Way up high on the Northern Cape’s West Coast – along a stretch of wild country where arid scrubland collides with an icy ocean – you will discover the Diamond Coast in all its glory. Dozens of adventures await, but you may to have to dig deep for your fix.

You never know what surprise may await around the next corner of any given Namaqua gravel road … These meandering dirt tracks keep travellers coming back year after year, and often is your best gateway to discovering the hidden gems of ‘Eenkantland’ and the Northern Cape.

The premier tourism route through this ‘Land on the Side’ is their ‘Namaqua Coastal Route’, a zigzag meander traversing the north-western part of the province. It is a place of breathtaking diversity and jaw-dropping beauty, unfolding along a semi-desert inland escarpment abutting a dramatic, turbulent shoreline.

These divergent botanical biomes have been strafed by a vigorous climate over time, with the extreme elements shaping a space which is rugged beyond belief. The arid earth bristles with a profusion of bulbs and succulents, while quiver trees and dramatic granitic outcrops stack up against time-warped horizons.

During spring - and seemingly overnight - the dusty valleys and plains of Namaqualand are magically transformed into a vibrant wonderland when the annual wildflower bloom arrives. ‘Bloom Season’ is very much ‘Boom Season’ for the local tourism industry, with an influx of floral fanatics arriving from all over the world.

But here’s my plan: skip the crowds and plan your Namaqua visit for autumn, when the secret ‘Green Season’ reigns supreme. A myriad life forms other than flowers await, all superbly adapted to this harsh habitat, with any number of wonders willing to wow visitors to the fascinating Namaqua Coastal Route.

Pick any given gravel road and set off on your journey of discovery; chances are you will not see another vehicle for days. These forgotten tracks offer the best way to experience the striking landscapes, fresh air and star-studded night skies up close and personal.

Dust-line amidst these arid plains and outcrops - abundant with semiprecious stones, crystals and other geological treasures – until you eventually reach the freezing Atlantic Ocean and its rugged coastline. Another unique culture awaits here, with quirky villages such as Kleinzee, Koiingnaas and the fabled Hondeklip Bay begging exploration. 

One tip: bring a capable off-road vehicle if you can, because then you will be able to explore for days into the very heart of this hinterland!