See our 2025 update posts here
It is that time of the year again when Namaqualand in South Africa’s Northern Cape changes into a vibrant outfit, changing from an arid landscape to carpets of flowers across the landscape. Read this old post for more flower insights and tips on viewing this spectacle. These updates are from the park management at Namaqua National Park. Look at our Facebook page. We share flower updates from other locations there as we come across them. This Facebook page is dedicated to Wildflowers in South Africa. This private group showcases flowers of Namaqualand and the West Coast.
Remember to charge your camera batteries (or phone if you prefer) as there will be plenty of photo opportunities in the right weather conditions during the Namaqua flower season. You can conveniently shop online and get all your goodies from CameraStuff (affiliate link), from SD cards for extra space to cleaning equipment, everything you need to take photography seriously. Capture flower photos that stand out from the crowd. Read some flower photography tips here.
Weekly flower updates from the Namaqua National Park: 16 September 2024
The flowers are relatively the same as the previous week as we are approaching the end of the flower season. Although some of the flowers are starting to wither, is it still possible to see some flowers around the Skilpad section. It is mostly the Daisies and some vygies that can be seen. There are no more flowers within the Kookfontein area. The flowers at the Groenrivier coastal section did not improve.
The weather for the coming week varies between the high teens and early twenties, accompanied by some windy conditions. Note the temperature should be at least 18 degrees for the flowers to open fully.
| Temperature | |
| 16/09/2024 | 22 |
| 17/09/2024 | 21 |
| 18/09/2024 | 17 |
| 19/09/2024 | 19 |
| 20/09/2024 | 19 |
| 21/09/2024 | 21 |
| 22/09/2024 | 23 |
Weekly flower updates as received from the Namaqua National Park: 9 September 2024
The quality and quantity of the flowers are the same as the previous week as we enter the second week of September within the flower season. The season is now two months in its annual short life cycle, which is the normal prediction for the lifespan of the flowers. The coming week or two will be decisive as we are slowly approaching the end of another wonderful flower season. However, Mother Nature has shown us time and again that the wonder of this area is unpredictable and that the flowers at times can last longer than predicted. Visitors have flocked to the area for the past two months to see the flowers, despite cold weather conditions. We still have the Daisies, Gousblom, Sporries, Meidestert, Sambreeltjies and Bokbaaivygies that can be seen, while within the Kookfontein area the Bittergousblom, Soetgousblom, Wit-soe and Sporries are visible. The flowers at the Groenrivier Coastal Section did not quite live up to its annual expectations, though small patches of Gousblom, Botterblom and Sandlelie are visible in the areas of Skuinsbaai-Noord, Abjoel, Bamboeskamp and the circular route. Visitors can use the walking trails to see more of the flowers that are not normally visible while driving.
The weather for the coming week appears rather windy with temperatures in the high teens to mid-twenties. A moderate to strong easterly wind is expected for most of the week and will impact the flowers. Note that temperatures should be at least 18 degrees for the flowers to open fully.
| Maximum Temperature | |
| Monday 9/09/2024 | 19 |
| Tuesday 10/09/2024 | 25 |
| Wednesday 11/09/2024 | 20 |
| Thursday 12/09/2024 | 19 |
| Friday 13/09/2024 | 17 |
| Saturday 14/09/2024 | 22 |
| Sunday 15/09/2024 | 21 |
Weekly flower updates as received from the Namaqua National Park: 2 September 2024
The flowers are abundant and visitors have experienced exceptional flower viewing, especially with the sunshine over the past weekend. The quality of the flowers is stunning, and visitors can look forward to another week of excellent flower viewing. The Daisies, Gousblom, Sporries, Meidestert, Sambreeltjies and Bokbaaivygies are at their best and visitors can experience the vast variety of flowers in full bloom. Flowers at the Kookfontein area are also very pretty with the Bittergousblom, Soetgousblom, Wit-soe and Sporries that are in abundance. The flowers at the Groenrivier Coastal section are still slow in blooming and it is still small patches of Gousblom, Botterblom, Sandlelie en Volstruisvygies that can be seen in the areas of Skuinsbaai-Noord, Abjoel and the circular route. Visitor are advised to make use of the walking trails to see more of the flowers that are not normally visible while driving.
Expected weather conditions for the week. The weather for the coming week looks good with temperatures mostly in the mid to high twenties. It will be an excellent week for flower
viewing, and visitors are advised to make use of the sunshine to experience
Namaqua at its best. Note that the temperature should be at least 18 degrees for the
flowers to open fully.
| Maximum Temperature | |
| Monday 02-09-2024 | 33 |
| Tuesday 03-09-2024 | 29 |
| Wednesday 04-09-2024 | 19 |
| Thursday 05-09-2024 | 14 |
| Friday 06-09-2024 | 20 |
| Saturday 07-09-2024 | 23 |
| Sunday 08-09-2024 | 23 |
Weekly flower updates as received from the Namaqua National Park: 26 August 2024
The flowers are abundant with orange carpets of flowers blooming in the Skilpad area. There has been no change in the flowers since last week. You can still see Daisies, Gousblom, Sporries, Meidestert, Sambreeltjies and Bokbaaivygies. The flowers between Skilpad and Soebatsfontein are visible alongside the road and visitors can look forward to various flowers when taking that route. It is mostly the Bittergousblom and Daisies that are blooming in this area. Flowers in the Kookfontein area are the Bittergousblom, Soetgousblom, Wit-soe and Sporries. We remind visitors that walking in the fields of flowers is prohibited and that they should use the hiking trails to get a closer view of the flowers. The flowers at the Groenrivier Coastal section are still slow in blooming and only small patches of Gousblom, Botterblom, Sandlelie en Volstruisvygies can be seen in the areas of Skuinsbaai-Noord, Abjoel and the circular route.
Expected weather conditions for the week: Cold weather conditions are expected for most of the week with temperatures mostly in the mid to high teens. Rain is expected to hit the area on Tuesday and Wednesday. The temperatures will increase from Friday and warmer conditions are expected over the weekend. Note that the temperature should be at least 18 degrees for flowers to open fully.
| Maximum Temperature | |
| Monday 26-08-2024 | 17 |
| Tuesday 27-08-2024 | 12 |
| Wednesday 28-08-2024 | 7 |
| Thursday 29-08-2024 | 16 |
| Friday 30-08-2024 | 23 |
| Saturday 31-08-2024 | 24 |
| Sunday 01-09-2024 | 31 |
Weekly flower updates as received from the Namaqua National Park: 19 August 2024
The flowers are abundant at the Skilpad rest camp area and have potentially reached their peak. The variety of flowers has not changed, and you can spot Daisies, Gousblom, Sporries, Meidestert, Sambreeltjies and Bokbaaivygies. The flowers between Skilpad and Soebatsfontein have improved, and visitors can look forward to various light and darker shades of flowers. In contrast with the Skilpad area where the dominant flowers are the daisies, visitors can experience a bigger variety of flowers grouped, including Bittergousblom and Daisies while driving on this route. Flowers in the Kookfontein area are mostly the Bittergousblom, Soetgousblom, Wit-soe and Sporries. Visitors can use the walking trails to see more flowers that are not normally visible while driving.
The flowers at the Groenrivier Coastal Section are still slow to reach their full potential and it is still small patches of Gousblom, Botterblom, Sandlelie en Volstruisvygies that can be seen. They are mostly in the Skuinsbaai-Noord, Abjoel and the circular route areas.
Expected weather conditions for the week. The temperatures are mostly in the mid to high twenties for most of the week. The exception is on Wednesday and over the weekend when temperatures will rapidly drop to the mid-teens. There is a possibility for light rain for Wednesday and Saturday with cold conditions also expected on Sunday. We advise visitors to use the sunshine days for flower viewing as the temperature should be at least 18 degrees for the flowers to open fully.
| Maximum temperature °C | |
| Monday 19-08-2024 | 28 |
| Tuesday 20-08-2024 | 28 |
| Wednesday 21-08-2024 | 12 |
| Thursday 22-08-2024 | 22 |
| Friday 23-08-2024 | 27 |
| Saturday 24-08-2024 | 11 |
| Sunday 25-08-2024 | 15 |
Weekly flower updates as received from the Namaqua National Park: 12 August 2024
There is an improvement in the flowers, and they are starting to bloom more in and around the Skilpad entrance and office section. We had some good rain over the weekend which should have a positive effect on the flowers. With the prediction of higher temperatures later in the week, guests should experience stunning flower views. Guests can also experience a larger flower variety on the walking trails. The Daisies and Bokbaaivygies are still abundant with other species like the Pietsnot, Glansogiegousblom, Soetgousblom and Namakwa sambreeltjie. Large patches of flowers like the Dubbelgousblom, Bittergousblom, Meidestert, and the blue and white sporrie can be seen while driving between Skilpad rest camp and Soebatsfontein.
At the Groenrivier section, individual and small patches of Gousblom and Botterblom flowers can be seen in and around the Skuinsbaai-Noord and Abjoel areas.
Expected weather conditions for the week: The temperatures are still relatively low up until mid-week. A possibility of rain is predicted for Wednesday morning. Temperatures start to climb from Thursday and sunny conditions are expected for the rest of the week. The average temperature from Thursday is relatively high with maximums ranging in the mid-twenties. Note that the temperature should be at least 18 degrees for flowers to open fully.
| Maximum temperature °C | |
| Monday 12-08-2024 | 20 |
| Tuesday 13-08-2024 | 18 |
| Wednesday 14-08-2024 | 15 |
| Thursday 15-08-2024 | 24 |
| Friday 16-08-2024 | 26 |
| Saturday 17-08-2024 | 19 |
| Sunday 18-08-2024 | 29 |
Weekly flower updates as received from Namaqua National Park: 5 August 2024
There is a slight improvement in the flowers, and they are starting to bloom on the circular route. The best flowers can still be seen as one enters the main gate at Skilpad, especially on the new driving route just laid out. Note that this route is strictly for 4×4 vehicles. The daisies and bokbaaivygies are still in abundance, but other species like the Pietsnot, Glansogiegousblom, Soetgousblom and Namakwasambreeltjie are also starting to make their appearance. The flowers at the Groenrivier Coastal section are still thinly scattered.
Here are the expected weather conditions for the week. The temperatures are still relatively low for the coming week with maximum temperatures forecasted in the mid to high teens. Rain is forecast for Friday, 9th August 2024. Note that it should be at least 18 degrees for the flowers to open fully.
| Maximum temperature °C | |
| Monday 05-08-2024 | 13 |
| Tuesday 06-08-2024 | 18 |
| Wednesday 07-08-2024 | 21 |
| Thursday 08-08-2024 | 14 |
| Friday 09-08-2024 | 9 |
| Saturday 10-08-2024 | 18 |
| Sunday 11-08-2024 | 23 |
Weekly flower updates as received from Namaqua National Park: 29 July 2024
The flowers are still the same as the previous week. Namaqua National Park received 22mm of rain over the past weekend. They are abundant after one enters the Skilpad Rest Camp main gate. It is still the daisies and bokbaaivygies that can be seen. Flowers on the circular route and the Korhaan and Skilpad walking trails are slow to appear due to the cold weather conditions. The flowers at the Groenrivier coastal section are slow in making their appearance.
Expected weather conditions for the week. The temperatures are a bit chilly this coming week and will prevent the flowers from opening fully. Rain is predicted for the weekend which will make flower-viewing difficult. Note that temperatures should be at least 18 degrees for the flowers to open fully.
No pictures were taken due to rain and cold weather over the weekend.
Maximum temperature
Monday 29-07-2024 14
Tuesday 30-07-2024 14
Wednesday 31-07-2024 17
Thursday 01-08-2024 20
Friday 02-08-2024 20
Saturday 03-08-2024 21
Sunday 04-08-2024 8 – (70% chance of rain)
Weekly flower updates as received from Namaqua National Park: 22 July 2024
The flower season is still in its early stage and the temperatures are still a bit chilly for the flowers to open fully. Namaqua National Park received 215mm of rain from April to date. Flowers do not completely cover the park landscape and we do not have a variety of plant species in full bloom. It is still the beginning of our flower season.
The flowers are starting to appear in and around the Skilpad Section, especially after one enters the main gate of the Skilpad rest camp. One can see a variety of flowers e.g daisies and also some bokbaaivygies. Flowers on the circular route are starting to appear and should be more abundant within the next week.
Flowers along the Korhaan and Skilpad walking trails are still a bit sparse but should also pick up in the next few days. The picnic area at Koeroebees has few flowers (e.g bittergousblom. Namaqua daisy and bokbaaivygie).
Weather forecast for the next 7 days:
| Date | Temperature (degrees) | Rain |
| 22/08/2024 | 20 | 0 |
| 23/08/2024 | 16 | 0 |
| 24/08/2024 | 18 | 0 |
| 25/08/2024 | 20 | 0.2mm |
| 26/08/2024 | 15 | 4.4mm |
| 27/08/2024 | 15 | 3.6mm |
| 28/08/2024 | 12 | 0.8mm |
Please note that the minimum temperature should be at least 18 degrees for the flower crowns to open up fully
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I would like to join the group for information and updates on the Namaqualand flowers
Hi! Any new updates since July 23? Almost there!
We post updates on this very thread to keep it all together. The last update was on 29 July. The park sends out updates on Mondays, so we update it after we receive it.
Goodday!
I am so glad I discovered this website.
I hope the flowers will still bloom around 15 August around Skilpad Nature Reserve?
Was the rainfall from April enough for a wonderful Orange display?
One of our connections, one of the locals in Kamieskroon, said to me that the flowers should be at their best from mid-August to mid-September as they are only starting now. Feel free to share some photos with us when you visit 🙂
Thank you for your reply! I appreciate it. My sister is coming specially to South Africa from USA to see the flowers! We will share photos!
Thank you for your updates, they are really precious! I am visit Namaqua National park in 3 weeks (mid of August), hope to find this beauty! I will keep reading your blog!
Please share some photos with us!