Namaqua National Park

Namaqua National Park is the latest edition of the ever-growing South African National Parks. This is the jewel of Namaqualand and the West Coast of The Northern Cape. People tend to forget that the Northern Cape is home to an extensive coastline. The Namaqua National Park covers an area of 700 square kilometers. The Park is one of only two arid Biodiversity Hotspots. It is home to the largest variety of succulents and wildflowers in Southern Africa.

What makes Namaqua National Park a Biodiversity Hotspot?

Namaqualand falls within the Succulent karoo Biome
It is one of the world's only 34 biodiversity hotspots
Fifteen bioregions are the Namaqua National Park
Arid Estuarine Salt Marches
Kamiesberg Mountain Scrubland
Arid Grassland and Blomveld
Coastal Duneveld and Heuweltjiesveld
Inland Duneveld along with Klipkoppe Scrubland
Rivers, Salt Pans and San Fynbos
Seashore Vegetation and Strandveld
Riethuis Wallekraal Quartz Vygieveld
Oograbies Plains Sandy Grassland

The Succulent Karoo has approximately 6,356 plant species; 40% (2,542) are endemic. It has been recorded that Namaqualand has 3000 species and (1,500 are endemic) made up of 648 genera and 107 families.

Namaqualand is further distinguished from other desert regions by the presence of the following families: Mesembryanthemaceae (vygies); Iridaceae (irids); Hyacinthaceae (lachenalias), and Crassulaceae (crassulas). There is a strong pattern of dominance by succulents and bulbs.

The Namaqua National Park is a wildflower paradise during August and September. The Coastal 4 x 4 route is a unique drive along some of the most pristine beaches in South Africa.

What sets the Namaqua National Park Apart?

Eco-Friendly Campsites
Well managed National park
Wildflowers
Coastal 4×4 Route
Wide-open spaces
Rock formations
Succulents
Excellent Birdlife
Growing herds of mammals
Smaller Predators like the African Wild Cat, Caracal, and Aardwolf

Take the slow road north towards The Growcery Camp and visit the Namaqua National Park. This Coastal Park is the start of the Diamond Route Safari Trail. Take your four-wheel drive, pack the camping gear and disappear in Namaqualand this season. There are wide open spaces and gravel roads for you to explore. You will find friendly faces and small fishing villages. There are no traffic lights and no cell phone reception; Namaqua Park is the perfect place to relax. There are also no traffic cops and most definitely no parking attendants. It is time to escape into the wild and explore Namaqua National Park on your next visit to The Growcery Camp.

How to get there?

From Upington:
Take the N14 to Springbok (400km)
Take the N7 south to Garies (120km)
At Garies, turn right to Groen River
Follow the gravel road to Groen river (73km)
At Groen River, you will enter the park at the sign ‘Namaqua National Park- Coastal Section’ to your right
To enter, open and close the gate again
The office is approx 500m from the gate
From the office, it is 1km along the coast to the Namaqua Flowers Beach Camp
From Skilpad:
Skilpad is the parks’ main office and lies 20km from the town of Kamieskroon (which lies on the N7)
From Skilpad, there is a 4×4 track going down to the coast
It is essential to obtain the Caracal Eco trail Booklet at the office for directions
This route can take 4-6 hours down to the Beach Camp (strictly 4×4 only!)