Namaqua National Park
All-in-One
As if by magic a tapestry of brilliant colours unfold enticingly along the winding roads of the Namaqua National Park. Butterflies, birds and long-tongued flies dart around among the flowers, seemingly overwhelmed by the abundance and diversity. Every turn in the road paints an unforgettable picture: valleys filled with Namaqualand daisies and other spring flowers that pulse with sheer energy and joy. Next to some eye-catching succulents, a porcupine and a tall aloe pay witness to a baboon overturning a rock and pouncing on a scorpion. During early August and September, seemingly overnight, the dusty valleys of Namaqualand are transformed into a wonderland, carpeted with wildflowers. With its winter rainfall, Namaqualand is home to the richest bulb flora of any arid region in the world and more than a 1 000 of its estimated 3 500 plant species are found nowhere else on earth.
Escape to the land of contrasts, where the rigorous climate has created a myriad of life forms superbly adapted to their specific habitat. Fields of flowers, star studded nights, quiver trees, enormous granite outcrops and the icy Atlantic are but a few wonders that await the visitor to what is truly the Creators’ playground.
5 Things To Seek
- Carpets of flower (in season)
- Quiver trees
- Klipspringer
- Black Harrier
- Quartz Patches
Did you know that...
- Namaqua National Park is situated in the world's only arid biodiversity hotspot?
- It is home to the world's smallest tortoise, the Namaqua Speckled Padloper?
- It conserves the world's richest succulent flora?
- It is world renowned for its spectacular spring flower displays?
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Accommodation
Skilpad Rest Camp provides 4 chalets, each with 2 single beds in the bedroom and a ¾-sleeper couch (suitable for 1 adult or 2 children) in the open plan living room / kitchen. A dining area is available on the enclosed veranda and an indoor fireplace and an outside braai area is also provided. The units come equipped with ceiling fans and 220V electricity. One unit (#3) has been adapted for use by guests with challenged mobility. The kitchen is fully equipped with crockery and cutlery, cooking utensils, glassware, a 4-plate stove, microwave, fridge / freezer combo, kettle and toaster.
The Namaqua National Park is situated near Kamieskroon (22km from the Park offices) in the Northern Cape Province and can be contacted on (027) 672-1948.
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Activities
Adventure and Outdoor:
- Circular drive with viewpoints during the spring flowering season.
- Several short nature trails.
- Picnic sites
- A seasonal visitor information centre will be available soon.
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General Information
Travel/How to get there
The topography is characterized by granite outcrops with large round or flat exposed rock separated by sandy alluvial valleys. It is situated some 495 km from Cape Town off the N7 route to Namibia, and 67 km from the town of Springbok in the north. The nearest town is Kamieskroon, which is some 22 km from the reserve and park offices.
The Park gates are open from 08:00 to 17:00. At present the Park has only a limited road network available to sedan vehicles. No shop, restaurant or fuel is available in Namaqua National Park and guests must take along their own firewood.
Climate
Namaqualand falls within the winter rainfall region of South Africa. The highest rainfall period is between June to August. Average winter temperatures vary between 7 degrees and 19 degrees Celsius, while summer temperatures vary between 20 degrees and 32 degrees Celsius.
Day visitors account for all current visitors to the park.
Contact Information
For enquiries e-mail Namaqua National Park or phone us on the following numbers:
Park Tel: +27 (0)27 672 1948
Fax: +27 (0)27 672 1015
Take Note
- Pets are not allowed in a National Park.
- It is an offence to pick flowers or to remove plants or any other material from the park.
- There are limited toilet facilities in the park.
- Vehicle repairs, post office and police services are available at Kamieskroon. Medical services only in Springbok, which is 67 km away.
- Enquiries about this developing park and the Skilpad flower reserve should be made to (027) 672-1948.
Wheelchair Access
With the park’s developmental status, no specific facilities for people with mobility impairment exist. However as the park develops, the needs of people with all forms of disability will be considered.
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Birding in Namaqua National Park
Birding in the park can still be explored more. Species to search for include Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Cape Long-billed Lark, Karoo Lark, Black-headed Canary and Cape Bulbul. Black Harriers quarter the ground in search of rodents.
(Compiled by Chris Patton)
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Vegetation
The park has been described as typical Namaqualand broken veld with a great variety of smaller succulents, such as Crassula spp., Adromischus spp., Pelargonium spp., stapeliands and Cotyledon spp., as well as annuals and bulbous plants. It is also described as part of the succulent Karoo biome, dividing the area into the strandveld succulent Karoo, Upland Succulent Karoo, Lowland Succulent Karoo and North-western Mountain Renosterveld (Fynbos Biome). Also see Quartz Patches.
The Namaqualand broken veld merges east into the mountain renosterveld of the hills and mountains of the Kamiesberg Range, part of the fynbos biome. Four of the highest peaks exceed 1 500 m while Rooiberg (south), the highest land surface in Namaqualand, reaches 1 700 m. The Kamiesberg range consists of at least 22 endemic taxa.
Endemics (especially dwarf succulent shrubs) are clustered in broken, rocky habitats rather than sandy or loamy flats. Remaining endemics are likely to be geophyte members of the Iradaceae, Amarylliadaceae and Geraniaceae, also confined to winter rainfall areas. The hills and mountains of the Kamiesberg Range contains 201 endemic centre with 79 endemic species confined to this small area.
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