Namaqualand Navigation

About Namaqualand

Namaqualand is in the Northern Cape in South Africa. Namaqualand backpacking tours are famous for the region's wild flowers, offering amazing photography opportunities - especially in Spring months.

Namaqualand Budget Travel

Namaqualand budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Namaqualand to help you plan your budget holiday in Namaqualand. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Namaqualand.

Airports

Namaqualand airports include the following:
• Cape Town International Airport

Birdlife

Namaqualand shares most of its bird species with the wider Karoo regions of Bushmanland and the Tanqua Karoo. Some of the best birding spots include the Orange River mouth and estuary, with a number of species to see including Ludwig’s Bustard, Damara Tern, Cape Eagle Owl, Cape Long-billed Lark, Karoo Lark, Barlow’s Lark, Southern Grey Tit, Layard’s Titbabbler, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Fairy Flycatcher, Dusky Sunbird and Black-headed Canary.

Conservation

Namaqualand conservation plays a key role in protecting the natural splendour of this beautiful area, and with a number of game parks and nature reserves across the region, the focus is on preservation and educating the public on the importance of biodiversity in this area.

Malaria

Namaqualand, like most of South Africa, does not pose any risks from malaria. No malaria medication will be needed for your trip to Namaqualand, however you will need to take malaria medication if you are traveling to a malaria zone in South Africa afterward, or on to a known malaria area in Africa. Speak to your doctor about which malaria medication is best for you to take.

Money

Namaqualand money and banking info includes:
• There are banks and ATMs in many of the towns along the Namaqualand route
• It is best to be prepared and bring local South African Rands when visiting Namaqualand
• Travelers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at some banks and airports
• Some outlets accept credit cards, however the smaller towns may not
• Banking hours are generally Monday to Friday from 8h30-15h00

Plants

Famous for its riot of wildflowers, it is no surprise that Namaqualand plant life ranks as one of the most important natural habitats in the Cape. An entire floral kingdom can be found here in the form of fynbos, which turns the landscape into a vivid sea of orange, yellow, pink and purple each Spring.

Safety Tips

• Namaqualand is very safe to visit with very little crime
• Petty crime can occur just like any place however, so be cautious
• Keep valuables out of sight in a moneybag, and don't leave valuables in your car when parked
• Summer months can get very hot, so drink lots of water and don't forget to put on sunscreen

Travel Books

Namaqualand recommended travel books include:
• Namaqualand Garden of the Gods by Freeman Patterson
• Namaqualand and the Richtersveld - Nature's Spectacular Canvas - Volume 1 by Martin P Heigan and Herma van Buren-Schele
• Namaqualand: A Succulent Desert by Shirley M Pierce, R.M. Cowling, Colin Paterson-Jones, and Peter Raven
• Namaqualand: South African Wild Flower Guide by A. Le Roux and Western Cape Nature Conservation Board
• A Traveller's Companion to Namaqualand by Esta Mostert

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in South Africa

Wildlife

With a number of game reserves and parks within the area, Namaqualand wildlife is fairly abundant. Some of the most common species to see within the area include a large number of antelope, from klipspringer to bontebok, springbok and gemsbok. Other species include the endangered Hartman's Zebra and the aardwolf.

1 Overland tours through Namaqualand recommended for you

Voortrekker Express

9 days From ZAR 4950

Cape Town to Cape Town

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