Springbok

Springbok, the capital of Namaqualand, sits in a narrow valley between the high granite domes of the Klein Koperberge ('small copper mountains'). This name reveals the reason for the early settlement, which gradually turned into a major commercial and administrative centre for copper mining operations in the region.

There is just one main road north from Cape Town to Namibia, and Springbok is the last major town before the border and for hundreds of kilometres afterwards. The streets lead off from a central little 'koppie' (hill) which now shows off Namaqualand's strange flora, such as the almost leafless quiver tree, whose branches were used by bushmen to hold their arrows.

This area is famed for the incredible transformation that occurs every spring, when the lifeless scrubland explodes into colour from thousands of flowers, hidden in the dry dusty earth and brought to life by winter rains.

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