Special Report: Namaqualand Flower Report, 14 July 2006
17 July 2006
A report on sights of flowers blooming in the Namaqualand Region. |
Richtersveld National Park and Richtersveld:
The Richtersveld is in full bloom and in many areas is one mass of flowers. I visited the Lekkersing area two weeks ago and found the area surrounding Kalkfontein Guest Farm (some 15km east of Lekkersing on the Eksteenfontein road) covered with “Dassiegousblom” (Osteospermum amplecteus), “Skaapbos” (Osteospermum sinuatum), white and blue “Sporrie” (Heliophila) and in the Sandveld dune valleys found beautiful white “Gousblomme” (Arctotis merxmuelleri), “Skaapbos” amongst others. I have recently had a report that in the central and northern parts of the Richtersveld that the flowers are magnificent. I look forward to a report from the RNP to confirm this and with as much detail as possible.
Kalkfontein/Lekkersing – Patrick reports:
The flowers in this area of the Richtersveld are currently at their best especially in the Kalkfontein area with the most unusual stuck away in the rock crags and hidden valleys of this area. The area is covered with Namaqualand daisies, sporrie, skaapbos and many mesembs that are already in flower.
For more information contact: Patrick Ford, Kalkfontein Guest Farm, Mobile 073 183 5376
Port Nolloth/Steinkopf – Conrad reports:
For the first time in many years we really have flowers to brag about on the mentioned route. Along the road you will already see lots of orange, yellow, white and purple flowers. If you go on the Eksteenfontein/ Lekkersing route from Port Nolloth you also sea blue and peach flowers. There are young plants that are not fully grown yet and still have to bloom. On the road between Port Nolloth and Mc Dougall’s bay there are a lot of yellow flowers (skaapbos). At the Willem Koegelenberg Park in Port Nolloth are nice examples of Namaqualand Flowers.
Port Nolloth and the Richtersveld is definitely a must see on the flower exhibition list. Local farmers even have marked flower routes on their farms and will be glad to show of our beautiful flower display. It is important for tourists to know that Namaqualand does not stop at Springbok and that our area , especially the Richtersveld is as beautiful, and I don't mean rude to say, I think even more spectacular than any other part of Namaqualand.
We welcome all with open arms!
For more information contact: Alta Kotze & Conrad Mouton at Port Nolloth Municipality Tel: 027 851 8619 Fax: 027 851 1101 e-mail:
alta@richtersveld.gov.za
Alexander Bay:
Alexander Bay is a mining town in the most north western corner of our country, were the Orange River meets the Atlantic Ocean. The mine had its beginning in 1928 when Dr. Hans Merensky laid bare the first big amount of diamonds and it was proclaimed as the Alluvial State Diggings. “I have not seen the veld like this in many years” is the way the start of this years flowering season is described by many locals.
Good and continuing coming rains have transformed the moonscape to a greenish pasture with plants and flowers not seen for some years. As this does not happen very often it is worthwhile to make your trip as far as Alexander Bay and the Richtersveld this year! To see the best you have to do some walking to see the flowers which is mostly close to the ground. So get your knees ready to bend and even bring your magnifying glass with.
You can expect to see yellow carpets of many of the Asteraceae like Pentzia, Cotula and Othonna and then the numerous species of Mesembryanthemaceae (vygies/mesems), Pelargonium, Sarcocaulon (Bushmans candel), Stapelia and Euphorbia. A visit to the Orange River estuary is always rewarding especially this year. Good rundowns of water flooded most parts of the floodplain after the rehabilitation project started.
Many seedlings are popping out where it once was too salty. The ever beautiful and amazing lichen hill, the only of its kind in the country, is yours to visit. Take a local guide to show you the best places!
For information contact Helené Mostert, Alexander Bay Museum; Cell 084 513 0871; E-mail:
museum@alexkor.co.za
Kleinzee/Koingnaas – Priscilla reports:
The veld is beautiful covered in yellow like the “muishondbos, “rapysbos”. “sierang” and “aandblom” Lots of “perdeblom and “gousblom”.
White and blue sporrie as well as the vygies in different colours like orange, red, yellow and purple.
In the area between Kleinzee/ Koingnaas and the farm areas like Steenvlei and Rooivlei you will find The “roosmaryn bos”, “vyebos”, “skaapbos” and sporries.
For information contact: Priscilla Smit (Acting), Diamond Coast - Forever Namaqualand, Tel: +27 (0)27 - 807 2999, E-mail
nmtourism@debeersgroup.com or visit www.coastofdiamonds.co.za
If you would like to visit Kleinzee, security clearances must be arranged 5 working days prior to visit at the above number.
Hondeklip Bay – Daisy reports:
1. South of Hondeklip Bay into the proposed Groen-Spoeg Coastal Park
What a sight – most of the shrubs (Skaapbosse and Ossierapuise) are already in full bloom. Patches of Gorterias (Hongerblommetjies) starting to appear. Strangely the trusty Perdeblomme, usually first to appear and the most hardy, are still scarce. Lots of Wit-Soê in patches and more appearing daily. The beautiful and dainty Drumsticks, a favorite of mine, seems to be especially prevalent and abundant this year.
2. Wildepaardehoek and Messelpad Passes
About 19 km south of Springbok, along the N7, take the Hondeklipbaai turnoff. Unfortunately the road surface is not too good BUT do not let it deter you in the least. The spectacular vista and colorful display will make up for it. Deflate your tires, pack a picnic basket, charge the camera and make a daytrip out of it. Indeed worth the effort.
For information contact, Elize Hough, Tel: 027 692 3041, or visit
http://www.hondeklip.co.za, http://www.hondeklipbay.co.za and
http://south-north.co.za/flowers/
Springbok & environs – Norman reports:
Goegap Nature Reserve should start flowering in about two weeks time (mid July to end July) depending very much on the weather and after the very good rains to date we are expecting an early but bumper flower season. In Springbok itself the “Dassiegousblom” (Osteospermum hyoseroides) are already in bloom with many bright yellow “Skaapbos” bushes (Osteospermum sinuatum) in full bloom dotting the country side.
In the Schaap River valley the “Meidestert” (Lapeirousia silenoides) are in full bloom with the bright yellow “Skaapbos” dotting the hill sides. Currently the Narap valley (between Concordia & Okiep) is in fully bloom with white sporrie, Namaqualand daisies and hongerblomme.
In the farmlands of Modderfontein between Nababeep and Springbok sporrie and Namaqualand daisies are blooming. Currently one of the best spots to view flowers is on the private nature reserve of Klipdam between Nababeep and Okiep. This was once the Okiep Copper Company golf course and the old fairways are covered with orange daisies as well as other areas on the reserve between the hills and valleys.
The reserve is open over week ends and the owner Dr Vic Vaughan will gladly allow one to wander through the reserve for a small entrance fee.
For information contact Namakwa Tourism Information Centre:
Tel: 027 718 2985/6 or
tourismsbk@namakwa-dm.co.za
Namaqua National Park & Kamieskroon
We have had 260mm rain to date in the Namaqua National Park. Lots of Daisies, Pietsnotte, Gousblomme (Calendulas), Sporries and purple vygies already in bloom. The Sporries are especially abundant at the moment.
Priscilla Magerman, Namaqua National Park, Tel: 027 672 1948, e-mail:
priscillam@sanparks.org
Bitterfontein – Malinda reports:
Vanrhynsdorp – Vredendal
Right after Vanrhynsdorp, for the first 2 kilometres, big patches of yellow oxalis and further along the way, lilac felicias, cerise mesembs and even the odd bright orange daisy.
Vanrhynsdorp – Bitterfontein
Lots of low-growing purple mesembs flowering, opening from round about 12 on a sunny day. Just after Vanrhynsdorp on the way to Bitterfontein, a large patch of peach “poublommetjies” (daisies). Yellow oxalis next to the road. Later in the afternoon, at Volmink Berg, about 10 km before Nuwerus, some beautiful yellow mesembs.
Nuwerus to Bitterfontein.
Lots of yellow resin bush flowering (rapuis and ossie-rapuis), also patches of white and yellow nemesias.
Malinda Gardiner, Bitterfontein Information Centre Tel: Tel: 027-6427335, Fax: 027-6427334 e-mail:
hardeveldtour@telkomsa.net
Van Rhynsdorp & Vredendal – Christo reports:
The flowers are beautiful in the Vanrhynsdorp environment. I went to the top of the Maskam and to Gifberg yesterday (9 July). What a wonderland next to the road! I'll report next on it. Including: Klawer, Vredendal, Lutzville, Koekenaap, Ebenhaezer, Papendorp, Strandfontein, Doornbaai, Nuwerus, Bitterfontein, Rietpoort and Kliprand. This area is collectively known as the KNERSVLAKTE BIOREGION.
The Knersvlakte Bioregion is covered with white to dominantly buff and apricot-coloured Karoo daisies ( Osteospermum) locally called “Poublommetjies” most abundant in years just outside Vanrhynsdorp especially on the Urionskraal road to the Ouberg Waterfall and on the R362 (Troe-Troe road) between Klawer and Vredendal. The 125 m waterfall at Ouberg to the south-east of Vanrhynsdorp is flowing at the edge of the Maskam mountain. Forming a spectacular site, it is really worth while to visit also during flower season when the colour of the flowers change from week to week in accordance with rare floral species in bloom decorating this Matzikamma veld with variety.
For information contact Christo Paulsen at the Vanrhynsdorp Gateway:
Tel/fax 0272191552 or
vanrhynsdorp@matzikamamun.coza
Additional comments/serom from “Daisy” of Hondeklip Bay:
Hints and tips on planning your Flower-escapade
- Flowers are best viewed from 11h00 to 15h00 on a sunny day. It is no use whatsoever to set off at sparrow’s fart in the morning!
Most flowers will only open at temperatures of 17 °C or higher. If it is a cold, overcast or rainy day, they will not open at all.
- Allow for extra traveling time.
Do not plan your trip according to the distance in kilometres. Always ask a local person how long it will take you to reach a certain place then add a couple of hours “viewing” time.
- Travel with the sun behind you.
The flowers love the sun so much they cannot stop looking at it!
- Stop frequently.
Get out of the vehicle and take leisurely walks in the veldt (yes, you can still do it safely here in Namaqualand). Most of the flowers are so tiny that you won’t be able to see and appreciate them from a moving vehicle. Anyway, most of those “fields of daisies” only occur in soil disturbed by man or animals and is in reality quite unnatural.
- Always have extra drinking water and refreshments in the vehicle.
The towns in Namaqualand are few and far in between. Cell phone reception is only available in nearby or some towns. Always a good idea to pack an “on the go lunch” unless, of course, you are visiting Hondeklip Bay where you will find the famous annual Honnehok Tea Garden and their equally famous Fish and Chips on the menu!
- If you are in a town, re-fuel. Also, have a good map on hand and if possible, ask for the best and most scenic route to your destination. The towns in Namaqualand are few and far in between. The Namaqualanders are friendly, helpful and always knowledgeable about the whereabouts of the best flowers. In closing I would suggest that tourists not only view the flowers from their motor vehicles, but get out and walk into the surrounding veld and explore the area looking for the hidden treasures amongst the fields of flowers.
Lastly, please do not pick our flowers as we need the seeds for next season and DO NOT TAKE PLANTS FROM THE VELD as this is a very unique and rare heritage belonging to Namaqualand and its peoples.
This flower report was compiled by Norman Featherstone, Koperberg Tours and Safaris, Namaqualand. Email: koperberg@mweb.co.za
