Garies, Namaqualand
To describe Garies as in the middle of nowhere does not do any damage to the reputation of the town (for those who stay here, particularly during the spring flower revolution, will come anyway). The average person after a Namaqualand 'dorp' experience would be forgiven for driving straight through Garies, it appears so unremarkable.
But for all that Garies has some serious pulling power: It is right on the N7 and thus easily serves as a journey breather or 'not-quite-halfway' mark for those on the road between Cape Town and Namibia. It lies in the heart of the Namaqualand and makes an excellent base for those exploring the spring flowers. And rumour has it that Hannie Louw's Tamatie Blatjang (tomato chutney) is worth stopping for alone.
The sheer lavishness of blossoms during spring, after good rains, draw visitors to this part of the Namaqualand from around the world. The Namaqualand Flower Trail Run, a 20km loop on the Roodebergkloof Trail starts just north of Garies, with a rather tough 12km ascent to the summit of the Rooiberg.
If you can, head a little further north on your exploration of the Northern Cape to the Succulent Karoo Knowledge Centre in the town of Kamieskroon. Garies and Kamieskroon lie in the heart of an arid biodiversity hotspot - the succulent Karoo. Over 40% of what you find out here, you will see nowhere else on Earth, and 20% of the succulents are found only in Kamieskroon.
Include Letterklip (alphabet stone), something of a stone fortress used during the South African War. And look out for traditional Nama 'matjiehuise' or domed grass huts, round structures of the Nama people who led a nomadic existence in the hot, dry Northern Cape. Today they are made with more modern materials and include hesian bags, and bit of plastic.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options

Daisy Country Lodge
Daisy Country Lodge offers quality accommodation just 4km outside of the town of Springbok. From this location you can enjoy gorgeous views over ...

Snoek Self Catering
Snoek in McDougalls Bay holiday home offers accommodation for four guests, near Port Nolloth, just 2 kilometers outside the main town. This laid ...

The Beach House Port Nolloth
"Only the beach lies between you and the Atlantic" Port Nolloth is known for its long pristine beaches and its picturesque fishing and diamond ha...

Kleinzee Beach Cottage
Situated in the town of Kleinzee in the Northern Cape, the unit sleeps two adults or a family of four. It has a main bedroom furnished with a do...

Kleinplasie Guesthouse
With 22 luxurious and beautifully furnished chalets / rooms, and luscious gardens, swarming with suikerbekkies, jan frederike, finches, doves and...

Jakkalswater Gasteplaas
Jakkalswater Gasteplaas offers you an ideal stop over in the Northern Cape with a picturesque view from the mountains over the valley below. We a...

Mountain View Guest House
A guest house for the discerning guest who's looking for style, tranquility, luxury, comfort and the renowned hospitality of the Northern Cape fo...

Home Sweet Home
Experience a warm welcome from Home Sweet Home, offering comfortable accommodation in Springbok. Home Sweet Home is an ideal base for those wishi...

Pofadder Inn
Pofadder Inn offers comfortable bed & breakfast accommodation in Pofadder, Northern Cape. The Inn offers accommodation in 25 double rooms each sl...
Things to do in the area

Visit the Skilpad Wild Flower Reserve
The Skilpad Wild Flower Reserve is renowned as one of the prime locations for the annual spring flower displays in Namakwaland from August to Oct...

Silver Sands Trail
Start: Namaqua National Park, HondeklipbaaiFinish: base campDuration: 55 km over five daysFitness: moderateOur tip: enjoy the total lack of cell ...

Hondeklipbaai Beach
Your Northern Cape accommodation is sure to be all about celebrating the untainted beauty of the beaches and fishing villages along this stretch ...
Noteworthy attractions

Richtersveld National Park
The Richtersveld is a unique mountain desert wilderness of great beauty, tucked in the far north-western corner of the Northern Cape in South Afr...

Goegap Nature Reserve
The Goegap Nature Reserve with its granite peaks and sandy plains are dominated by Carolusberg, the highest point in the area. Goegap's wild flow...

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
Inscribed in 2007 as the eighth World Heritage Site in South Africa, the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape is a remarkable mountainou...

Namaqua National Park
Say Namaqua National Park and people immediately think carpets of spring wild flowers. And they would not be wrong - Namaqualand not only has som...

Namaqualand Flower Route
The spring wild flowers are a phenomenon that never ceases to amaze and delight, even for those who live in what is considered South Africa's "ou...

Skilpad Wildflower Reserve
The Skilpad Wildflower Reserve was established by the WWF in 1988 to raise awareness of the floral kingdom of the Namaqualand. Mainly shrubland a...

Akkedis Pass
The Richtersveld is usually described by the adjectives 'rugged', 'desolate' and 'forbidding'. It's a dry, unforgiving landscape that is at once ...

Messelpad Pass
Messelpad Pass lies on the 104 km gravel road between Springbok and Hondeklip Bay in the Northern Cape, one of two passes through the Tigerkloof....

Wildeperdehoek Pass
Almost inextricably linked to Messelpad Pass (the two are part of the 'Copper Route' between Springbok and Hondeklip Bay) Wildeperdehoek Pass is ...
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