For a few precious weeks each year - from early August until end-September - the fields, farms, wetlands, and dunes of the Western Cape burst into a magnificent riot of colour as the wildflowers come into bloom. It's a short-lived period, during which bloomers and boomers, Gen Xers and Zs hop into their preferred modes of transport to come and witness the wonder of the West Coast's wildflowers...
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Postberg and West Coast National Park
Only open during springtime, Postberg is an almost completely undisturbed floral landscape in the West Coast National Park, open 9am and 5pm during August and September (peak flower months).
Distance from Cape Town: Around 1 hour and 30 minutes
Floral expectations: Daisies, sporries and magriets.
Closest town: Langebaan
Where to stay: Whaler's Way in Churchhaven, which has a veranda right on the sandy shore and an obligatory hammock!
Where to eat: Die Strandloper in Langebaan.
Fun fact: Eve's Trail is a two-and-a-half-day hike through the park that traces the unmistakable human footfalls (in rock that was formerly sea sand) that are said to have belonged to a young woman who lived 117 000 years ago.
Entry During flower season, August - September 2023:
R104 (SA citizens and residents with ID), R52 (children 2 - 11 years).
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Ramskop Nature Reserve
This reserve is well worth a visit, with the Cederberg mountains and orange groves as its backdrop.
Distance from Cape Town: Around 2 hours and 30 minutes
Floral expectations: Daisies, sporries, sugarbos and proteas.
Closest town: Clanwilliam
Where to stay: Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge
Where to eat: Veldskoendraai
Entry R38 (adults), R27 (pensioners), R14 (children), Free (children under 10 years)
Contact: 027 482 8000
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The Renosterveld Reserve
Just above Darling Primary School lies this charming 20-hectare flower reserve, where travellers can enjoy a plethora of spring flowers, as well bird-watching. Oh, and keep a keen eye out for the red-bellied tortoises.
Distance from Cape Town: Around 1 hour
Floral expectations: a variety of renosterbos, bellendini, kapokbos and vygies.
Closest town: Darling
Where to stay: Darling Lodge Guesthouse
Where to eat: 1910 The Old Forge
Fun fact: The above vegetation is what used to cover the crop fields and vineyards before they were cleared for agricultural activities.
Entry: Free
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Citrusdal
Found on the N7, this is a family-favourite holiday spot for its hiking, camping, zip-lining and rock-climbing opportunities.
Distance from Cape Town: Around 2 hours
Floral expectations: Fields of maartblom, bloedblom, daises and fynbos
Closest town: Citrusdal
Where to stay: Cederkloof Botanical Retreat
Where to eat:Â Salome's Grapevine Coffee Shop
Fun Fact: Citrusdal is famous for its hot springs, which according to legend, were created when a mighty ox named Kolberg stamped his hoof in the location where The Baths Hot Springs resort now lies (one of the resorts' baths is named Kolberg in honor of the mythical ox).
Entry: Free
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Harold Porter Botanical Garden
Distance from Cape Town: Around 1 hour and 30 minutes
Floral expectations: From proteas to daisies and orchids, this garden has it all - indigenously speaking, of course.
Closest town: Betty's Bay
Where to stay: Pringle Bay Villa or Restio River House
Where to eat: Bistro 365
Fun fact: The zigzag paths and the waterfall trail, still in use today, were marked out by Harold Porter himself.
Entry: R50 (adults), R30 (students), R40 (pensioners), R20 (children 7 - 18 years), R45 (Botanical Society members)
Contact 028 272 9311, Harold.Porter.NBG@sanbi.org.za
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Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden