Namaqua National Park

Butterflies hover, birds dart and bees shimmy and dance over the springtime flowers of Namaqua. A multiplicity of colour weaves across the valley floor and spills over to the sandy coastline of the parks ‘Groenspoeg’ corridor. This is what you’ll find in the Namaqua National Park during early August and September. Throughout the year, enjoy walking amongst the richest bulb flora of any arid region worldwide on the 5km circular Skilpad footpath or explore the park by mountain bike or 4×4. With 3500 plant species (1000 of which are found nowhere else on earth) there is much to appreciate in this rich floral kingdom. Animals found in the park include the shy and elusive leopard caracal as well as springbuck, porcupine, baboon and jackal. Seals and other sea creatures that pass through the marine reserve section of the park visitors to enjoy another aspect of Namaqua. A pair of Booted eagles that nest in the tall trees opposite the reception area each year, will delight birders, not to mention the many other species to be spotted, such as, the Jackal Buzzard, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler and Karoo Lark to name but a few. Perched on an escarpment, the SkilpadRestcamp chalets have uninterrupted views of the park all the way to the distant coastline, while the Luiperskloof cottage is tucked away beneath a pair of granite domes, which offer this valley an air of seclusion. For those who prefer to be at the sea, informal camping is allowed while more formal camping facilities are being established.