Cape Town - Nothing mirrors the promise of spring like Mother Nature’s own floral explosion as the Cape’s wild flowers burst into colour each spring.
In Cape Town, highway verges, road islands and green parks show off their own seasonal signals with arum lilies, disas and daisies.
From a day out to a weekend trip or extended stay; Cape Town and her surrounding flower-gazing fields are the perfect place to spend time in nature this August and September.
With such a limited window of opportunity it’s best to go sooner rather than later, before the rolling hills of colour disappear ahead of summer.
WHERE TO VIEW THE FLORAL DISPLAYS
SANParks Sights of Interest
Flower Season at South African National Parks (SANParks) peaks during August and September. Some of the featured viewing sites include Agulhas, Bontebok, Namaqua, Tankwa Karoo and West Coast Parks where adults pay around R 30 – R 50 and children an affordable R 15 – R 30 to gain entry into the park.
http://www.sanparks.co.za/
A two hour drive from Cape Town, will take you into the heart of the West Coast National Park, one of SANParks’ favourite viewing sites amongst locals. You may not be the only one with the idea but there are lots of great spots to lunch at and explore in the area, so make a day of it. The Postberg section of West Coast National Park is open only during flower season and Geelbek Restaurant creates lovely picnic baskets to order.
In the Cape Town Area
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden hosts two daily walks, at 10h00 and 14h00 from Monday to Friday. There is an additional walk on Tuesdays at 11h00 and one walk on Saturdays at 10h00. Led by The Botanical Society's volunteer garden guides, each walk is adapted to meet the interests of the group. Walks are free but the garden entrance fee applies. The latest addition to the garden, a 130m long Tree Canopy Walkway, also known as the Boomslang, can also be enjoyed while at Kirstenbosch at no additional cost.
http://www.sanbi.org/events/garden-walks-kirstenbosch-nbg-week-0
The Vineyard Hotel in Newlands is home to a two and half hectare botanical garden where horticulturist and environmentalist Chris Van Zyl offers daily Garden Walks of 90-minutes starting at 09h30. Tours cost R60 per person.
http://www.vineyard.co.za/
Up the West Coast
The Hopefield Fynbos Show takes place on the last weekend of August each year at the Hopefield Sports Club on the banks of the Zout River and is approximately 120kms from Cape Town along the R45 route. This destination creates the ultimate journey on which you are likely to spot carpets of flowers under the sun. Contact Lizelle at Hopefield Tourism for more information 022 723 1720/022 7830856.
http://capewestcoastpeninsula.co.za/hopefield/
The annual Clanwilliam Flower Show opens August 28, and runs until September 6, 2014. Tickets can be purchased at the door for R 30 per adult, R 25 for pensioners and R 5 for children. Opening times are from 09h00 to 18h00 daily.
http://www.clanwilliam.info/events.php
Rain or shine, the 97th Darling Wildflower Show will take place from the 19 to 21 September 2014 at the Darling Club, where one can expect to see diverse vegetation displays of about 1 200 species. Adults pay R 40, while pensioners and children pay R 25
http://www.darlingwildflowers.co.za/
To receive up to date information on some of the best sites in the West Coast area, contact the West Coast Flowerline on 071 320 7146 from 08h00 to 20h00, Monday to Sunday.
In the Cape Overberg
The Cape Floral Kingdom Expo 2014 takes place from 28 to 31 August at the Mega Park in Bredasdorp with a display of endangered wildlife flowers under 10 000m of cover. There will be workshops and seminars, and tickets are available via Computicket at R 100 each.
http://online.computicket.com/web/event/cape_floral_kingdom_expo_2014/798280446
Head to The Hermanus Botanical Society Flower Festival 2014 from Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 September at the Fernkloof Nature Reserve and you might spot some whales along the way too. Entrance per adult is R 20 and children under twelve go free. The theme for this year will be Plant Explorers, Then and Now. See hundreds of local flowers with some flower bunches and plants available for purchase. Craft, food stalls and kid-friendly activities will have you staying longer.
http://www.hermanus-festivals.com/flower-festival.html
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden, in the coastal fynbos region of Betty’s Bay, is renowned for its waterfalls and amber pools. Visit now to see the garden at its lush and blooming best. http://www.sanbi.org/node/4925
CUSTOMISED TOURS
For customised tours of Cape Town’s scenic landscape including vegetation tours, please contact:
Namakwa Tours http://www.namaquatours.com/
GRF Tours http://www.travelhealthier.com/
Cape Tours with Mac http://www.capewithmac.co.za/
NexStop Tours http://www.nexstop.co.za/