South Africa is home to an entire floral kingdom, yet you wouldn’t know it from the dry, desert-like Namaqualand region. The area appears to be a wasteland for plant life, until one day between August and October it suddenly bursts into an endless patchwork of vibrant colors. A dazzling array of daisies and other wildflowers eclipse the landscape, captivating visitors for just a few short weeks before disappearing for another year.

Goegap Nature Reserve is comprised of 15,000 hectares of 600 indigenous flower species. Guided game drives in the reserve provide bird’s eye views of the astounding beauty of South Africa’s floral season.

[caption id="attachment_2769" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Namaqualand wildflowers by titoh44 via flickr[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2770" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Namaqualand wildflowers by titoh44 via flickr[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2771" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Namaqualand wildflowers by titoh44 via flickr[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2772" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Namaqualand daisies by Jolette Roodt via flickr[/caption]

In addition to its abundant plant life, Goegap is inhabited by a recorded 45 mammal species and 92 bird species.

Highlights of the reserve's mammals include Springbok and Gemsbok antelope. Other wildlife includes the endangered Hartmann’s mountain zebra, the honey badger, and the aardwolf, a small, termite-eating mammal related to hyenas. Bird species include ostriches, Black Eagle, Spotted Thick-knee, Masked Weaver, and Ground Woodpecker.

[caption id="attachment_2752" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Masked Weaver by Chadica via flickr[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2773" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Spotted Thick-knee by hyper7pro via flickr[/caption]

Visit our website to learn how you can join us in 2013 to view South Africa's spectacular wildflowers in bloom.