<strong>Spring rain: </strong>For much of the year, the land around Niewoudtville is desolate. But after spring rains, it explodes with flowers.
Spring rain: For much of the year, the land around Niewoudtville is desolate. But after spring rains, it explodes with flowers.
Mandie Kotze
<strong>Old town:</strong> Located in the Northern Cape, Nieuwoudtville was founded in 1897 by a farmer named Nieuwoudt.
Old town: Located in the Northern Cape, Nieuwoudtville was founded in 1897 by a farmer named Nieuwoudt.
Mandie Kotze
<strong>Bulb capital:</strong> The town is known as the "bulb capital of the world" do to the proliferation of blooms. According to locals, there are some areas where up to 25,000 bulbs grow in one square meter of soil.
Bulb capital: The town is known as the "bulb capital of the world" do to the proliferation of blooms. According to locals, there are some areas where up to 25,000 bulbs grow in one square meter of soil.
Mandie Kotze
<strong>Surreal scenes: </strong>"There is something surreal about it. You can't quite believe that this arid earth can produce something so magnificent," says Arzelle van der Merwe, who visited in 2019.<br />
Surreal scenes: "There is something surreal about it. You can't quite believe that this arid earth can produce something so magnificent," says Arzelle van der Merwe, who visited in 2019.
Mandie Kotze
<strong>Must-see: </strong>"Visiting Nieuwoudtville literally is a bucket list experience," says Craig Taljaardt, tour guide and owner of Capey Tours, who has witnessed the wonder this region inspires in visitors for nine years. <br />
Must-see: "Visiting Nieuwoudtville literally is a bucket list experience," says Craig Taljaardt, tour guide and owner of Capey Tours, who has witnessed the wonder this region inspires in visitors for nine years.
Mandie Kotze
<strong>Quiver trees: </strong>The nearby Quiver Tree Forest is the largest colony of tree aloe (Aloidendron dichotomum) in the southern hemisphere.
Quiver trees: The nearby Quiver Tree Forest is the largest colony of tree aloe (Aloidendron dichotomum) in the southern hemisphere.
Mandie Kotze
<strong>Aroboreal armory: </strong>These peculiarly shaped aloes, which grow over eight meters high, got their name because their hollow branches were used as quivers for holding arrows by San and Khoi-Khoi hunters.
Aroboreal armory: These peculiarly shaped aloes, which grow over eight meters high, got their name because their hollow branches were used as quivers for holding arrows by San and Khoi-Khoi hunters.
Mandie Kotze
<strong>Splash down:</strong> After heavy rains, the Nieuwoudtville Waterfall springs into life. Measuring 90 meters, the waterfall cascades down the Doring River, leaving visitors with a "spectacular sight."
Splash down: After heavy rains, the Nieuwoudtville Waterfall springs into life. Measuring 90 meters, the waterfall cascades down the Doring River, leaving visitors with a "spectacular sight."
Mandie Kotze
<strong>Dining option: </strong>Blou Huis in Voortrekker Street is a fully licensed restaurant and hangout spot offering self-catering accommodation and live Afrikaans music.
Dining option: Blou Huis in Voortrekker Street is a fully licensed restaurant and hangout spot offering self-catering accommodation and live Afrikaans music.
Berto van Taak
<strong>Spire and sandstone: </strong>The neo-gothic Dutch Reformed Church on Kerk Street was built in 1906, just after the devastating Boer War. The church is made entirely from Table Mountain sandstone and is one of the last remaining churches in South Africa built with this material.
Spire and sandstone: The neo-gothic Dutch Reformed Church on Kerk Street was built in 1906, just after the devastating Boer War. The church is made entirely from Table Mountain sandstone and is one of the last remaining churches in South Africa built with this material.
Mandie Kotze
<strong>Another planet:</strong> The Starwors is steeped in the iconic themes and characters of the series, from Darth Vader to Yoda.
Another planet: The Starwors is steeped in the iconic themes and characters of the series, from Darth Vader to Yoda.
Expressions Photography
<strong>Flower phone: </strong>For many, organized tours are the best way to access Nieuwoudtville and its flowers. But if you're traveling privately, call the West Coast's flower hotline at (+27) 79 741 0113.
Flower phone: For many, organized tours are the best way to access Nieuwoudtville and its flowers. But if you're traveling privately, call the West Coast's flower hotline at (+27) 79 741 0113.
Mandie Kotze
<strong>Escape from the city: </strong>Nieuwoudtville has seen a migration boom in recent years, with city dwellers seeking a respite from the urban hustle and bustle.
Escape from the city: Nieuwoudtville has seen a migration boom in recent years, with city dwellers seeking a respite from the urban hustle and bustle.
Mandie Kotze
<strong>Floral fiesta: </strong>Red romulea sabulosa blooms are among the many wildflowers that erupt when flower season arrives.
Floral fiesta: Red romulea sabulosa blooms are among the many wildflowers that erupt when flower season arrives.
Mandie Kotze