Cape Town - The end to the winter cold is in sight, and there’s nothing that proves it more than the bright yellow and white of the blossoming daisies marking the start of the spring flower season at Postberg in the West Coast National Park.
And this week s
ucculents and other flowers were giving visitors to the park a magnificent display.
The park, near Yzerfontein, is always a popular tourist attraction for flower lovers, and this year promises to be no different.
Carmen Gagiano, section ranger at Postberg, said the number of floral species in the park was huge and impossible to quantify.
However, among them you’re certain to see the gousbloom (African daisy), Bokbaai vygie, white rain daisies, yellow suring and magriet.
The brilliant pinks of the many succulents add bold colour to the landscape, ushering out the remaining days of winter.
Fauna are also shaking off the cold, with herds of eland and bontebok being seen regularly in the area.
Gagiano adds that visitors can also expect to see – if they’re lucky – gemsbok, black wildebeest and bat-eared fox.
“Flower season (which runs officially from August 1 to September 30) in the West Coast National Park draws many visitors, especially at weekends, when many people come with their families to view the animals and flowers and enjoy nature.”
Cape tourism, economic development and finance MEC Alan Winde has urged locals as well as tourists nationally and internationally to make sure to add the West Coast to their list of must-sees.
The park offers two self-guided hiking trails in the area during flower season, one of which is a one-day trail and the other a two-day, overnight option.
Tours through the park are now available. - Weekend Argus