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Namakwaland and the Cedarberg

North of the fertile and prospering Cape Peninsula, the landscape gradually changes into the dry Namakwaland semi-desert. This is an area of dramatic contractions in scenery as you drive through the healthy wheat fields of the Swartland (named after it's rich black soil) over the Olifants River Mountains and into a valley dense of citrus farms. Further north you'll encounter the dry harsh wilderness of Namakwaland, which would seem to be an endless plain to dry for anything to grow. However, every spring the area is transformed into an amazing rainbow coloured display of desert flowers. Many hundreds of tourists flock to the area during this time to witness this stunning celebration of spring. But before long, the season changes, bringing dry hot sunny days with scorching winds which quickly returns the area to it's desert appearance.

Mighty sandstone formations, waterfalls and spectacular panoramic views greet the visitor in the Cederberg. This mountain nature park has been weathered and eroded over the centuries to create fantastic shapes of rock formations. This is the outdoor persons cup of tee, with various hiking trails and mountain climbs traverse the park, while the Algeria forestry station serve as a base camp for expeditions in the area.