Most of us know the Northern Cape as an arid space, full of sand dunes and minimalist plains, where quiver trees stand like sentinels atop rocky outcrops. Boundless back roads and tracks criss-cross this sun-seared landscape; when you do navigate north, you usually do so with your vehicle aircon dialled to the max.

But here’s the thing: the Northern Cape, and Namaqualand in particular, boasts a ‘secret season’. From April to September, the temperature levels out, and there are even shimmers of green on the plains and ridges. Early mornings and late afternoons deliver tequila-clear light, magnificent sunsets and clear night skies.

“Rain in May, flowers on the way!”

The locals here have a saying: “Rain in May, flowers on the way!” This year, a solid 150mm fell over a few days, drenching much of the region. I was at Naries Namakwa Retreat at the time – a lodge near Springbok – and I could almost hear the veld responding to the deluge. Within days, bokspoortjie bulbs had bloomed and snake-head lilies appeared; gannabos and taaibos pushed new shoots, and untold wildflower seeds began to germinate.

The lodge is at the top of the Spektakelberg, and a perfect place to base yourself if you want to experience Namaqualand’s annual wildflower bloom on two wheels. Quiet gravel roads and tracks connect Naries to the Namaqua National Park and Goegap Nature Reserve, as well as to the wild northern parts of the West Coast. How far you want to go, and for how long, is entirely up to you. 

If the flowers are blooming, you won’t know where to look. But even if they’re not, you’ll still experience quiet roads, campfire nights, starry skies, prime steaks and superb red wine from the Olifants River valley to the south – and you’ll meet plenty of warm-hearted people, too. 

Three Route Options

1. Naries Namakwa Retreat / Springbok

This plush guest farm is also a nature reserve of its own, with cosy twin-sleeper units, a manor house for hire and other self-catering options. A well-marked network combines roads and singletrack for trail runners, hikers and mountain bikers. 

The MTB trail is an easy 11km loop that dashes past gemsbok and springbok, but true gravel heaven awaits just beyond the entrance gate. Summit the spectacular Spektakel Pass, and ride to the historic farmstead of Nigramoep and back – about an 80km return trip.

Distance: 11km MTB loop; or as far as you like on the gravel roads. 

Entrance fee: Only guests are allowed to ride the Naries trail; the gravel roads are open to everyone. 

More info: naries.co.za / experiencenortherncape.com

2. Goegap Nature Reserve / Springbok

Goegap rates as ‘entry-level’ desert: big enough to feel vast, but small enough not to scare you. Quiver trees spike the sky, backdropped by rugged koppies that rise from craggy plains. 

The riding unfolds along a network of reserve roads and 4×4 tracks. From a flower perspective, the 150km2 reserve is a global biodiversity hotspot – nearly a quarter of the plants found here occur nowhere else on earth!

Distance: 30km or 60km 

Entrance fee: R40 per adult, R20 per child aged 6-17; free for children under six. Get a free map of all the trails at the entrance. 

More info: ‘Goegap Nature Reserve’ on Facebook

3. Namaqua National Park / Kamieskroon

The Skilpad section of this massive park is on a ridge about 700m above sea level. The altitude ensures it catches more mist and rain than the lowlands, making it a very reliable spot for flowers, even in drier years.

Check out the fields of Namaqua daisies, then head off on your bike and give the flower crowds a miss. There are days and days of riding to be had on the park’s roads and 4×4 tracks – you’re permitted to cycle anywhere that’s open to public vehicles. A great option is the 4×4 trail from Skilpad to Soebatsfontein (27km one way; 54km return). It’s arguably the most famous and prettiest route in the region, leading down off the escarpment to the coastal lowlands.

Distance: Up to you.

Entrance fee: R62 per adult, R32 per child aged 2-11; free with a Wild Card.

More info: sanparks.org

READ MORE ON: flower season namaqualand rad rides