The Cape flowers phenomenon of the Namaqualand area (kontrei) is regarded as a natural wonder. The brightly coloured flowers are sweet scented and massive in numbers to maximise their attraction to pollinators such as wasps, bees and birds by day and moths by night.
The flowers are dependent of early winter rains and enough follow up rains. Then a spectacular variety of sight, colour, shape and size will meet the eye.
This popular namaqualand flower tour will take you to some of the best Namaqualand flower spots. The following extract gives an idea of the extent of the tour - a full itinerary can be seen on the Kontrei.co.za site at http://www.kontrei.co.za/
Day 1 and 2: Pick up at the airport or Cape Town Accommodation. Transfer via Paarl, Malmesbury and Clanwilliam. Reach Ratelgat, the Griekwa settlement north of Van Rhynsdorp on the Knersvlakte. About 4 hrs drive. Settle in late afternoon for a full board, 2 night stay in the Griekwa community's holy grounds amidst the flatland flowers of the Knersvlakte.
Days 5 through 8 are spent near Garies: During these four days the tour takes you in four different directions in the area. This might include one day around the hardeveld Garies area, one day around the upper Namaqualand Springbok area, one day in the high mountain Kamieskroon area and one day along the Namaqualand-
You will also visit the Namaqua National Park near Kamieskroon. Enjoy the spring's show of exuberance in the Kamiesberg.
Day 9 and 10: Travel down the escarpment to the Knersvlakte and a walkabout on the Knersvlakte. Travel down the developed agricultural Olifants River Valley and via the Sandveld coastal zone to Lamberts Bay for overnight on a West Coast Farm. Lunches and dinner to be enjoyed at various close by eating houses with local sea food menus. Bird Island and marine game drive included.
The full Namaqualand flowers itinerary can be seen at http://www.kontrei.co.za/
