Naries Guest Farm - Namakwa Retreat  

Naries has several nice surprises in store for its regulars. Firstly the road from Springbok, 27km away, has been tarred, making for quick access to the Goegap Nature Reserve, its beautiful plains scenery, its arid mountains and kopies, and its magical seasonal flower display ? 600 species. Then there are the three fabulous cottages, the Namaqua Mountain Suites, which have been constructed on the edge of a high escarpment with an extraordinary eagle?s eye view of the dramatic and barren mountains that march off to the sea 70km away at Kleinzee. The architecture is in the form of a domed cottage, which echoes the style of local Nama dwellings, and is perfectly integrated with the round granite kopies of the area. Their exterior simplicity however is deceptive, for the interiors are vast and luxurious, while retaining some very natural features: the almost woven texture of the walls of the cottage, for example, and the bare rocks which erupt into the space as bed heads or in the sublime bathrooms. The old Cape Dutch manor, where dinners are served, also houses some fine bedrooms. The house has recently been refurnished and redecorated and the walls, painted in plain colours, offset the 1930s furniture perfectly. Naries recommends various day excursions to explore the beauty of Namaqualand: De Beers Diamond Mines, 4x4 Shipwreck Experience, Goegap Nature Reserve, Namaqua and Richtersveld National Parks. Also, make sure you book well in advance for the desert flower season!