The 15000ha Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok in the Northern Cape Namaqualand is an ideal destination to see game and at the same time experience not only some of the finest and most consistent annual flower displays in Namaqualand, but also the incredible diversity of flora that this arid region supports.
Goegap Nature Reserve encompasses a typical Namaqualand terrain of low-lying granite hills, or ‘koppies’, interspersed with flat arid plains dotted with quiver trees, and contains the 4500ha Hester Malan Garden.
The Hester Malan Garden contains 600 indigenous species of succulent, some endemic to Goegap and extremely rare, and of course in spring these plants are joined with carpets of Namaqualand daisies gone crazy.
There are 45 mammal species on the reserve, some iconic residents being the very cute bat-eared fox and the majestic black eagle, springbok, gemsbok and a small population of the very rare and endangered Hartmann’s Mountian Zebra. There are no large predators or buffalo so trails for walking and cycling abound. There are also 4×4 roads for self-drive 4×4 game viewing.
The reserve is open for day visitors but the gates close at 4:30pm. There is a campsite for overnighters.
Getting there: From Springbok take Voortrekker St east out town and turn south on the R355. The reserve is 15km down the R355.
| More info on the quaint town of Springbok | More info on the Namaqualand area |
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