Driving north from Cape Town, the traffic dwindles as the tar road meanders between hills and into rugged mountains. Whilst it's pleasant for most of the year, during the famous flower season (late August and early September) the hills and heath-lands of Namaqualand burst into flower with vibrant oranges, purples and yellows carpeting the ground.

Detour slightly west, to the coast, and you'll reach Langebaan, gateway to the West Coast National Park. This has a fantastic population of sea birds and is a major attraction during the flower season. Here, The Farmhouse Hotel is a charming place to stay; it sits on the hill with wonderful views of the Langebaan Lagoon.

Inland, barely two hours' drive from Cape Town, you will reach Clanwilliam, a tiny settlement of whitewashed wooden houses on leafy streets surrounded by extensive orchards. Nearby, the Cedarberg Wilderness Area protects one of the Cape's last remaining stands of mountain fynbos vegetation, so bring your hiking boots and explore for a few days.

In town, there are two great places to stay Clanwilliam Hotel and Ndedema Lodge, and east of town, the luxurious Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve.

Over the years, we've seen the town of Springbok, in the heart of Namaqualand, change from a rural backwater into a bustling little town. In the flower season, visitors flock here. There is even a local 'flower hotline' to find the day's best blooms – so at this time of year you must book trips well in advance.

In town you can stay at the Old Mill Lodge, or on the hillside overlooking Springbok, at the Mountain View Guest House.


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