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'Onaktiewe' Alexkor-trust striem hupstoot vir Namakwaland se

'Onaktiewe' Alexkor-trust striem hupstoot vir Namakwaland se

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Goegap Nature re<strong>se</strong>rve, Springbok<br />

"Why would anybody in his right mind visit Goegap when it is not in the flower <strong>se</strong>ason, and go<br />

on a hiking trail, 4x4 route or mountain bike ride in December? "<br />

"The answer is twofold: to experience the <strong>se</strong>rene tranquility and isolation in clo<strong>se</strong> symbiosis<br />

with this area rich in human and archaeological history and, <strong>se</strong>condly, to look clo<strong>se</strong> enough<br />

and be surpri<strong>se</strong>d at the abundance of fauna and flora still around although the plains are not<br />

covered in flowers."<br />

The Goegap Nature Re<strong>se</strong>rve, under control of the Department of En<strong>vir</strong>onment and Nature<br />

Con<strong>se</strong>rvation, Northern Cape, is situated 15 km South East of Springbok. This is a "must-visit"<br />

for nature lovers and 4x4 enthusiasts, in all <strong>se</strong>asons, and has routes for <strong>se</strong>dan vehicles as well<br />

as 2 - 4 rated 4x4 routes. The camping area in the park is clean and well looked after, at an<br />

extremely reasonable fee.<br />

The intention of this article on the Goegap Nature Re<strong>se</strong>rve is to indicate the attraction and<br />

characteristics of the re<strong>se</strong>rve throughout all the <strong>se</strong>asons of the year. Namaqualand and the<br />

re<strong>se</strong>rve is well-known for its attraction in the flower <strong>se</strong>ason, but little emphasis is placed on<br />

the unique and special characteristics as nature progres<strong>se</strong>s through the<br />

www.springbokinfo.co.za/Naturere<strong>se</strong>rves.htmearly cycle.<br />

Try not to become a man of<br />

success but a man of value.<br />

~Albert Einstein<br />

We visited the Goegap camping site for 3 nights<br />

in early December 2011. It is situated clo<strong>se</strong> to<br />

the entrance gate, with a beautiful view across<br />

20<br />

the end of the local airstrip to the distant<br />

koppies. Apart from an over<strong>se</strong>as couple on the<br />

first night, we had the campsite to our<strong>se</strong>lves.<br />

Maximum and minimum temperatures were<br />

mild, and the wind in the sheltered campsite<br />

area was comfortable most of the time. What<br />

surpri<strong>se</strong>d us the most was the abundance of<br />

colorful flowers if you look clo<strong>se</strong> enough. The<br />

photos that we took certainly did not reflect a<br />

bleak, harsh en<strong>vir</strong>onment!<br />

The Goegap Nature Re<strong>se</strong>rve, under control of<br />

the Department of En<strong>vir</strong>onment and Nature<br />

Con<strong>se</strong>rvation, Northern Cape, is situated 15 km<br />

South East of Springbok. This is a "must-visit"<br />

for nature lovers and 4x4 enthusiasts, in all<br />

<strong>se</strong>asons, and has routes for <strong>se</strong>dan vehicles as<br />

well as 2 to 4 rated 4x4 routes. The camping<br />

area in the park is clean and well looked after,<br />

at an extremely reasonable fee.<br />

Accommodation and daily fees are REALLY<br />

very low. In fact, we will be surpri<strong>se</strong>d if you can<br />

do better for what you are getting here.<br />

Although there is no electricity, gas gey<strong>se</strong>rs are<br />

available in the neat and tidy ablution block.<br />

The caravan and tent stands have reed covered<br />

shelters against the sun, as well as elevated<br />

individual braai blocks. Typically of this area<br />

there is no grass underneath and a ground<br />

sheet is recommended.<br />

For tho<strong>se</strong> requiring a bit more comfort there are<br />

elementary huts available with 4 single beds<br />

clo<strong>se</strong>r to the dry riverbed with more shady<br />

trees. Little free-standing ablution blocks <strong>se</strong>rve<br />

the<strong>se</strong> huts on an individual basis.<br />

There is certainly enough to <strong>se</strong>e and<br />

experience even in December! I was too slow to<br />

take a photo of the Gemsbok that entered the<br />

campsite during our stay!<br />

From a weather point of view it is worth noting<br />

that in Springbok the highest average midday<br />

and night-time temperatures occur during<br />

February, with January being a clo<strong>se</strong> <strong>se</strong>cond.<br />

December and January are recorded as the<br />

months with the lowest (for all practical<br />

purpo<strong>se</strong>s none) average rainfall. Average<br />

maximum temperatures are in the low thirties.<br />

Springbok is under the influence of the cold<br />

Atlantic Ocean lying only 80 km to the West in a<br />

straight line. (Christo Conradie)<br />

Contact details for Goegap Nature Re<strong>se</strong>rve<br />

027 718 9907<br />

goegap.jonk@telkomsa.net<br />

Meraai gaan ná die oggend-kerkdiens in<br />

trane na haar pastoor toe.<br />

Hy vra: ―Wat is fout, Meraai?‖<br />

―My man het gisteraand gesterf,‖ sê sy huilend.<br />

Die pastoor sê: ―My genade, dis verskriklik. Het<br />

hy enige laaste versoek gehad, Meraai?‖<br />

―Ja, pastoor.‖<br />

―Wat was dit, Meraai?‖ 20<br />

―Hy het gesê: ‗Meraai, sit as<strong>se</strong>blief die rewolwer<br />

neer.‘‖<br />

16<br />

20

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