqualand the Cederberg Mountain space is a tremendous place for out of doors actions similar to mountaineering and mountain biking. The Cederberg Wilderness Space is a incredible place to discover some off-the-beaten-track elements of Namaqualand. There are a number of campsites contained in the reserve in addition to many mountaineering and mountain biking trails.

For those who like mountaineering there are various superb hikes in Cape City with beautiful views that everyone will take pleasure in.

Foodie issues

Seafood and fish on the West Coast is one thing to not miss: recent Saldanha oysters, large crayfish, prawn, mussels, calamari, hake the checklist simply goes on. Paternoster might be one of the best place in Namaqualand to come back for seafood. 

The Noisy Oyster and Voorstrandt are our two favourite eating places right here. Don’t fear for those who’re not a giant seafood lover (like Campbell) each locations have in depth menus with meat and vegetarian dishes. Freshly baked ciabattas, croissants, and sourdough bread are another excuse to cease in Paternoster. Junk & Disorderly cafe-bakery is a superb place to come back for breakfast. They’ve nice espresso as properly (Reality Espresso, a well known Cape City espresso roastery).

Muisbosskerm, an open-air restaurant on the seaside close to Lambert’s Bay is a not-to-miss place on the West Coast. A really cozy place with an ideal number of seafood, grilled, baked, and smoked fish, freshly baked bread, and numerous facet dishes.  It’s a buffet meal that must be booked upfront. 

Namaqualand is just not as well-known for its wine as the Stellenbosch Wine Route however there are wine farms there that produce glorious wine. The Darling Wine Route has a number of stunning farms that provide wine tasting. When you’ve got time on the best way to or again from the coast you possibly can go to a few wine farms and do some tasting.  

Wine farms round Darling are closed on Sundays, and a few are open on Saturdays. Over the weekend Friday afternoon is one of the best time for winetasting there. Beer lovers will take pleasure in Darling Brew the place you possibly can style native craft beer together with non-alcohol beer for designated drivers. The brewery is open Saturdays and Sundays.

Find out how to go to the Namaqualand flower route?

For those who’re native is just not an issue you possibly can simply drive in your automotive. For vacationers renting a automotive is one of the simplest ways to discover Namaqualand. You don’t have to lease a giant jeep a standard sedan can be superb for those who’re going to go to the West Coast Nationwide Park or drive as much as the Cederberg Mountains. If you wish to do some off-road driving a 4×4 is the best way to go.

For those who don’t need to lease a automotive it’s potential to see Namaqualand flowers with a tour from Cape City. For instance, a day journey from Cape City that features an e-bike tour via the West Coast Nationwide Park with a free decide up and drop off at your lodge within the metropolis and a go to to a personal recreation reserve the place you possibly can see African animals.

Namaqualand flowers – the coastal route itinerary

A weekend in Namaqualand in the course of the flower season is a good way to spend a few days with household and associates. We created two itineraries for your weekend getaway in Namaqualand: the Coastal Route and the Cederberg Route. Spending a weekend right here in the course of the flower season is a tremendous expertise however you possibly can go to Namaqualand as a day journey from Cape City. On this case, the West Coast Nationwide Park is one of the best place to come back for a day to see wildflowers.

We’d counsel beginning the journey on Friday and spending two nights on the West Coast this manner you’ll have two full days to discover the realm. Fortunately, the R27 street out of Cape City alongside the West Coast is by far not as busy and loopy because the N1, N2, or N7 on Friday night. When you’re previous Desk View you’ll hardly see any site visitors.

Day 1. Cape City – Langebaan/Paternoster

For those who begin driving early sufficient you may make it in time for the sundown in Langebaan. In August – September the sundown is between 6 pm and 6.30 pm. After the sundown, take pleasure in dinner with recent seafood or fish and native wine. 

Locations to remain in Langebaan

Locations to remain in Paternoster

Day 2. Exploring the Coastal Flower Route

Begin your day with breakfast and occasional at one of many native eating places. In Langebaan, we are able to counsel Pearly’s Restaurant on the waterfront. Junk and Disorderly Bakery is a superb breakfast place in Paternoster.

After breakfast, you possibly can spend a while on the seaside earlier than heading to West Coast Nationwide Park which is only a couple kilometers away. Late morning – afternoon, between 1 am and 4 pm, is one of the best time for watching the flowers. On the entrance gate, there is perhaps a queue of vehicles you need to be ready to spend a while ready to get in. There are a number of brief mountaineering trails contained in the park you could observe. Strolling throughout the fields is one of the simplest ways to benefit from the flowers. You possibly can spend a few hours within the park.

Within the afternoon spend a while exploring the West Coast, and drive to Jacobsbaai, Paternoster, and Cape Columbine Nature Reserve. At some locations alongside the best way, you possibly can see extra flowers. For those who journey with youngsters be sure that to cease at The Pixie and Fairy Village in Jacobsbaai. It’s a magical place! Open day by day from 8 am to six pm, admission charge – 20-30R.

Paternoster is a superb place to cease for lunch, it has among the finest seafood and fish eating places within the space. We will suggest The Noisy Oyster and Voorstrandt. For a tasty wood-fired pizza with nice views go to Blikkie Pizzeria in Paternoster.

Within the night take pleasure in a braai with a few glasses of wine. For those who’re planning to braai be sure that your guesthouse has a braai place (for those who camp you’ll positively have one). What sort of weekend is it and not using a conventional South African braai!?

Day 3. Langebaan/Paternoster – Darling – Cape City

Have breakfast with the ocean view at one of many eating places. For those who like beer and burgers on the best way again to Cape City drive via Darling. It’s a fast detour from the route. Darling Brew is a superb place to cease. There you possibly can mix beer tasting with a scrumptious meal. The brewery has a jungle gymnasium for teenagers and permits well-behaved canine. 

In spring the fields across the city are lined in flowers. Regionally brewed beer, nice meals, and fields of flowers – the proper method to end your Namaqualand weekend. There are a few wine farms within the space that do tasting however they’re closed on Sundays and a few on Saturdays as properly. 

Namaqualand flowers – the Cederberg route itinerary

For those who don’t fear an excessive amount of about being near the ocean and reasonably need to skip seasonal crowds within the West Coast Nationwide Park I’d suggest going to the Cederberg Mountains. It’s a extra off-the-beaten-track vacation spot with fewer folks that has a few superb locations the place you possibly can see hundreds of flowers exterior Nationwide parks and reserves. It’s vital to keep in mind that for those who resolve to take this route it’s higher to go mid-August – starting September to see flowers in Nieuwoudtville and Biedouw Valley. 

Day 1. Cape City – Citrusdal/Clanwilliam

You most likely gained’t have the ability to do a lot at the present time however drive from Cape City to the place you’re going to remain. Whichever place you select, Citrusdal or Clanwilliam each have good indoor locations to remain and superb campsites. 

Locations to remain in Citrusdal

Locations to remain in Clanwillian

Day 2. Citrusdal/Clanwilliam – Nieuwoudtville – Biedouw Valley – Citrusdal/Clanwilliam

Go for breakfast at one of many native eating places. In Citrusdal we are able to suggest The Grapevine Espresso Store, it’s a small however cozy place that serves scrumptious breakfasts, espresso, and Rooibos tea. The realm round Clanwilliam is legendary for its Rooibos tea, don’t be shocked to see many tearooms there. 

For those who keep in Citrusdal to go to each locations you’ll should drive about 400 km which can take you just about the entire day together with stops for photographs and lunch. From Clanwilliam, the gap is shorter, about 300 km. 

For those who resolve to go to each Nieuwoudtville and Biedouw Valley I’d counsel ranging from Nieuwoudtville there’s a couple of place there to see the flowers. For those who don’t have sufficient time to go to Biedouw Valley ultimately you possibly can all the time drive there the following day earlier than you head again to Cape City.

Day 3. Citrusdal/Clanwilliam – Riebek Casteel – Cape City

On the best way again to Cape City you are able to do a brief detour to Riebek Casteel, an enthralling city with a few good eating places the place you possibly can cease for breakfast. We will suggest Beans About Espresso, a comfortable cafe-roastery. They’ve nice espresso (that they roast themselves), tasty breakfast, and scrumptious desserts. A few native farms are open on Sundays (Meerhof Wines, Riebeek Valley Wine & Co, Riebeek Cellars) for testing after breakfast you possibly can go to a few of them and take a look at native wines.

When you’ve got an extended vacation you possibly can prolong your street journey and discover extra of the Northern Cape. This fashion you possibly can mix the flower season in Namaqualand with a go to to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. August-September is one of the best time for safari drives there. 

Namaqualand flowers – helpful Apps

• Maps.me for iPhone and Android – an offline map, you obtain a map for a rustic and use it offline for navigation.
• iOverlander for iPhone and Android – works offline, and reveals campsites in any chosen space, we used it lots in Namibia.
• WestCoastWay is an app for iPhone and Android with loads of information on the West Coast.

The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, liable for all our land adventures (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack reasonably than to do a ten 000 km street journey (really any street journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.