Vanrhynsdorp is at the heart of one of South Africa’s most amazing spectacles – the transformation in spring, of our western arid areas into a magical carpet of wild flowers. This botanical phenomenon, involving more than 6000 plant species, has attracted scientific study, and of course, a flock of tourists each year. Daisies, bulbs and succulents carpet the ground or grow between rocks to surprise one at every turn, and make photography a dream.
From Vanrhynsdorp one can easily make day visits to the quaint West Coast villages and drink in the atmosphere, while sipping locally produced wines and enjoying freshly caught seafood. Just west of Vanrhynsdorp is the Olifants River Valley, which not only boasts some of South Africa’s biggest wine estates, but is home to beautiful scenery, orchards and vegetable farms.
A day trip to Nieuwoudtville, the bulb capital of SA, is only a 50km drive over the magnificent Vanrhyns Pass, and includes the Nieuwoudtville falls and a windmill museum, in addition to the awesome flowers. Take you bike with you and cycle down the pass on the way back for a once in a lifetime experience!
The town of Vanrhynsdorp, Victorian in style, has some interesting historical buildings and the Latsky Radio Museum, the largest of its type in the country. Not surprisingly, Kokerboom Succulent Nursery in Voortrekker Street is the largest in the world. Stargazing in the clean Namib atmosphere, with gigantic vistas and complete silence, is also very rewarding.
The economy is boosted by a marble mine on the south side of town, which yields 650 million year old, uniquely coloured, pearl grey marble, which is sent to Vredendal for processing. A gypsum mine is located north of the town on the edge of the Knersvlakte.
Vanrhynsdorp is situated in the folds of the towering Matzikamma and Gifberg Mountains on the N7/R27 junction, 300 km north of Cape Town, en route to Namibia.
See the ShowMe Self Drive Flower Route and ShowMe Namaqualand for more information.
