Year in the Wild Blog

It’s been really windy here in Namaqualand! And cold! Apparently there is snow in various parts of the country.

I spent the day exploring the northern part of this park, which starts near Kamieskroon in the Northern Cape, and extends west down the escarpment onto the coast. There is a great 4×4 route (Caracal Eco Route) which takes you from the main entrance to the aptly named Wildeperdehoek Pass (what a great name!) in the north, which leads to Springbok eventually. The views are endless…and wild.

It took me about eight hours to travel about 50 kilometres today – because I kept stopping to take photos of the flowers! As you drive further into the park, the diversity of the flowers increases, and you don’t get large patches of any single colour.

I didn’t see another person the whole day….until I got back to the Skilpad reception, where I am staying in the education centre with conservation students Jacques and Jodie. Thanks guys for letting me stay with you!

Early morning in Namaqua Early morning in Namaqua National Park - windy! (Not from the avo...from the weather!)Park - windy!

The start of the Caracal Eco Route

Wind on flowers...

Wind on flowers...

Hartbees in Namaqua NP

This is what the Namaqua National Park is like for most of the year...dry and brown!

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