Page 222 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

220  THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN C APE

0 Namaqualand Tour
Keetmanshoop
Namaqualand, an area of about 48,000 sq km
(18,500 sq miles), from the Orange River in the Orange
north to the mouth of the Olifants River in the
south, is a region of sharp contrasts. In spring, this Alexander Vioolsdrif J
scrub-covered, arid land blazes with colour – from Bay
fuch sia pinks to neon yellows and oranges – as a
myriad daisies and flowering succulents open
their petals to the sun. The seeds of the drought- Steinkopf
resistant plants lie dormant in the soil during the
dry months, but if the first rains (usually around
March and April) are good, they burst into bloom
from August to October. Springbok

Kamieskroon
Hondeklip Bay

Groen

6 Namaqua National Park
Lying 17 km (11 miles) west of Kamieskroon, this park has a circular
drive with viewpoints, several short nature trails, picnic sites, and a
SANParks visitor information centre during the spring flowering Olifants
season. The higher rain fall resulting from the park’s proximity to the
West Coast guarantees excellent displays. Bright orange daisies
(Ursinia sp) and gazanias are at their most spectacular here. Doring Bay

1 Tienie Versfeld
Wildflower Reserve Lambert’s
After attending the Bay
Darling wild flower
and orchid shows,
visitors can drive to this
nearby reserve and view St Helena
expanses of wild flowers in their natural Bay
habitat. Namaqualand’s best displays vary
from season to season, depending on the J
rainfall patterns.
Saldanha Langebaan
West Coast
2 Postberg Nature Reserve Key J National Park
Located in the West Coast Tour route Yzerfontein
National Park, this popular Other roads
flower-viewing spot is an easy
day-trip from Cape Town, and Park boundary
visitors are rarely disappointed
by its multicoloured bands of
annuals stretching as far as
the eye can see.

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