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Thanx Dreamer! This park looks lovely and what luck to see the kestrel chicks. Will definitely put it on our 'To Do' list!

Contributing to turn the page!!

Dreamer, I must agree with you about the beauty of this coastal line. We did a trip during flower season in 2009 from Strandfontein, via Koekenaap, down to the coastline via Skaapvlei and then all the way up north to Hondeklip Bay, visiting the Namaqua National Park as well.

As rugged as this area can be during the summertimes just as beautiful it become when the flowers start to unfold.

I agree it is just a bit too far for a short trip but we are planning to do the route from North to South again during April next year, on our return from Kgalagadi - hence my question around the ability to do the sandy patches with an off road trailer in tow.

I will post a few pictures of my trip as soon as the page has turned - I don't want to use this as a trip report but want to just add some insight to what it look like during the flower season.

Blackie

That will be great Blackie, I too felt that I just wanted to give a bit more insight into this beautiful section of Namaqua, not a trip report, just to show off some of the less visited areas We were there last year in flower season and were totally blown away ( in more ways than one!)
Looking foward to seeing your pics here too as well as any others who have pics of this area......come on, share them

Turn page turn!!

Lovely, thanks Dreamer - glad you guys had a nice long weekend away It does look like a stunning place to visit !

Sundowner time





















Sleep time approaching

Absolutely STUNNING Dreamer - thanks

Eish that looks wonderfull!!!!!
The braai looks a bit close to the tent, is that the case?

@ Gryskat
I should have made a comment re our camping site. We did not use our braai area. We camped with friends on this weekend and used their braai area When we arrived it looked as if the weather was going to turn bad so we placed our tent right inside the lapa area for some protection if the wind picked up during the night.

Ok, so the little wall next to the braai is for chairs and a table and not a tent.

Having seen the quality of Dreamer's photos, I am not sure if I still want to post mine but anyhow, here goes:
Flowers along the route:


More flowers along the route:


Some parts of a shipwreck on route:


Aristea Shipwreck near Hondeklip Bay:


Namaqua National Park - Skilpad section:



Some humour along the route:


Strandfontein view:


Edited due to photos not linking.

Thanks Blackie - gorgeous photos too The shipwreck is stunning and I love the gate sign !

I noticed that the 8 coastal camp sites has now been listed under Namaqua National Park in the Parks (A-Z) section.

Has anyone recently been camping at any of these sites and which one(s) can you recommend. Also, is it necessary to pre-book or can one just arrive there and then pay and camp? I am aware that there are no ablution facilities, electricity or running water yet.

When returning from Kgalagadi in May 2012 we are planning to follow the coastal route down from Hondeklip Bay to Skaapvlei and will probably stay over along the way for 1 or 2 nights but have not specific dates for this yet.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Blackie

Blackie if I read correctly the camp is really only there during the flower season and its quite pricey compared to normal camp sites . and you have to book on a sort of two night or three night trail . i might be wrong please i am sure someone knows !!

Hugh, what you are probably referring to is the Flower Camp that was newly introduced last year during the flower season, and yes, they are quite pricey.

I am referring to the camp sites which was established closer to the coastal line around the Groenrivier / Spoegrivier area. They are very basic with a sort of a boma built from stones in the area to shelter you against the wind. No water, no ablutions, no electricity. They are quite cheap - around R100 - R110 per night.

Blackie.