Day Eight Des and myself on our own

After breakfast this morning our ways parted with Anton and Debbie going down the West Coast and Des and myself heading up North. We did our last bit of shopping in Springbok and then headed up towards Steinkopf where we took a tunoff to Port Nolloth.

Heavy mist hangs over the sea at Port Nolloth

There was a heavy mist which made sight seeing a little difficult so we did a quick visit to the museum. We left Port Nolloth and backtracked a little way and truned off heading to the Richterveldt.

The road leading to Eksteenfontein

 We headed up a a dirt road and eventually came to Lekkersing a small village and then went on to Eksteenfontein where we thought we would stay over for the night. But there was no decent campsite so we moved out of town a couple of kilometres and camped off in a quite spot off the side of the road. We just made a small fire and braaied a pork chop for ourselves.

Relaxing around a small fire just off the road 

Day Seven searching for the flowers

We waited until the sun was quite high before we left camp in the hope of seeing the flowers in bloom. We travelled to Okiep and Nababeeb to do some sight seeing.

We then made our way down to Kleinsee and spent a bit of time there, riding around this deserted old mining village.

From there we went down to Soebatsfontein and Kamgas but it was dissapointing as their were only small clusters of flowers here and there. After going around the Kamieskroon we ended up on the highway back to Springbok. As it was Anton and Debbies last night with us we decided to use the oven in the kitchen of the chalet and I deboned a chicken and roasted some potatoes for our last meal together.

Day Six Augrabi to Springbok

A picturous view of the campsite with the mountain in the backgtround

We left the Augrabi Falls campsite mid morning and headed down toward Sprringbok passing through Pofadder before reaching Springbok.



The Pofadder Hotel

 We would stay for the next two nights at the Springbok caravan park.The caravan park was full of campers who had come from all over the country to view the flowers of the North West Cape. Anton booked a chalet for his family for the two nights as they had been camping in a normal tent on the ground. It was Debbie's birthday so we all went out to the Grasdak Steakhouse to celebrate her birthday.

Springbok  campsite and chalet

Day Five A day in the park

Des with his grandchildren Jena and Seun on the moon rocks

We spent a quiet Sunday morning  in the camp, took a stroll to the falls and later took a drive through the park, walked on the moon rocks and went to all the look out points.

A view of the Augrabie falls

The water level in the river was quiet low but the view was still spectacular. The monkeys in the campsite cause havock among the campers. You dare not leave anything lying around, they are absolutely fearless, you turn your back and they get into your tent.

Jena crossing the bridge on the Dassie trail

Later in the afternoon I took Jenna with me and we walked the Dassie trail. Anton did a chicken potjie for us in the evening.

Day Four Oranjerus to Augrabie Falls

We left Oranjerus campsite at 9am and travelled down to Keimoes did a little turn in the town and went on to the Vergelegen Guest house where we had a breakfast.


Breakfast at the Vergelegen Farm stall


We arrived at Kakamas where we stopped at the Pink Paleis and looked and admired all the scrap that had been refurbished in one way or another. From there we went to the Augrabie falls and set up camp.

Unique toilet at the Pink Paleis

Next to our camp site was an elderly couple from Port Alfred in a caravan. He set up his dish and invited us to watch the rugby test at his caravan. It was not long before other campers joined in and we became one happy family. After the rugby everybody went their ways and we treated ourselves to a nice steak on the fire.

Watching the rugby test at Augrabie fall campsite

Day Three A day in and around Upington

Relaxing and enjoying the camplife



 The Oranjerus campsite became a hive of activity as the tourist started filtering into the camp all with more or less the same idea of going down to Springbok with the hope of seeing the flowers in blossom. We had a nice breakfast and went into Upington, and from there we went to the Oranje winery where we did a wine tasting and bought a couple of bottles.

The canals and wineland on Kononeiland

 We then did a little tour through the winelands on Kanoneiland (Kanonie land) and returned to the campsite where we mingled a bit with the campers sharing some experiences before enjoying a braai.

Des looking very serious

Day Two Prieska to Upington

Thursday morning there was no rush, we did what we had to do, and then sat around and enjoyed a nice breakfast before eventually leaving the campsite at about 11am heading for Upington.



Des admiring the breakfast in the skottle


We travelled the straight, long, tedious roads of the Northern  Cape,  stopping occassionally to observe the movements of the social weaver which makes these enormous nests just about on every telephone pole.

The nest of the social weaver on a telephone pole

The further North we went the more barren it became apart from lush greenery in the distance with the willow trees embracing the banks of the Orange River.

Des and myself sharing a joke on the side of the road

We eventually arrived at Upington and after a short drive around at the municipal park we decided to head for Oranjerus campsite on the banks of the Orange River. We set up camp and enjoyed a nice lamb potjie around the fire.