Namaqualand and West Coast Flower Tour

We leave Cape Town and travel through the Bloubergstrand area, past Melkbosstrand, Atlantis, Mamre and Darling, past Saldanha, which is South Africa’s biggest, deepest and safest harbour. From here we make the short trek to the Triplet-Towns of Velddrift, Port Owen and Laaiplek. These small West Coast towns are known as the bokkom- capital of the world, situated at the estuary of the Berg River. Port Owen has a striking resemblance to Venice, with its streets of water. We continue our route through Dwarskersbos towards the Rocherspan and past Verlorenvlei with its rich diversity bird species before reaching Eland’s Bay. From here we push through the Sandveld and its historic towns Leipoldtville and Graafwater. Finally, we reach Clanwilliam from where it’s a short trip to Vanrhynsdorp, our final destination for the day, where we will spend all of our nights. The Namaqua Lodge in Vanrhynsdorp will be our home from home for the remainder of the tour. Includes: Accommodation, refreshments and dinner.

DAY 2:

Today is most certainly the highlight of the tour. We start the day early with a trip to the Knersvlakte. Even though it might look like nothing grows along the plains, on closer inspection we see a magnificent diversity of dwarf succulents. These tiny plants grow between the white quartz stones and are small enough to miss if you drive in a car yet extraordinary if you stop to look. Next, we move into the Hardeveld with its signature towns Nuwerus and Bitterfontein. After we bid farewell to the Hardeveld we move to the Namaqualand Klipkoppe. This beautiful mountainous region stretches from Garies all the way up to Springbok. On route, we will encounter a ghost town as well as one of Great Britain’s smallest title deed. Our visit will take us to the tiny mining towns of Nababeep, Concordia and Okiep, which was once the richest copper ore mining region in the world. And finally, of course, we get to see Namaqua’s beautiful flowers in full bloom! This promises to be the highlight of the day. If you haven’t been to the Namaqualand Klipkoppe during flower season you haven’t seen flowers yet.

Included: Accommodation, breakfast, refreshments and dinner.

DAY 3:

Today we take a different route through the Knersvlakte. We travel towards the Bokkeveld Mountain range where we will drive up the Vanrhyns Pass. This pass promises some of the most awe-inspiring, breath-taking views of Namaqualand you will ever see. After we reach the summit we head towards Niewoudtville- the bulb capital of the world. Here we will spend the day experiencing everything this little town has to offer. From the spectacular Quiver tree forest to the majestic Nieuwoudtville Waterfall, some one-of-a-kind flower species and finally end the day at the glacier tracks with a small surprise. We will also spend some time at the local Dutch Reformed church. This beautiful sandstone building has a very interesting tale around its founding. The church is most probably the only church with a monument erected for debt. This area also promises some of the most beautiful flower scenery with its farm-style backdrop.

Included: Accommodation, breakfast, refreshments and dinner.

DAY 4:

The final day of our tour takes us through the Olifants River Valley towards Clanwilliam. From here we enter the Pakhuis-Mountains, so named for the way the rocks looks to be stacked on top of each other. We visit the gravesite of the legendary C. Louis Leipoldt where we also see some extremely rare flower species. Next, we travel back to Clanwilliam to visit the Ramskop natural garden on the banks of the Clanwilliam Dam. This garden is incredibly diverse with approximately 350 flower species. We travel through the valley between the Cederberg and Olifants River Mountain ranges up to the Piekenierskloof-pass. Once we traverse the pass we enter the ironically named Swartland with its golden canola fields and green wheat plains. We finally reach Cape Town in what would most undoubtedly be the most soul satisfying, rejuvenating and inspiring experience.

Included: Breakfast and snacks.