Kammanassie to Swartberge

The Kammanassie Mountains lie in the eastern Little Karoo south of De Rust and to the west of Uniondale, still within the Cape Floristic Kingdom, the smallest and richest of the six proclaimed floristic kingdoms on earth.

This photo was taken from a Kammanassie foothill slope, looking northwards to the Swartberge (black mountains) on the horizon. Blue in the distance, as far-off mountains generally are, the Swartberge are dramatic at close range. Much to see there and breathtakingly beautiful, from whatever distance one gazes.

Kammanassie is a Khoi or San word meaning mountains of water. Several habitat types, largely fynbos related, characterise the vegetation of this area. Remarkable changes may be encountered in the plant species mix as one moves from one elevation to another (www.capenature.co.za).