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
Evening Shade
Evening Shade offers accommodation in Mc Dougals Bay, Port Nolloth on the beach, walking of the patio onto the beach sand and your own high water...
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 ...
Peaceful Place
Peaceful Place has three separate self-catering units. If required, all three units can be rented simultaneously. Every self-catering unit is wel...
Okiep Country Hotel
Okiep Country Hotel is an old authentic hotel, yet modern enough for your everyday needs in a small mining town in the heart of Namaqualand. We a...
Naries Namakwa Retreat
Naries Guest Farm is situated 27km outside Springbok. We offer high quality accommodation and are renowned for our hospitality, personal attentio...
Oewerbos River Camp
Oewerbos River Camp is perfectly situated halfway between Cape Town and Windhoek on the banks of the Orange River and en route to the Richtersvel...
Kallabaskop Eco Lodge
Surrounded by the Namaqua National Park, Kallabaskop Eco Lodge is just a short drive from the Skilpad and Namaqua National Park. The lodge offers...
Vioolsdrift Lodge
Located about 400 metres for the South African border post in Vioolsdrift, it is the ideal stop over on your way to Namibia or the Richtersveld. ...
The Growcery
The Growcery Camp is a rustic camp situated on the banks of the mighty Orange River, 22km from Vioolsdrift and offers a tranquil friendly environ...
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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