Namaqualand Spring

We leave behind the beautiful Cederberg Ridge and head for our next destination outside Springbok in Namaqualand.

Although we’ve already seen amazing displays of wild flowers, the blooming of the Fynbos in this area is the most notable. We plan to travel through the Namaqua National Park, but don’t seem to be able to find a route - and as it happens, visiting the park itself is completely unnecessary! The closer we get to Springbok, the more flowers we see, and the 27km drive from Springbok to Naries Retreat where we will spend the night takes an absolute age as we keep stopping for views and photographs. There are carpets of tiny yellow and orange flowers everywhere, as well as an absolute plethora of flowering shrubs. It doesn’t matter how many photographs I take, there’s always another view - and none of them can capture the beauty of what we see. 

Eventually we arrive at Naries - an old and rather grand farmhouse which now caters for guests wanting to experience the area. We are staying in a ‘Namaqua Mountain Suite’ and have to follow a member of staff’s buggy to our accommodation some distance away on the hillside. It’s fabulous! 

This is a landscape littered with huge boulders, and our suite forms one of three thatched roundels built amongst them. They seem organic and traditional in shape, yet offer all modern amenities - but for WiFi unsurprisingly.  We have our own little terrace overlooking the landscape, and we sit for a while just drinking in the view - and a cold beer from the minibar! Suddenly, a loud buzzing sound distracts us - and as it gets louder we realise it’s a swarm of bees coming in our direction. We hurriedly retreat indoors and watch them pass by. Apparently, it’s a frequent occurrence here! 

At 6.00pm, we drive up to the sunset viewpoint for sundowners, chatting to Narries’ owners about the sad demise of Welsh rugby while we watch the sun slip below the horizon leaving a short-lived but beautiful pink glow. The temperature drops quickly once the sun has set - time to go down to the ‘Manor House’ for a delicious dinner - our last in South Africa. We depart for Namibia tomorrow! 


Thank you for all your comments, hearts and stars - I suspect posting may become increasingly difficult as we move into more remote locations!