Diya Travel Newsletter

The riotous beauty of flower season in the Northern Cape

Between July and September the Namaqua region sheds its semi desert facade and erupts into a myriad of wildflowers in shades of orange, pink, white and yellow. It is the perfect time to shed your winter clothes and springclean your body and soul.

If you are a flower tourist, keen photographer, or just a fan of vast landscapes filled with silent tranquillity, jumbled granite domes, rugged hills and crystalline night skies, you should take a trip into the Northern Cape.

The Northern Cape is a vast area in South Africa that encompasses no less than 6 National Parks. Conservation International has recognised Namaqualand as the earth's only arid hotspot of biodiversity, placing it among the 25 most ecologically valuable places in the world. It is indeed rare to have a mountain desert and a floral kingdom (with an excess of 3,000 plant species) existing side by side.

Let us arrange a personalised tailor-made holiday to suit your special needs and tastes. Custom made holidays, self drive or group safaris can include; a wildlife journey to the National Parks, flower safaris, historical bushmen tours, fossil and rock art, spotting of shipwrecks, sleeping in luxury lodges or under the stars. There are day trips as well as week long trips to choose from.

The more adventurous can try their hand at mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, fly-fishing or sand surfing. There are also many rural cultural and eco-friendly areas and tours that work closely with local communities in developing sustainable rural tourism within the Namaqualand , Richtersveld and the Bushmanland.

One of the parks that you should not miss is the Augrabies Falls National Park. The great Orange River thundering down to some 56 meters below is a spectacle to behold. The park is also home to endangered black rhino, leopards, antelope, birds and reptiles.

Take time out at the Spa

Mid winter in the Western Cape is just perfect for taking time out at one of the holistic spas in the area. Escape from the chill and slide into a natural hot spring that is tucked into the heart of the African bush; and away from the city madness.

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Sanctuary for your soul at Bushmans Kloof

Relax and unwind at an eco-friendly lodge par excellence. Bushmans Kloof is 5 star exclusive game reserve and Relais & Chateaux lodge set along the slopes of the Cedarberg.

Bushmans Kloof is situated 270 kilometres from Cape Town, and with over 130 Bushman rock art sites, it has been declared a South African Natural Heritage Site.

The conference room, heritage centre, fitness centre, and a dual massage area form one wing of the Homestead, which is built around a sunny terrace and a heated jet pool. The spa at Bushmans Kloof has introduced Africology, a unique South African anti-ageing body and skincare treatment range. Capturing nature’s powerful healing essences, the products contain African plant extracts and Essential oils. Select treatments may be enjoyed in the privacy of your room, closer to nature in a secluded rock shelter overlooking the tranquil valley, or at the outdoor spa gazebo.

The Homestead Restaurant adjoins the terrace with a heated pool, where high tea is served on cooler days. The formal dining room at the Homestead is warm and elegantly furnished, with a full complement of attentive staff.

Apart from lavish rooms and suites, Bushmans Kloof has an internationally acclaimed restaurant and wine cellar (winner of the Diners Club International Wine List of the Year Diamond Award), and Award of Excellence. For a unique dining experience you can book the dam, or a specially selected secret location in the reserve, where the reserve becomes exclusively yours for a private dinner under the Cederberg skies; lit only by candles, lanterns, the stars and the moon.

Bushmans Kloof Heritage Centre’s permanent exhibition artefacts were sourced by the late anthropologist, Jalmar Rudner. A series of photographic portraits reveal the Bushman culture together with authentic Bushman jewellery, dancing sticks, hunting kits, musical instruments, digging sticks and magic sets. You can also take home a selection of local handicrafts, such as woollen throws or handmade leather footwear from Wupperthal village, where artisans still practise the skills learnt from the original missionaries.

Wannabee anthropologists can enjoy daily excursions to discover caves and rock art sites accompanied by trained guides who provide insight into the cultural history of the Bushman. Adventure seekers can indulge in hikes, mountain biking, archery, fly-fishing, canoeing, or swimming in crystal clear rock pools. For the less energetic, Bushmans Kloof provides a perfect retreat for painting, writing, photography and croquet.

From July to October, the world-famous Cape wildflowers carpet the reserve in spectacular displays of colour.

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