CapeBirdingRoute

‘Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, and waste its sweetness on the desert air.’

Thomas Gray, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard

Namaqualand is best known for the spectacular spring floral displays that provide such a colourful yet ephemeral façade to a fascinating region. This winter rainfall desert is home to a unique arid-land flora that is unparalleled globally in terms of its diverse mixture of both species and growth forms. The region forms the largest portion of the Succulent Karoo Biome (see p.7), recognized as the only desert biodiversity hotspot on earth and hosting the world’s greatest variety of succulent plants. Yet, despite this floral uniqueness, Namaqualand shares most of its birds with the wider Karoo regions of Bushmanland and the Tanqua Karoo. Nonetheless, an excellent selection of endemics is available, and the region provides plenty of rewarding birding against a backdrop of floral richness and striking scenery. It is also the most accessible place in the world to see the endemic Barlow’s Lark, and offers the best sites in the region for Ludwig’s Bustard and Cape Eagle Owl.

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Introduction
Goegap Nature Reserve, Springbok
Diamond Coast - Port Nolloth to the Orange River
Springbok - Kamieskroon: Aardvark Kloof
Skilpad, Kamieskroon
Garies to the Groen River Mouth
The Knersvlakte

Top Birds

Ludwig’s Bustard
Damara Tern
Cape Eagle Owl
Cape Long-billed Lark
Karoo Lark
Barlow’s Lark
Southern Grey Tit
Layard’s Titbabbler
Cinnamon-breasted Warbler
Fairy Flycatcher
Dusky Sunbird
Black-headed Canary

SELECT SPECIALS

SPECIAL FEATURES

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IN THE NAMAQUALAND AREA