Kliprand

These pictures were taken on a round trip from Bitterfontein to Kamieskroon via Kliprand and Leliefontein. The route passes through the upper desert-like reaches of the Knersvlakte edging the dry Bushmanland. The vegetation was sparse and consisted of plants adapted to harsh conditions.

Kliprand was the name given to this section, because it was the town lying at the approximate centre of the trip through the inland route between Bitterfontein and Kamieskroon. The route passes along the boundary of the three vegetation types: the Knersvlakte, the Klipkoppe and Bushmanland. In just the few hours of the round trip, this change was noticeable.

The pebbled Knersvlakte gave way to the more thickly sanded earth approaching Bushmanland. The vegetation became even sparser, with many more tufts of grass than previously observed. This area is however still reasonably moist in comparison to the true Bushmanland area further to the northeast. There it is extremely dry with many years of drought, made even drier by harsh sand-laden wind. As the road headed toward Leliefontein, the vegetation became thicker as the road returned to the Klipkoppe.