- Noord-Kaap
- Leliefontein-Kamiesberg
- Leliefontein
Leliefontein, Leliefontein-Kamiesberg, Noord-Kaap
- Inligting
- Winkels & Dienste (1)
Leliefontein lies just east of the N7 between Garies and Kamieskroon, in the harsh desert climate region of the Namaqualand.
Leliefontein is an attractive little village with many blue gum trees and a few historical buildings. It is one of the oldest settlements in Namaqualand, tucked away in the Kamiesberg mountains that possesses a “lost-in-time” charm. There is something about the old sign at the entrance to the town that has made travellers stop and take an extra look at what has been described as looking like a “crumpled old man on crutches”.
Leliefontein may be on a road less travelled, but it is these back road, little towns and bright flowers that reveal the beauty, the history and the secrets of the Namaqualand. The Daisies Route and Shipwreck Route run right through Leliefontein and end in Kleinzee, a trip well worth taking when the flowers are in bloom!
The Leliefontein Lodge is about the only place to stay overnight and the Lodge is basically doubles as the tourism info centre for the town.
Things to do and see
- Namaqua National Park
- Shipwreck & Daisies Flower Route
- Leliefontein Mission Station
- Leliefontein Methodist Church & Parsonage
- Leliefontein Pass
- Lt CJ Darter’s Grave
- Hiking & MTB Trails
- 4 X 4 Trails
Climate
Leliesfontein receives approximately 149 mm of rain annually, there is virtually no rainfall during the year.
Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 15˚C and 34˚C.
Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 6˚C and 24˚C.
Transport
There are flights into Upington Airport approximately 476 km away via the N14 and into Cape Town International Airport, approximately 506 km away along the N7. Car hire facilities are available at the Airport.
History
The town started out as the kraal of a Nama chief, called Wildschut (wild shot). Nama herdsmen and their families lived in little round beehive matjieshuise in these hills for centuries before the Methodists arrived and made it a mission village in 1816. The town was also was known as a 'coloured reserve' during the apartheid years.
The town was named after the natural spring, Lily Spring, which was the reason for the towns’ origin.