An arid, unyielding, harsh and unforgiving climate.  But each spring, one of Nature's miracles occurs.  The grey and sleeping landscape bursts into life with an unbelievable display of wildflowers in every shape and colour - including many rare, unique and endangered plants.  It's a unique annual spectacle (varying in intensity according to the amount of rain) that draws visitors from every corner of the globe.

But there's more to please the eye than just flowers.  The area is rich in history - from by-gone mining glory days to ancient Nama culture.  And there's natural beauty in spades: from the star-studded skies of Sutherland with its S.A.L.T. (South African Large Telescope) to the gnarled moonscape of the |Ai|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.

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Top 10 Attractions:

• South African Astronomical Observatory at Sutherland
• |Ai|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
• Namaqualand Wild Flower Spectacle (Aug/Sept annually)
• Tankwa Karoo National Park
• Wild Flower Reserve on Glenlyon
• Nieuwoudtville Falls
• Quiver Tree Forest near Loeriesfontein
• Verneukpan
• Pella Mission Station
• Pofadder DR and catholic churches

For more info, visit Northern Cape Tourism