Project Description
South Africa, Northern Cape 2010
The North cape, one of the worldױs most unique arid zones, has the richest desert flora in the world. This ancient, fossil-rich land, called the Great Thirstland by its earliest inhabitants, has the largest variety of succulents found anywhere on earth. Over 9 000 species of plants are found in the Great Karoo and norh cape. In the Succulent Karoo (to the west), where rain falls only in the cool winter months, there are over
5 000 plant species in 51 000 square kilometres.
Oddly enough most Karoo succulents are intolerant of sun and frost.
Day 1| We started our trip landing in Upington Air Port, our plan was to start the trip at Springbok, therefore we drove from Upington to Springbok with only one stop on the way, to visit the locality of Lithops Jullie, 6 km. East of Pofadder.
The plants were in bloom and were accompanied by flowering Conopytum praesectum and other small Succulents.
In the evening we arrived at Springbok and checked into the excellent BB Mountain view hotel, were we planned to stay 3 nights.
Day 2| we headed north, direction Steinkopf and than west towards Porthnolth, after 30 km. we turned right (north) in to a dirt road leading to Eksteenfontein, along the way we saw many beautiful Aloe Dichotoma
We stopped and climbed several hills and mountains were we saw many succulents including Crassulas, Sheiridopsis, Conopytum bilbum in flower, Avonia, Hoodia and many many more.
Each and every hill we climbed on the way was a beauty.
In the afternoon we arrived to Eksteenfontein and enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the Richtersweld Mountains.
DAY 3 | we started with a visit of the locality of Conopytum pellucidum right at the borders of Springbok, the plants grew in several big quartz rocks, some were in flower, we can summarize it by saying” it was a beauty”.
Following directions we received from Norbert Kleinmichel from Atomic Plant Nursery in Germany we headed towards the Umdaus range. We drove in thedirection Steinkopf and then took the road to Port Nolloth, after Aprox 5 Km. we turned north (right) towards Kosies, than after about 12 Km. we turned towards the Wyepoort River Valley, driving down the valley for another 6 Km., at that point we stopped at the Coordinates 290707S 173901 E and started climbing a mountain which is paradise for succulents lovers, on the way up hill we saw Conopytums in flower, many Tylecodons (all sizes) Crassula , Euphorbia, Avonia, Sarcocaulon and many more, the real heaven was on top where we saw several types of Conopytums : Ectypum, Armianum , Flavum , Longum ,Bilobum many of them in flower, there were so many Conopytums we had to walk carefully not to step on them, we spent there most of the day walking on this mountain at temperature of 30 degrees C, later in the afternoon we headed back to Springbok
Day 4 | our plan was to visit Kngnas Farm. Aprox 50 Km. From Springbok on the road to Pofadder, the visit was coordinated with Marietjie and Weich owners of the farm who very kindly let us explore their farm. They showed us which hills we should explore in order to see Lithops and Conopytums. Because this year they did not have much rain over the farm the lithops weren’t supposed to be in bloom. At a hill just next to the farm house we saw many Lithops Marmurata some were flowering and other were about to flower, Conopytums Lithopsoides , Limpidum , Fulleri , Vanheerdei and many succulents including Trichocaulon
At a flat plain field with quartz stone we saw Conopytums Maughanii some were in Flower. Coordinates 291344S 174120E this locality was shown to us by Marietjie
In the after noon we climbed another mountain (copie) in the farm where we saw many more succulents including Lithops and Conos as described above.
Late in the afternoon we drove-to Pofadder where we spent the next two days.
Day 5| we drove from our hotel in Pofadder towards Onseepkans– the mountains and hills on both sides of these dirt road were full with succulents and one only has to choose were to stop.
We stopped at approx. 4 km from Pofadder and started exploring the mountains were we saw many kinds of succulents including Lithops Olivacea, Julii , Conopytums , Ihlenfeldia , Dinteranthus , Lapidaria, Avonia alstonnii and many more.
At this point we saw a shepherd named Adidas who showed us where we can see BEESKLOUKIE- the African name for Lithops, and indeed on this mountain top we saw many Lithops Jullie , Olivaceae and several Lapidaria. (East side of the dirt road)
On a small hill on the West side of the dirt road we discovered a field full with blooming Lapidarias.
We drove all the way to Namibia to watch the Orange River and returned back to Pofadder for the night.
Day 6| we decided to relax after 5 days of climbing, so we drove over to Kakamas to stay on a beautiful wine estate BB lodge, VERGELAGEN. From there we took a short drive to watch the Agrabies Falls and we drove a short distance in the game track to watch some game.
At that day the place was full with small nagging flies so we did not stay long outside and just had a rest for the end of the day.
