The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Namaqua National Park
Afrikaans name: Namaqua Nasionale Park
Namaqua National Park
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Northern Cape
The Namaqua National Park was founded to protect the rich diversity of plants that are found in the area. In face, it has the biggest concentration of succulents in the world. It is also covered in flowers when the wildflowers bloom in spring. Normally the best months to visit are in August and September.
It covers an area of 700 square kilometres and is located near the town of Kamieskroon. The area is semi-arid and has hot summers and cold winters.
There is not much too see in the way of animal life but the Namaqua National Park is home to the Speckled Padloper which is the smallest species of tortoise in the world.
The Namaqua National Park does not have much in the way of facilities for visitors. There is a limited road network and two short trails to walk. There is also a picnic site. A few chalets are available for overnight visitors.
Information centre
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Namaqua National Park information centre
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Beautiful carpet of flowers
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Bird checklist for the Namaqua National Park
Grey-winged Francolin
Cape Spurfowl
Common Quail
Cape Teal
Ground Woodpecker
Acacia Pied Barbet
Alpine Swift
White-rumped Swift
Rufous-cheeked Nightjar
Ludwig's Bustard
Karoo Korhaan
Double-banded Courser
Black Harrier
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk
Booted Eagle
Rock Kestrel
Pririt Batis
Cape Crow
Cape Penduline-Tit
Grey Tit
Greater Striped Swallow
Rock Martin
Common House-Martin
Cape Bulbul
Fairy Flycatcher
Layard's Tit-Babbler
Grey-backed Cisticola
Karoo Prinia
Namaqua Warbler
Rufous-eared Warbler
Cinnamon-breasted Warbler
Cape Clapper Lark
Karoo Lark
Spike-heeled Lark
Cape Long-billed Lark
Black-eared Sparrowlark
Grey-backed Sparrowlark
Red-capped Lark
Large-billed Lark
Karoo Thrush
Chat Flycatcher
Karoo Scrub-Robin
Capped Wheatear
Sickle-winged Chat
Karoo Chat
Tractrac Chat
Familiar Chat
Pale-winged Starling
Malachite Sunbird
Southern Double-collared Sunbird
Dusky Sunbird
Cape Weaver
Yellow Bishop
Cape Canary
Black-headed Canary
Yellow Canary
White-throated Canary
Lark-like Bunting
Cape Bunting
References and further reading
Wild Issue 43 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 24Wild Issue 43 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 14
Wild Issue 34 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 35
Wild Issue 36 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 52
Wild Issue 30 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 24
Wild Issue 27 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 24
Wild Issue 25 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 46
Wild Issue 24 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 60
Wild Issue 23 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 56
Wild Issue 16 - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 54
Wild Issue 22 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 75
The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 276
The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 243
go! - Issue 177 - Author: - Published: 2021 - Page: 46
Journey Through the Living Deserts of South Africa - Author: CM Dean - Published: 2005 - Page: 70
Stuarts Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd ed - Author: Chris & Mathilde Stuart - Published: 2018 - Page: 240
go! - Issue 133 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 40
Getaway - Vol 29 No 11 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 67
Getaway - Vol 32 No 12 - Author: - Published: 2021 - Page: 95
go! - Issue 086 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 72
Country Life - Issue 229 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 82
Country Life - Issue 182 - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 42
Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 646 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 24
A - Z of South African National Parks - Author: South African National Parks - Published: 0 - Page: 56
Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 46
SANParks
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