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
Orange River Rafting Lodge
Orange River Rafting Lodge is situated on the banks of the Orange River and has a peaceful atmosphere, with perceptible silent, starry nights. Th...
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. ...
Springbok Inn
Springbok Inn is a newly built hotel that has a swimming pool, restaurant and bar available to guests. We offer bed and breakfast accommodation i...
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...
Rob Self Catering
Rob in McDougalls Bay is a holiday home offering accommodation near Port Nolloth, just 2 kilometers outside the main town. This laid back town is...
Blue Diamond Lodge
Blue Diamond Lodge offers comfortable accommodation just 1km away from local shopping centres and restaurants in a peaceful area of Springbok. Th...
Kokerboom Motel & Caravan Park
The Kokerboom Motel and Caravan Park is situated 4.2 km outside of Springbok directly on the N7 highway between Cape Town and Namibia. With 30 fu...
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...
Old Mill Lodge
The Old Mill Lodge is centrally situated in Springbok, the capital of Namaqualand, and is the ideal stopover between Cape Town and Namibia, or a ...
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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