The hills are alive with colourful blooms as wildflower season lights up parts of South Africa.
Crowds of travellers make their way to the many different locations one can experience the beauty of flower-abundant fields, and if you’d like to be one of them, here’s a little guide to help you out.
Where to see the wildflowers
You can visit many iconic locations to experience the wildflower season and more than appear in the list below. Remember that the flower bloom depends on the weather conditions of each specific region. Be sure to research the best time to see the flowers before you make any bookings.
1. West Coast National Park
The West Coast National Park near Langebaan is known for its Postberg Flower Reserve. As flowers have already begun to bloom, the best time to visit is between now, August, and September. Stay within the park borders on a houseboat, in a lodge, or set up your tent and camp. You also have an option to stay in one of the nearby towns and take day trips to the park.
READ: West Coast National Park gears up for stunning flower season
2. Tankwa Karoo National Park
Experience the unique desert flowers within the Karoo region between August and September. Stay in quaint cottages within the park or make use of the campsites.
3. Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
Stay within the Richtersveld Transfrontier Park at one of the campsites or a chalet to fully immerse yourself in the flower season. The beautiful desert flower spectacle this park offers takes place between mid-July and August but can often extend into September if you’re lucky.
READ: Rare encounters in the Richtersveld
4. Nieuwoudtville
Nieuwoudtville flowers are considered some of the best, one reason people drive the four-hour drive from Cape Town. The lodges and guesthouses available are comfortable and perfect for your flower adventures.
5. Namaqualand
The Namaqualand is world renowned for the incredible display of flowers it displays every year. You have the option to use the camping facilities in the national park or stay in lodges and guesthouses in the neighbouring towns.
6. Biedouw Valley
Biedouw Valley is one of the best spots to experience the Cape flowers. The dry land changes colour as the flowers start to bloom after good winter rains, and local farmers keep their herds from grazing in the valley to preserve the flowers between August and September.
Wildflower Festivals
The wildflower festivals celebrate the arrival of Spring and the blooms that come with it. You can enjoy floral displays, indigenous landscaped gardens, workshops, and cafés.
1. Darling Wildflower Show
The 2023 Darling Wildflower Show takes place from 15 and 17 September at the Darling Museum. Tickets include access to the landscaped wildflower exhibition, the market place, and the Darling Museum.
2. Clanwilliam Flower Show
From 25 August to 3 September at the Blommekerk, you can attend the 2023 Clanwilliam Wild Flower Festival. Community members have been hard at work to ensure a successful and enjoyable event.
3. ‘Celebration of Fynbos’ in Hermanus
Hermanus Botanical Society is holding its annual ‘Celebration of Fynbos’ festival at Fernkloof Nature Reserve. The event takes place from the 23 to 25 September this year.
4. Hopefield Fynbos Skou
The Hopefield Fynbos Skou is held between the 24 and 27 August and is one of the biggest community events. It’s an event ‘for the community, by the community,’ and aims to emphasize the need to conserve the Fynbos biodiversity zones.
5. The Bergrivier Flower Affair in Piketberg
Escape to the breathtaking Bergrivier to experience mountains, wildflowers, and the Flower Affair Festival. The event takes place between 21 and 26 August and is filled with different activities, like a morning bike tour or afternoon walks along Piketberg’s Historic Route.
Best way to experience the wildflowers
The best way to experience the wildflowers is entirely up to the visitors.
The wildflowers can be experienced through self-drives, walking trails, or bicycle routes. If you’d prefer a more comprehensive and immersive experience, private guided tours take you through different fields, farmlands, and wild valleys. Tour operators include African Travel Gateway, West Coast Way, and Cullinan Guided Journeys.
Things to note
- The best time to see the flowers is in full daylight when they open up fully beneath the sun. Catch them when the sun is at its highest, between 10:30 and 15:30.
- When we say crowds descend among the flowers, we mean crowds. Try to plan to visit one of the wildflower locations during the week when visitors are fewer.
- It is important to try and arrive as early at the gates as possible. Note gate opening times and get there before they open.
- You can leave your car and walk among the flowers, but do not pick them.
Pictures: Alamy
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