Boesmans Uitkyk Nature Trails

Boesmans Uitkyk Nature Trails offers visitors the chance to experience the beautiful landscape of Namaqualand with its spectacular views, diverse vegetation and friendly people. The information trail on the Soebatsfontein communal land invites visitors to walk through the fascinating vegetation of the Succulent Karoo with its amazing flower display during spring.

Along the 11km long dust road between the Soebatsfontein village and the Boesmans Uitkyk Nature Trails you will find six information boards on the history of the Soebatsfontein village, the local land use type, soil, ecology and vegetation of the region.

For the Boesmans Uitkyk Nature Trails visitors may choose between two well-marked routes (each about 5km):

• A convenient panoramic path around the mountain from where there are marvellous views of the mountainous area of the Namaqualand in the east and the coast in the west of the trail. Along the trail fascinating plants can be observed (but not picked). A little brochure (to be purchased at the Soebatsfontein Information Centre) has interesting information about the different kinds of succulents, bulb plants, the vegetation in general, soil crusts, the use of plants etc; and
• The second trail is more challenging. The path guides visitors to the top of the mountain, passing fascinating plants, picturesque rock formations, and beautiful lichens covering rocks and allows you to have the breath taking view from the mountaintop.  Visitors may walk this trail on their own or get one of the trained tour guides who will provide interesting information about the nature and culture of the area (ask at the Soebatsfontein Information Centre). A colourful postcard with five different photographs of the plant and animal species that live in the area is the ideal souvenir and can be purchased at the Soebatsfontein Information Centre.

The trail is an initiative of the Soebatsfontein community in the western Namaqualand and the BIOTA Southern Africa biodiversity research project (www.biota-africa.org).

Development of the project:

The concept of developing a trail was discussed during a workshop on the future of the community in October 2002. The main objective was to develop alternative sources of income from the communal land besides sheep and goat farming.

The concept of developing tourism attractions in the area seemed to be promising as Soebatsfontein is situated in direct vicinity to the Namaqua National Park, which attracts thousands of tourists every year during the flower season (August / September). After the workshop in October 2002, a task team was formed that developed the ideas further. The preparations were made during 2003 and in July 2004 the infrastructure was put in place. In November 2004 the Boesmans Uitkyk Nature Trails were opened with a great event, the “Soebastfontein Fees”.  This ‘fees’ (festival) entailed an excursion to the trail, speeches, a dance show, braai (barbeque) and a dance party. The name of the path ('Boesmans Uitkyk', Afrikaans means 'bushmen’s look-out') is in honour of the Bushmen that used to live in the area.