Namaqua national park

In the Namaqua National park – closest town being Kammieskroon. We stayed in the SA Flower camps (A pop up luxury tented camp – only open for August and September of every year during the flower season – either beach or Skilpad – we stayed in the Skilpad flower camp . 15 tents are erected only ). The other option is the Beach camp which is right on the beach

Access

Off the main road to Cape Town (N7) – easily accessed from there. Is close to the small town of Kammieskroon

Accommodation

The flower camp was a unique – albeit expensive option. Fully catered with gourmet meals. Service was excellent. Drinks are for your own account.

A chemical toilet is in the tent and shower is using water from the “donkey boiler”” which is brought to your tent at the time you wish to shower. A primitive but functional system. The beds are equipped with electric blankets but since the generator goes off at approximately 22h00 – it can get somewhat chilly. So be advised to take warm clothing. The quality of accommodation and service is excellent.

There is other accommodation in the park which is Sanparks accommodation which will be more cost effective. You are free to walk in the park from very early – although it needs to be noted that the flowers only open once the sun is out – so only then are your photographic opportunities at their best. It is truly spectacular to see this carpet of colour.

The walking trails are also very beautiful and you see a variety of different flowers as you traverse the different terrain and rocky areas.

Booking

Directly with the SA Flower camps website

If staying the San Parks accommodation then through the San Parks website or their call center. In flower season it is difficult to get accommodation so be sure to book at least 11 months before the time

Photo opportunities

Flowers, flowers, flowers and the beautiful landscapes that are enhanced with the carpet of colour

Highlights

Flower photography and the opportunity to get really close to them as well as the pollen feeding insects in the flowers - which can provide plentiful opportunities for Macro photography

The whole area around this park is also thickly carpeted with fields of flowers – from Springbok further North right down to The West Coast National Park, A good place to consider a stopover is van Rhynsdorp. We stayed at Maskam Guest farm – with reasonably priced self-catering accommodation. What made this farm special is the many fields of flowers on the farm (which are open to the public for a small fee as well) – they are spectacular. Additionally we also did some astrophotography on the farm where we illuminated some of their old farm implements against the Milky Way. There are also some old farm houses that would be very effective as accent

The drive up the beautiful Gifberg pass is a must as well