Trifter

Namaqualand is a vast arid region of some 170,000 square miles in northwest South Africa in the Northern Cape Province.

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The region forms the northern border with Namibia and stretches south and east into the interior of South Africa and includes some 300 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline. While the region generally receives very little rainfall on a yearly basis, in the late winter and early spring when the rains do come Namaqualand becomes one of the most beautiful places on the planet as the moisture causes the vast wild flowers in the region to bloom in spectacular fashion.

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Over 4,000 species of plants survive in the Namaqualand area and roughly 40% of the species are only found here. An estimated one third of all the planet’s 10,000 succulent species are found in Namaqualand. But for the most part the area is ignored by tourists until the late winter and early spring rains bring forth the majestic tapestry of wildflowers that sweep across the horizon.

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The area includes interesting species such as the Quiver Tree

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and the Halfmens plant which from a distance looks like a person and hence the name. The plant is also known as the Nordpool (North Pole) for its tendency to always lean towards the north.

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In bygone days the sap of the Halfmen was used to poison arrow tips. Halfmen are found in the Richtersveld area of Namaqualand which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

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The wildflowers tend to bloom from early August to September and are comprised mainly of different colored daisies

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but also include Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

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Pelargonium (below) and many other species.

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Cell phone hot-lines are set up across the region for tourists and locals to call to find out exactly when and if the flowers are blooming on any particular day. Due to the arid conditions and uncertainty concerning the rainfall in the region catching the peak flower bloom can be tricky but is well worth the effort.

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