All roads lead to Sandhof’s lilies
A highlight on the annual Namibian travel calendar, following moderate rainfall in the South, is a visit to Sandhof farm when pink and white lilies bloom in a clay pan.Sandhof has announced that the lilies will bloom soon, and that gates will open for visitors wishing to visit the pan tomorrow and close again on Sunday.
The Sandhof lilies bloom in their hundreds of thousands only when enough rain has fallen to fill the pan. The plants need approximately 15 to 30 cm of water to bloom, which occurs only every few years. When the lilies do bloom, they do so for only six to eight days. Due to the short period and remote location of the farm, it is extremely rare to witness. Once the plants have finished blooming, the farm animals are allowed into the pen to eat the lily heads and stalks.
Visitors can view the breathtaking natural phenomenon of the lush lily field daily between 07:00 and 19:00. No lilies may be picked or destroyed, and driving is prohibited in the pan or among the lilies, with orange flags and signs to be followed.
Camping is not allowed, and there are no ablution facilities. However, food and drinks are available at the entrance gate, and for anyone who wishes to braai, fires are only permitted in portable braais. Dustbins are provided, and no litter may be left behind.
Sandhof is located on the D861 gravel road, about 37 km from Maltahöhe, and sedan vehicles can drive on the 40 km gravel road.
Toad from Maltahöhe to Sandhof will likely be busy over the weekend, thus drivers should proceed with caution.
Rare display of nature
The Sandhof lilies are examples of the bushveld vlei lily (Crinum paludosum).
“This stunning bulbous plant is known for its tall, slender stem and large, trumpet-shaped flowers. However, what makes this lily truly unique is its rare blooming behaviour, which occurs only after significant rainfall in the region,” Kyle Goetsch wrote in an article for the Tracks For Africa blog.
“This is an extremely arid area and does not receive sufficient rainfall every rainy season to allow the bulbs to blossom. Thus, every year the pan does turn into a field of lilies, is a very special, rare occurrence, and there is only room for six to eight days of viewing before the lilies wither.”