Springbok

Description

The small town of Springbok, known as the Flower Capital of Namaqualand, is world famous for the spectacular wildflowers that carpet the entire landscape in spring. Situated on the N7 highway, it’s the perfect stopover when travelling between Cape Town and Namibia.

Springbok is nestled in a narrow valley in the high granite domes of the Klein Koperberge. Originally called Springbokfontein after the many antelope that inhabited the area, Springbok is a prosperous town that relies on tourism, mining, commerce, and farming.

Springbok and its surrounds are famous for the incredible transformation that occurs every spring (August - September) after the winter rains. The usually barren landscape explodes into colour when thousands of wildflowers spread across the dry, dusty earth.

Goegap Nature Reserve, just 15km outs ide Springbok, has around 600 indigenous flower species, 45 mammal species, and 94 bird species, and is a fantastic place for viewing the wildflowers in spring. Don’t miss a visit to the Hester Malan Wild Flower Garden with its diverse range of succulents. The Skilpad Wildflower Nature Reserve is also another must-see during flower season. Make sure you drive from north to south so that the flowers are facing you as they open towards the sun.

Popular attractions include the Dutch Reformed Church (1921) with its fantastic example of stone masonry, the mineshaft (1685), Monument Koppie, Namaqualand Museum in the old Jewish synagogue, smelting furnaces to the north of Springbok, and Orbicule Hill just outside of Springbok.

Activities include a walking tour of the Blue Mine where copper was first mined in 1852, the war graves from the Anglo Boer War on the Kleinzee road (1860), day trips to Augrabies Falls, and the Namakwa 4x4 Route.

Whether you’re staying for a few days or just passing through, Springbok is a diverse town with plenty to offer.