News

The Arid Richtersveld will soon transform into a flower paradise due to exceptional rainfall for the months of May and June 2023.

The low mountains in the central parts of the Ai-/Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park from Akkedispas to Helskloof received between 20-80mm of rain during these months whilst the high mountains, Vandersterrberg and the Ploegberg to Stinkfontein mountains in the World Heritage Site received between 100-120mm of rain.

Since the 26th of May this year unusually cold temperatures persisted, accompanied by almost windless days. These conditions have been the most ideal conditions in almost two decades as little evaporation happened in between rainfall episodes, and the close proximity of the rain intervals has led to rare conditions to cause mass germination of annual seeds.

In Akkedispas, Oxalis sonderiana (within suurings) was flowering for the first time since 2014 in the past. This species like many other Oxalis (suurings) are strictly seasonal in flowering, and they will continue to flower the following two weeks before disappearing. Since 2014, winter rains either failed to occur or occurred a month too late for this species to flower.

On the Koeroegabvlakte, Rooilepel as well the plains below Domoroghpas mass germination of Foveolina dichotoma (knoppiesstinkruid) took place which will turn these plains yellow if good weather conditions persist. The Domoroghpas has mass germination of Gorteria corymbosa (beetle daisies) and Amellus nanus (perssambreeltjies). Throughout the De Koei Helskloofpas area mass germination of Didelta carnosa (perdeblom), Dimorphoteca pinnata var pinnata (witdaisie), Nemesia anisata (oumakappieblom) has occurred.

Species of Aizoaceae (vygies) in the central part of the park are nicely plumped and pushing new shoots rapidly, which will also add shades of white and purple to the upcoming flower show. The Armanshoek and Blokwerf areas have mass germination of Heliophila variabilis (witblom sporrie) which can transform these areas on the Venstervalle Hiking trail into carpets of white appearing like snow.

If the good current weather conditions persist, annual flower displays might start from mid July, during which times exceptional flower displays can be seen on the Koeroegabvlakte, Rooilepel plains, Domoroghpas, Helskloof as well in the Eksteenfontein to Lekkersing areas of the Richtersveld. The exceptional early high rainfall and favourable weather conditions will cause the Armanshoek, Bababaddens and Blokwerf areas on the Venstervalle Hiking Trail to see one of the best flower displays in almost two decades if not more.

The daily life of early Homo sapiens has been recreated on film, and the artifacts and objects created and used by these early inhabitants of our coastline have been meticulously replicated for a display to capture the way of life of humans between 120 000 and 50 000 years ago. The videos highlight the remarkable scientific work of the SapienCE and Wits archaeologists and aim to connect people to the environment, and through this, generate a better understanding of themselves.

There is a good chance that the upcoming flower season will be of the best in decades, all weather dependant. The flower season is usually between mid-July through to the end of August but can even extend to September 2023 this year.

Inquiries:
Genevieve Maasdorp
Communications Manager: Arid Parks
Cell: 054 338 0600