Travel to Namaqualand

more southerly areas are generally easier to access

Namaqualand is located in the northwest of South Africa.

This vast, arid area of rocky plains and stark mountains stretches almost 400 km up to the border with Namibia. The area is famed for its fabulous Jun-Oct show of desert wildflowers each spring, peaking in Aug-Sep.

Namaqualand South

The Namaqualand South area covers the part of the region closest to Cape Town and therefore most easily visited by self-drivers who are not also going on north to the Kalahari and/or Namibia.

The town of Vanrhynsdorp is located out on the harsh rocky plains to the east, whilst Nieuwoudtville and Calvinia are higher and better watered. A circuit around both should ensure a good range of flowers in season.

The two most interesting accommodation options in this area are Oudrif and Papkuilsfontein Farm.

Namaqualand North

The Namaqualand North area is relatively little-visited and has fewer decent accommodation options.

At the junction of the N7 and N14 lies the regional capital of Springbok, a good base for various flower areas and more remote coastal regions, where Annie’s Cottage is probably the best option in the town.

Naries Namaqua Retreat lies around 30 km off to the west of Springbok and is the most interesting out-of-town option.

Namaqualand features in trips very rarely, mainly because we do not generally recommend the endless main road traverse between Cape Town and Namibia.

The main reason that we do include nights here is for guests who are specifically interested in experiencing the spring flowers.

just a few decent accommodation options