Namaqualand – Namaqua National Park

About the Birding

Most visitors will land up in the Skilpad section of the National Park, where its quaint chalets with indoor fireplaces for the cold winter evenings are situated in some really good vegetation and put you right into some of the most popular flower-viewing localities in the area. Birding is rather slow outside of the flower season, but at any time of the year one could search for Southern Black Korhaan, Cape Clapper Lark and the adorable Black-headed Canary in the open areas of the reserve, accessible by sedan.

This short circular drive is easy enough to do quickly before breakfast or at sunset, when one is most likely to encounter both the korhaan and the lark displaying in their breeding season. Another area worth birding if staying at Namaqua National Park is the gravel road to Skilpad itself, which works its way through some beautiful rocky ridgelines, which house interesting and occasionally tricky species like Layard’s Tit-babbler, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler and Fairy Flycatcher whilst slightly more common species to look out for in this area and well vegetated spots along the road would include Acacia Pied Barbet, Pririt Batis, Yellow Bishop, Bokmakierie, African Red-eyed Bulbul, Cape Bunting, Cape Canary, Karoo Chat, Grey-backed Cisticola, Large-billed Lark, Red-capped Lark and Spike-heeled Lark and many others. Raptors in the area include Jackal Buzzard, Steppe Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, Yellow-billed Kite, Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Booted Eagle, Rock Kestrel, Greater Kestrel and occasionally Verreaux’s Eagles too.

Key species:

Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Southern Black Korhaan, Cape Clapper Lark, Black-headed Canary, Fairy Flycatcher, Layard’s Tit-babbler, Pririt Batis, Grey-backed Cisticola, Bokmakierie

About the Birding Site

Hear the word Namaqualand, and your mind should instantly be overwhelmed with visuals of colourful carpets of spring daisies. This park lies within the Succulent Karoo biome, one of the biodiversity hotspots with global recognition. Over 3000 species of plant occur here, half of them found nowhere else in the world.

Key species:

Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Southern Black Korhaan, Cape Clapper Lark, Black-headed Canary, Fairy Flycatcher, Layard’s Tit-babbler, Pririt Batis, Grey-backed Cisticola, Bokmakierie

Other Related Information

Access and facilities:
Tariffs:
South African Citizens & Residents (with ID): R48 per adult/day, R24 per child/day
SADC Nationals (with passport): R96 per adult/day, R48 per child/day
Standard Conservation Fee: R96 per adult/day, R48 per child/day

Gate hours vary month to month, please visit the website prior to arrival for details.
Times range from 05:30-18:30 in Summer (October to March) and from 06:00-17:30 in Winter (May to July). Camp gate times are the same, however, between November to January they open at 04:30.

Other related information:

Access and facilities:
Namaqua National Park is situated in the semi-desert Succulent Karoo region, due to this, extreme temperature fluctuations can be experienced. Pack sufficient warm and light clothing to accommodate for this.

This low rainfall area (340mm) receives its rain during the late winter months (June-August).

  • Peak Summer Temperatures (December/January) can exceed 42°C.
  • Winter Temperatures (June-July) are cool and often drop below 0°C at night.
  • The Kammies Mountains often received snowfall.

Augrabies National Park offers a number of activities, which include:

  • Spring Flowers
  • Self-drive
  • Hiking Trails
  • Mountain Biking
  • 4×4 Wilderness Routes

Important information:

  • Use of drones within the national park is prohibited.
  • Limited cell phone coverage, especially at the campsites.
  • No ATM facilities, shop or restaurant facilities on site. Bring your own food.
  • No fuel on site, the nearest station is at Kamieskroon (approximately 20km).
  • Sedan vehicles can access the north east circular drive, 4×4 recommended for other trails.
  • Although this is a low risk malaria area, consult your doctor/chemist.
  • Skilpad rest camp is wheelchair friendly, as is the reception area and information centre.
  • Wildcards can be used for this park.
  • Limited toilet facilities in the park.
  • No pets permitted within the park.

Directions:
Accessing Namaqua National Park from Johannesburg, take the N14 to Upington for approximately 780 km, from Upington continue along the N14 to Springbok for an additional 400km. At Springbok, you will take the N7 southwards to Garies. After 120km, at Garies turn right towards the Groen River. After 73km, enter the gate with the Namaqua National Park sign and continue 500m to the office.

Accessing the park from Cape Town, take the N7 north to Garies for 430km. Turn Left at Garies towards the Groen River. After 73km, enter the gate with the Namaqua National Park sign and continue 500m to the office.

Entrance Gate: -30.1661 17.7980

All maps for Namaqua National Park can be found here.

Recommended accommodation nearby:
There are a number of private Bed & Breakfasts and lodges in the area, which are all available through online booking sites. Both camping and chalet type accommodation can be located within the park itself. At present, there are no BirdLife Recommended Accommodations listed for this area.

Local guide information:
There are no community bird guides available for this site. However, there are a number of BirdLife Recommended Tour Operators that can supply guides or guided tours for this site, Unearth Safaris.

Text prepared by:
Justin Rhys Nicolau (Unearth Safaris)

Key species:

Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Southern Black Korhaan, Cape Clapper Lark, Black-headed Canary, Fairy Flycatcher, Layard’s Tit-babbler, Pririt Batis, Grey-backed Cisticola, Bokmakierie

Contact details:

For reservations, please contact:

Namaqua National Park
Central Reservations
Tel: +27 (0)12 428 9111
Email: reservations@sanparks.org

For enquiries, please contact:

SANParks
Tel: +27 (0)27 672 1948
Email: namaquanp@sanparks.org
Website: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/namaqua/