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Countryside Meanders

PPicture an arid semi-desert landscape with mountains, roads, rocks and shrubs. Now picture the transformation of this landscape in the succulent Karoo as it is completely altered by a blanket of beautiful flowers. Well, when spring arrives in the Namaqua National Park, this is exactly what happens.

From horizon-to-horizon, orange daisies take over the Namaqua National Park in spring. It’s a sight so beautiful and unique, it’ll take your breath away.

Did You Know?
TThe world’s smallest tortoise, the speckled padloper (path walker) is found in Namaqualand.

WWhile the bees and butterflies keep themselves busy collecting pollen, the people who come to experience the magic often just sit in the shade and take it all in. That’s between making “daisy angels” and taking photos, both of which are irresistible activities in this surreal landscape.

TThe timing of the flowers and how many will bloom changes every year but its guaranteed that sometime between August and the beginning of October, the dusty land will spring to life and, for a few vibrant weeks, this low-rainfall desert is completely transformed. But Namaqualand, also known as the Succulent Karoo, isn’t only known for its daisies. It’s also rich in bulb flora, and over 1000 of the estimated 3500 plant species that occur here are found nowhere else in the world.

Namaqua National Park, Northern Cape

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TTo experience the heart of the succulent Karoo, you can take the Caracal 4x4 Eco Route, which is over 180km long and will take you deep into the park's newest lands.

The sea of flowers literally ends at the sea, between the Groen and Spoeg rivers, where even the beaches are edged with flowers. Sit still for long enough and a sighting of a rare Heaviside dolphin may even add an extra sprinkling of magic to your trip.

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