Namaqua National Park – Coastal 4x4 Trail Featured Hot

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The coastal section of the Namaqua National Park lies between the Groen and Spoeg River estuaries and traverses rugged yet picturesque coastline that requires the use of a 4x4 vehicle.

Numerous small bays, boulder outcrops and white beaches dot this landscape making it an extremely worthwhile photographic destination. Heaviside’s Dolphin which are endemic, occur in small pods that regularly leap out of the backs of waves with Korringkorrel Baai being one of the best locations to view these small dolphins.

In springtime, fields of colorful flowers occur right up to the edge of the beach and provide tremendous opportunity for attractive landscape images. Limpet beds of various species provide the worlds densest concentrations of grazers and make challenging photographic subjects and the Cape Fur Seal colony is one of the few that occurs within a protected area.

Photography

Best Time to Photograph

Early mornings and late evenings are best for landscape photography while timing visits to coincide with spring and neap tides is best for intertidal photography. Bird photography is best undertaken from early to mid morning.

Type of Photography

Birds
Beachscapes
Flowers
Landscapes
Intertidal Organism's

Best Time of Year

Spring

Photographic Tips

When photographing on the coast always be aware of rogue waves. This is a rough stretch of coastline where seas are large and dangerous if not watched. The Cape Fur Seal colony, although lying right next to the road, is still very sensitive to any disturbance. All movements must be made very slowly and should not approach the colony beyond the ridge that drops to the beach.

Recommended Gear

Protective covers for all your photographic gear is suggested when photographing on the coast, as there is often a wind blowing that brings a fine salt mist with it. Good zoom lenses are useful when photographing on the intertidal platforms as this limits gear that needs to be carried on often-slippery rocks.

Highlights

Site Highlights

Kwas Se Baai
Korringkorrel Baai
Policeman’s Helmet
Cape Fur Seal Colony

Top Species

Footnotes

PURCHASE IMAGES

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Northern Cape - Images by Photodestination Images

Season and Weather

Although the Namaqua National Park is generally hot and dry, cold winds and mist can blow off the seas at any time necessitating warm weather gear that is also wind and waterproof.

Habitats

Other Activities

Bird Watching
4x4 trails
Beach activities

Location

Closest Town

Springbok

Getting There

Follow the N7 between Cape Town and Springbok. At Garies turn westwards towards the coastline and follow the signage for approximately 60 – 70kms to the Groen River estuary. The entrance to the park is well signposted.

Address

Namaqua National Park

Map

Swap Start/End Start Address

End

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Author: Peter ChadwickWebsite: http://www.peterchadwick.co.zaEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About

As a dedicated conservationist, Peter Chadwick has 30 years strategic and operational conservation experience in terrestrial and marine protected area management. He has worked within all of the major biomes in southern Africa as well as having provided expert conservation advice at a global level. His conservation and wildlife photography is a natural extension to his conservation work where he has numerous opportunities to capture photographs that showcase the beauty and complexity of the outdoors. Peter’s photography is internationally recognized, with this work appearing globally in a wide range of print and electronic media.