Namaqualand is a rugged mountainous plateau in the northwest of Northern Cape province, straddling the sandy coastal plain to the west. The town of Springbok is considered to be the area's capital. The coastal plain is a mining area, much like that of southern Namibia. The cold Benguela current that runs along the coast is the main source of the barren desert-like climate in the area.

The best time to visit the area is from August to September/October, after the winter rains turn the whole area into a colorful flowerbed. During the winter, temperatures in the higher regions can drop to about 5°C, while during the summer the average hovers around 30°C. The only public transportation in the area are a few buses that run on the main N7 route between Cape Town and the Namibian border.