West Coast and Namaqualand

Why not treat yourself to a tour up the West Coast of South Africa and to the beauty that is Namaqualand – a sparsely populated region that is blessed with abundant, natural fauna and flora.

The West Coast is well known for its seafood and the annual floral display of Namaqualand draws visitors from around the world.

In the spring time (late August to early October) the otherwise arid coastal region of South Africa’s north-western territory (Namaqualand ) is transformed into a wonderland of brightly coloured daisies and flowering succulents that stretches as far as the eye can see. When in bloom the flowers that grow naturally in the ‘veld’ (bush) along the West Coast are a sight to behold, and are unique to this area.

Though the floral display might be your motivation to take a trip up the West Coast, there is no ‘best time’ to visit this area. If the sounds of seagulls, fishing and hiking are your idea of a great escape then book a break in any of the towns along this route.

As you head out of Cape Town you can take the R27 along the coast to seaside towns such as Yzerfontein, Langebaan, St Helena Bay, and Veldrif. From the R27 road you can turn inland and head towards the historical towns of Darling (isn’t the name alone just gorgeous?), Riebeek-Kasteel and Hopefield. All of these villages and towns are blessed with a charm and a friendliness of the people that is hard to find elsewhere in the country. The seaside towns are synonymous with fishing and seafood of all varieties; the inland villages with warm hospitality and great food.

You can explore the wanders of the Richtersveld Nature Reserve with its surrealistic ‘Kokerbooms’ (or quiver trees), which look like upside down trees. The indigenous San people would hollow out the fibrous inside of the branches, seal the bottoms, attach a carrying strap and use them as a quiver for the arrows they used for hunting.

Along the West Coast the sky is more often than not a wide, open expanse of blue. In fact, it seems as though it is larger here than anywhere else in South Africa, if that is possible. The sea varies between a calm aquamarine and an angry, restless grey. The landscape is a subdued mixture of browns and greys, except of course when it is transformed into the picture-perfect beauty of the wild flower season.