Caracal Eco Route- Northern Cape South Africa
Those who have experienced the coastal section of the Caracal Eco Route say it is a firm rival experience to the legendary spring flowers that may pave your way. In or out of flower season, this 4×4 mountain-to-ocean route in Namaqualand is well worth doing if you enjoy adventure.
DID YOU KNOW?
Namaqualand is most famous for its carpets of flowers that bloom each spring. The most prolific orange and yellow Namaqualand daisies grow best in land that has been ploughed or disturbed.
General information
The Caracal Eco Route – Northern Cape South Africa, provides a grand old adventure: the mountains are grand; the ocean is grand; and the grassy plains, silent expanses and beautiful spreads of thousands of different species of flowers are grand.
As you journey along this 4×4 mountain-to-ocean adventure, which is offered by the Namaqua National Park in the remote and sparsely populated western side of the country in the Northern Cape province, you may be lucky enough to come across the world’s smallest tortoise – the Namaqua speckled padloper – crossing the path in front of your vehicle. (Padloper means ‘road walker’ in Afrikaans, the predominant language of this area.)
And that’s when you realize that grand comes in large and small packages. This unobtrusive creature has made its way through the centuries, surviving the harsh, arid conditions in its stoical way.
The complete route takes six to eight hours; longer if you take your time and book into the accommodation offered by the park. Accomodation such as the Luiperdskloof Guest Cottage or a choice of on-the-beach camping sites along the 50km West Coast stretch. This comprises the coastal section of the Namaqua National Park.
Wildlife-wise, you’re in for a diverse, arid feast. From the long, straight-horned antelope known as the oryx, to the succulent plant species known as the ‘vygie’ with its neon-bright flowers, to the seabirds circling the waves.
Name origin of Caracal Eco Route
Caracal Eco Route – Northern Cape South Africa – The route receiving it’s name after the caracal, a medium-sized cat species (much bigger than a domestic cat, but smaller than the big cats such as lions and leopards) that thrives in arid mountainous terrain.
Hopefully you’ll spot one along the way. They are shy and mostly nocturnal. One thing you can be sure of is that more than one has spotted you as you make your way up the Soebatsfontein or Wildeperdehoek passes, and down into the grassy plains.
www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/entry/article-the-caracal-eco-route-northern-cape