South Africa Western Cape Clanwilliam Oliphants River Valley Sevilla Rock Art Trail
Stories and photos by Elsa Dixon (unless otherwise indicated)
Colorful Namaqualand in Coastal South Africa
Between Baronial and October, Namaqualand, on the West Coast of Southward Africa, transforms its semi-desert landscape into a brightly colored mosaic of wildflowers. Namaqualand rolls out a riotous mix of colors, roofing the fields, filling every nook and cranny, stretching as far as the eye can come across. Allow at least v to six days to revel in this wonder of nature, equally well as explore what the W Coast has to offer.
Rock Paintings at Citrusdal
Take the N7 from Greatcoat Town to run across the wildflowers, driving through wheatfields and orangish orchards and rural towns like Malmesbury, Moorreesburg, and Piketberg. Stop at Citrusdal, an easy two-60 minutes drive on the N7 from Greatcoat Boondocks. Citrusdal, with its thriving citrus fruit farming industry, lies at the foot of the Cederberg mountains in the Olifants River Valley in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Ask at the Information Center for information on Stone fine art sites in the expanse.
Ramskop Wildflower Garden At Clanwilliam
The N7 is in fantabulous status, and every bit we progressed, the fields along the road turned into carpets of wildflowers. We stopped atRamskop Wildflower Garden well-nigh another minor town, Clanwilliam, in the Olifants River valley of the Western Cape. We wandered upwards and down the loma forth the winding paths, admiring the vivid, colorful displays of a broad variety of flora and enjoying the birds and small creatures in the bushes and among the plants.
Every bit we rounded yet another corner of the Garden, the Cederberg mountains and the Clanwilliam dam came into view. The bright blueish stretch of water fabricated an excellent properties for the profusion of wildflowers.
Clanwilliam
Clanwilliam is 1 of the ten oldest towns in the country, rich in cultural and historical heritage. The Dutch Reformed Church, completed about 1864 and situated on Main Street, is a stunning, whitewashed building with a beautiful Cape Dutch gable. Carl Otto Hager, a well-known architect, designed and supervised this neo-Gothic way church. The majority of Afrikaans-speaking people in South Africa belong to the Dutch Reformed Church building. During the Blossom Season, visitors savor the displays of local flowers in this historic edifice.
Rooibos Tea Factory, Clanwilliam
Clanwilliam is also the heart of the Rooibos tea expanse, the merely place in the earth where it grows. Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) means 'ruby-red bush,' and information technology flourishes in a 'fynbos' (fine-leaved bush) surroundings. 'Fynbos' is a distinctive type of vegetation found merely on the southern tip of Africa. South Africans have prepared herbal tea from the leaves of this plant for many years. During the last decade, people from other parts of the earth accept get enlightened of its benign backdrop and Clanwilliam now processes, pack and market the redbush tea.
Van Rhyn Guest House
We chose to stay at the Van Rhyn Guest House, an old Victorian business firm built in 1902, where Herbert and Terence warmly welcomed us.Vanrhynsdorp is close to a few small towns, floral routes, and other attractions. Our hosts provided a delicious home-cooked dinner around a large table where we mixed with other guests and shared our wildflower experiences.
ZAR (Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek) Restaurant
We had heard almost the nearby ZAR (Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek) eating place with an Anglo-Boer war theme, situated in the caravan park on the border of the town. We were a little skeptical but decided to exist audacious. We were pleasantly surprised. The extensive carte consisted of exotic and unusual but very palatable dishes, such every bit rump steak covered with snails and cheese sauce. The managing director poured each of united states of america a very generous drinking glass of Pinotage, a uniquely South African grape variety. In this case, the red wine came from the Klawer winery on the Due west coast.
A tip: Since the demand for accommodation is loftier during the bloom season, it is necessary to book in accelerate. Although these small towns seem somewhat neglected, there are splendid guesthouses, farm stays, and self-catering places.
Knersvlakte, a Barren, Desolate Region of South Africa
A local friend directed us to a expert location for having a close look at the barren Knersvlakte, a desolate region of hilly terrain covered with quartz gravel. The word 'Knersvlakte' literally ways 'grinding flat area' and refers to the quartz gravel'southward grinding sound when walked upon. We were amazed to run into this desolate land, comprised of white pebbles thrown up from the ocean floor many, many years ago.
A tip: The local people who are proud of their wildflowers will happily share recommendations of excellent viewing spots, often off the beaten rails.
The Knersvlakte, which falls within the Delicious Karoo region, is considered one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. We tread advisedly on the ground considering, at intervals, delicate, minor succulents suddenly appeared in the cracks. These rare dwarf plants have adapted to survive in this hot arid climate.
Quiver-Tree Wood – A Globe Of Ancient Aloes
We were keen to encounter the sizeable quiver-tree forest. Nosotros collection to Loeriesfontein via the Van Rhyn'southward Pass and Nieuwoudtville to encounter this stunning sight. On the way, nosotros saw a pair of ostriches and flocks of blue cranes (South Africa'south National Bird) and sacred ibises.
Quiver copse are a kind of aloe (Aloe Dichotoma) with branches that split into smaller sections. The spiky leaves have adapted to the extreme rut. In former years, hunter-gatherers hollowed these branches and made quivers from them, hence the name quiver-trees.
We enjoyed a quiet cup of tea from our flask while we sat on a wall around a massive old windpump in the solitude of the barren landscape.
Matjiesfontein Flower Subcontract and Farm Stall
We paid a small-scale entrance fee to drive the stunning bloom route atMatjiesfonteinBlossom Farm andFarm Stall.We bought a few souvenirs at the gift store in the old stone building and enjoyed a refreshing drink at the restaurant renowned for its traditional 'boerekos' (farmers' food), like tripe and stews.
Nieuwoudtville, known as the 'Seedling Capital of the Earth', boasts a profusion of flowering bulbs and the land's largest succulent nursery. We turned off on a state road to view the beautiful cascading waterfall.
Feeling a little peckish, we stopped at the stalls of local products at the leave. Supporting local enterprise similar this is a fun way of getting a real taste of regional food and delicacies. Nosotros opted for a fresh, warm 'skuinskoek' (diagonal cake,) a cross between a donut and a vetkoek (fatty block), and a curried vetkoek.
Kamieskroon and Namaqua National Park
We turned off on a gravel route towards Hondeklipbaai, and following the Wallekraal Route, we headed back towards Kamieskroon. Two mountain passes lay ahead: the Killian and Grootvlei, each with dirt roads winding circular increasingly steep curves, ascending and and so descending. Nosotros saw beautiful rocky mountains and extended open vistas covered with wildflowers.
We finally came upon the piddling town of Kamieskroon, shut to theNamaqua National Park, with more than than 620 square miles of vivid carpets of color.
Skilpad Flower Reserve
Namaqua National Park incorporates theSkilpad Flower Reserve, open up only during Baronial and September. We followed the circular bulldoze, pulling off the road to explore a short walking trail, hoping to see the elusive tortoise (skilpad) for which the Reserve is named. Nosotros admired the mode the flowers turned towards the sun. We learned that die-hard wildflower watchers and photographers plan their route according to the path of the sun.
Namaqua Speckled Padloper Tortoise
The Park is home to the world'due south smallest tortoise, the Namaqua Speckled Padloper or the Speckled Greatcoat tortoise (family Testudinidae), owned to South Africa. Nosotros did non see information technology while in the Reserve, just we could look at it in the reception area.
Springbok, The Blossom Majuscule Of Namaqualand
Next, we aimed for Springbok, the bloom capital of Namaqualand. Springbok is also an ideal stopover en route to Namibia. The bonny town lies around a cardinal hill, known by locals equally 'Klipkoppie' (Stone Colina.) During the 2nd Boer War, the Boers used the mount as a fort for its excellent vantage point. It isn't like shooting fish in a barrel to describe the feeling of wonder when one drives through miles and miles of fields of brilliant orange and yellow wildflowers.
The Goegap (Guchab) Nature Reserve and Hester Malan Wild Flower Garden
TheGoegap (Guchab) Nature Reservecontains the Hester Malan Wild FlowerGarden displaying a rock garden and Namakwa succulent plants, neatly organized and labeled in heart-level exhibits.
We drove the 11-mile scenic loop through theGoegap Nature Reserve and were amazed to come across at least 20 gemsbuck (Southward African oryx), a few springbuck, and zebra cavorting amidst the wildflowers.
Useful Information If Y'all Get
Citrusdal Tourism Part (information Rock Paintings)
Telephone: 022 921 3210
East-mail: info@citrusdal.info
Van Rhyn Guest Firm
Van Riebeeck Straat, 8170, Vanrhynsdorp, Southward Africa
Ramskop Wildflower Garden
Accost: 14 Ou Kaapse Rd, Clanwilliam, 8135, Southward Africa
Rooibos Tea Factory (Rooibos Limited)
Address: Rooitee St, Clanwilliam, 8135, South Africa
Phone: +27 27 482 2155
ZAR (Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek) Restaurant
http://www.vanrhynsdorpcaravanpark.co.za/
Caravanspark 8170, Vanrhynsdorp, South Africa
Phone: +27 27 219 128
Matjiesfontein Bloom Farm and Farm Stall
http://world wide web.nieuwoudtville.com/matjiesfontein-subcontract-stall/
Telephone: +27 27 218 133
E-postal service: info@nieuwoudtville.com
Namaqua National Park
Phone: +27 27 672 1948
Hantam National Botanical Gardens
E-mail: Hantam@sanbi.org.za
Elsa Dixon is a freelance travel author, photographer, and author of three instructional music books. Under her maiden proper noun, Elsa van der Byl, she wrote an Afrikaans biography, PIET wat POMPIES was of her father, a famous Southward African comedian and songwriter, and a memoir (currently in the printing), Hippos, Hotspots, and Homelands, both published by MalanMedia. Too teaching piano, Elsa established TravelswithElsa LLC in 2008, taking small groups on tour to different continents during schoolhouse holidays. Her 4 children live in Canada, Switzerland, and the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland. She blogs extensively about her tours and travels on her website https://travelswithelsa.com/.
Source: https://playstayeat.com/namaqualand-wildflower-route-on-the-west-coast-of-south-africa/
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