7THINGS TO DO
1 Visit these wildflower spots
The most popular part of the park to see flowers is around Skilpad, where the fields of orange daisies are fit for any Namaqualand brochure. The area used to be agricultural land, but the flowers have taken over and the landscape pulls on a bright orange coat every year.
From Skilpad, you can drive the Caracal Eco Route west down the Kamiesberg. The fields of daisies will now be in your rear-view mirror. Around Koeroebees and Soebatsfontein, you can look for wildflowers like blue sporrie, bright pink t’neitjies and yellow satin flowers, all growing among other shrubs. There are also quiver trees on the koppies.
The flowers on the coast look completely different: a variety of vygies and succulents grow low on the ground. Look for the yellow and white knopiesbos, the purple douvygie and the red bells of the cancer bush. Bring a macro lens because you’ll want to take close-up photos.
What time should I get up? You can have a lie-in! The best time to see the flowers is between 10 am and 3 pm, when the sun is at its brightest. Remember to drive away from the sun so the flowers face you. Explore in a western direction in the mornings and an eastern direction in the afternoons.
2 Take a hike
The Skilpad Trail (5 km) is a loop that starts at the Skilpad office. During flower season, this trail is the best way to experience the flowers. You roughly follow the same route that vehicles drive, but on foot so you can get a closer look and take photos.
The Korhaan Trail (3 km) also starts at the Skilpad office. This loop runs through the veld to the southeast and takes you to patches of fynbos with a bigger variety of wildflowers.
Follow the Heaviside Trail (6 km) north from the Abjoel viewpoint if you want to explore the southern section of the park on foot. You’ll walk over a dune and some rocks to a long beach, where you might see Heaviside’s dolphins and humpback whales. It’s a one-way trail, so you’ll have to arrange for someone to pick you up at the end point – a boardwalk down to the beach – or you can turn around and walk back to your vehicle (12 km in total).