Namaqualand, Northern Cape

Northern Cape Tourist Attractions

Namaqualand, Northern Cape

Once you've booked your hotel or Namaqualand accommodation explore our destination pages below for info on attractions, events and what to do in the Namaqualand Region.

Regarded as a portion of the Succulent Karoo, Namakwa (Namaqualand) forms part of the only arid hotspot in the world; is regarded as a biodiversity hotspot, and as such boasts the richest succulent flora on Earth. It extends from the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast, to the little town of Pofadder in the east, to the Orange River in the north, south to Garies, and includes the Hantam Karoo, along the southern border of the Northern Cape.

The Namaqualand region of the Northern Cape is imbued with the story of the Namaqualand daisies; a brimming over of fertile flowers that transform the almost lifeless Namakwa into an exquisite floral display of beauty during spring. One for which people are more than willing to enter the hinterland of South Africa’s Northern Cape, to discover that the unspoilt vastness of Namaqualand and Hantam Karoo, which make up Namakwa, is far more than an area of sweltering extremes and dry earth under unforgiving skies.

Namakwa is indeed a thirsty earth, but one that is fascinating to travel. For visitors the explosion of wild flowers along the flower route from Springbok’s Goegap Nature Reserve to Kamieskroon’s Skilpad Wild Flower Reserve, is a phenomenon that combines incredible landscapes through remote little towns, like Pofadder, the Richtersveld National Park, the Hester Malan Wild Flower Garden, and the Namaqua National Park. The narrow window between July and September, in which the Namkwa casts off its dowdy desert cloak to transform its barrenness, relies heavily on good rainfall just before spring.

But then the Namakwa is not its flowers alone. Little historic towns that include quaint names like Kamieskroon, Aggeneys, Garies and Nieuwoudtville, are as much a part of the landscape as the incredible flora.

Namakwa

Destinations / Town & Suburbs of Namakwa

Alexander Bay

Where to Stay: Namakwa Accommodation

Alluvial diamonds are mined in Alexander Bay and, as this a high security area, access is limited to permit-holders. The mine offers tours on Thursdays, starting at 08:00. Booking is essential and should be arranged 24 ... Alexander Bay information

Kamieskroon

Where to Stay: Namakwa Accommodation

Kamieskroon is a thriving agricultural centre surrounded by the granite Kamiesberg Mountains. The village is renowned for the variety and wealth of its wild flowers which bloom in spring. There are excellent hiking ... Kamieskroon information

Nababeep

Where to Stay: Namakwa Accommodation

Founded in 1860 by the Cape Copper Company, Nababeep today uses modern copper mining and smelting methods which may be viewed. At the Mining Museum, the history of Namaqualand's mining era is well illustrated by relics ... Nababeep information

Pofadder

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Pofadder

The very little town of Pofadder lies surrounded by rugged, sparsely populated and very scenic countryside. Here locals make their money from sheep or goats farming, and there seems little more to entice you to visit ... Pofadder information

Port Nolloth

Where to Stay: Namakwa Accommodation

The village of Port Nolloth was established in the 1850's as a copper port. Ore was brought to Port Nolloth by rail for shipment overseas until well into the 20th century, but the harbour's narrow, shallow entrance was ... Port Nolloth information

Springbok

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Springbok

The pretty town of Springbok is found in the heart of the Namaqualand within spitting distance of other typical Namaqualand towns like Alexander Bay, Pofadder, Garies, Kleinzee and Port Nolloth, 570 kilometres north of ... Springbok information

Vioolsdrift

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Vioolsdrift

Springbok might be regarded as the last major town en route to Namibia from Cape Town but the little town of Vioolsdrift serves as a border post that lies virtually on the border with Namibia, on the south bank of the ... Vioolsdrift information

Verneukpan

Where to Stay: Northern Cape Accommodation

Imagine, if you will, a place that is bone dry. Bone dry and very, very flat. And as far as the eye can see it remains flat – not a tree, a building or a hill in sight. Although you will see the odd fence because, believe it... Verneukpan information

Namakwa

Featured and "Must See" Attractions in Namakwa

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 flower garden contains an enormous collection of succulents endemic to the area. A visit to the Goegap Nature Reserve will make a lasting impression with the ... more information

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 some of the richest bulb flora of any arid region in the world, but more than a 1 000 of its approximate 3 500 plant species are not found... more information

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 "outback" – Namaqualand. What at first glance appears to be a wilderness of semi-desert, is suddenly transformed, as if by a painter with a manic palette, into a pageant ... more information

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 Africa. Within this wilderness lies the incredible Richtersveld National Park. Proclaimed in 1991 after 18 years of negotiation between the National Park Board and the local ... more information

Namakwa

Featured Things To Do in Namakwa

view all things to do in Namakwa

Namakwa

Holiday Accommodation in Namakwa

For accommodation in Namakwa see:
• Port Nolloth • Springbok • Vioolsdrift

Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Namakwa Accommodation.

Visiting Namaqualand?
Also see Things To Do in Northern Cape or check out Things To Do in South Africa to view activities by category, including watersports, sightseeing activities, arts & crafts and many, many more.