Port Nolloth
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| Location of Port Nolloth in South Africa! |
The faint smell of the morning mist, called “Malmokkie” by the local Nama people can be smelt to some distance over this semi-desert area of South Africa. The town Port Nolloth is situated in the north western corner of the Northern Cape and is definitely one of the towns in South Africa, which about 90% of the population within the country, doesn’t even know exists.
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| The "Malmokkie"on the Port Nolloth harbor... |
Port Nolloth and the neighboring McDougall’s Bay, are coastal holiday resort towns on the shores of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Both these destinations are very popular holiday destinations, offering the nature-lover, angler and diver a unique experience. Beaches also play a huge part in the town’s recreational activities and offers relaxation and entertainment for the whole family, of any social class. The main beach in McDougall’s Bay was awarded a prestige’s Blue Flag award in 2011, for excellence.
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| Beaches in Port Nolloth! |
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| Beaches in the neigboring McDougall's Bay. |
Another place of interest in Port Nolloth is the Oyster Farm, located on the outskirts of the town, here you can learn how oysters grow from a micro-organism and over a period of eight years develop in one of the world most sought after food products.
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| The Oyster Farm on the outskirts of Port Nolloth, where there can be learned about the oyster growing process. |
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| Match made in heaven... Fresh Oysters, White wine and olives -oysters are one of the worlds most sought after food products! |
Port Nolloth is the only holiday resort town on the ‘diamond coast’; the ‘coast’ also includes Kleinsee to the south and Alexander Bay to the north. The name ‘diamond coast’, originated from the diamond mines located in the nearby area of the West Coast. Most of the diamond mines were managed by De Beers Company in the 20th century, but unfortunately most of the mines where closed in the late 1990’s due to this natural resource running dry, leaving Kleinsee and Alexander Bay to become ghost towns, these towns didn’t have a ‘backup-plan’ if the diamonds ran dry.
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| The main export of the 'diamond coast'... |
Although you might think by know…
Port Nolloth equals beaches and old diamond mines (Port Nolloth = diamond mines + beaches)! In modern times yes, but the town originally was established in 1854 as an export for copper to the overseas market, but the original use of the town changed somewhat when the harbor’s entrance became, to narrow and Cape Town’s harbor proved to be the practical option, Shipwrecks in and around the town is evidence of this former major harbor in Southern Africa.
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| Port Nolloth Harbor, once used as a major exporting harbor in South Africa. |
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| Former railway that was used to bring copper from the mines, to Port Nolloth's harbour! |
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| Shipwrecks in and around Port Nolloth is evidence of this former major harbor in Southern Africa. |
Although not situated in this World Heritage Site, accredited by UNESCO since 2004, Port Nolloth makes for the main entrance to the Richtersveld National Trans Frontier Park, also known locally as the Ais-Ais National Park.
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| The magnificent site of the Richtersveld Trans Frontier Park, the 'Jewel of the Northern Cape'! |
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| Examples of the succulents in bloom during mid-August to mid-September in the Richtersveld National Transfrontier Park... |
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| The Richtersveld National Trans Frontier Park is home to the largest diversity of desert plants in the world! |
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| A nature-lovers dream destination- Richtersveld National Trans Frontier Park. |
This magnificent, desolate and forbidden landscape in this harsh environment makes this national park in my opinion the ‘Jewel of the Northern Cape’. This park is managed by SAN Parks and the indigenous, Nama people. The Richtersveld National Trans Frontier Park holds the world’s richest diversity in desert flora. These succulents are in bloom during the transition from winter to spring, from mid-August to mid-September, and the blooming site of these desert plants will be every nature-lover and photographers dream! Because of the rugged terrain the park is only accessible for 4x4-driven vehicles, and this activity probably holds the key to every adrenalin-junkies heart.
Although the Richtersveld Trans Frontier Park is relatively new, compared to the other national parks in South Africa, it’s definitely worthwhile to pay a visit to the park and experience this amazing natural wonder for yourself, tours through the park are available, with some companies for the people preferring to travel with trained guides.
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| The Richtersveld National Trans Frontier Park is only accessible for 4x4-driven vehicles. |
Port Nolloth is purely for relaxation and to get away from the ‘hustle- and bustle’ of the city. Although a small town, Port Nolloth offers a variety of activities for every age! Port Nolloth is a beach town you WON’T forget! The town will created a long lasting impression on you as a person. I would advise Port Nolloth for any tourist, nationally or internationally.
Till next time…
C.R.
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