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Your complete guide to spring flowers in the Western Cape
Oceans of daisies, carpets of wildflowers and pro tips for maximising flower season
Last updated: 26 September 2022
There’ll be a kaleidoscope of colours carpeting the Tankwa National Park, an ocean of daisies in the Postberg section of the West Coast National Park, even Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens will be aflame with colour this flower season. Plus, discover two lesser-known flower hotspots that you don’t even need to leave the city to enjoy.
GO SEE FIELDS OF CANARY YELLOW
The bright yellow landscapes that stretch from the Swartland to the Overberg and Southern Cape (Swellendam) in spring are a major attraction and Instagram opportunity.
The canola fields bloom between August until the end of September and blanket the landscape in canary yellow in vivid contrast to the blue sky.
More than a pretty photo moment, canola plants produce seeds that are used to make canola oil, which is naturally cholesterol-free and high in Omega 3.
B-well Foods is making it possible for us to celebrate the canola fields in our Festival of Yellow, which showcases the beauty and bounty of these fields, and celebrates the local product.
Here are 10 places you can spot the canola fields + 7 things you didn't know about the canola flower.
Fields of bold yellow as far as the eye can see blanket the landscape. Image: @radzphotography
WHERE THE WEST COAST FLORA BEGINS
Blaauwberg Nature Reserve is one of the very few places where you’ll get a view of two national heritage sites. At the top of the Blaauwberg Hill, you can see both Table Mountain and Robben Island.
The reserve boasts a stunning array of flora, particularly between August and October. To discover everything the reserve has to offer, pack your hiking boots and trek through the reserve’s Coastal Hiking Trail or The Two Hills Trail. There you’ll find the most intact and diverse lowland vegetation in Cape Town, with over 560 plant species. Keep your eyes peeled for the three threatened vegetation types: the Cape Flats dune strandveld, Swartland shale renosterveld and Cape Flats sand fynbos.
Lunch: If you’d like to have lunch with a view, On The Rocks Restaurant serves a range of freshly caught seafood. Share the Plate of The Sea Platter with your family or partner.
Overnight: There are plenty of guesthouses, villas and hotels in the area.
Distance: Blaauwberg Nature reserve is just 30km from Cape Town’s city centre.
WILDFLOWERS AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE
If you want to see bright and beautiful colours from yellows, purples, oranges and reds, pay a visit to the Postberg section of the West Coast National Park. Between August and September, the wildflowers here are unbeatable. These blooms cover vast areas, making it seem like there’s an ocean of daisies and bulbs.
Pro tip: Although the Postberg section is home to the majority of wildflowers, there are more hiding out at the Seeberg Lookout Point. Flower season only comes once a year, so take your time exploring the whole of the West Coast National Park.
Lunch: If you’re feeling peckish, venture a little further inwards to the end of the Langebaan Lagoon. There you’ll not only find a flock of wading birds, but the Geelbek Restaurant which serves up a delicious Cape Malay Chicken Curry.
Overnight: The cottages within the park are available for overnight stays. Book online via sanparks.org.
Distance: The West Coast National Park is about an hour out of Cape Town.
CARPETS OF DAZZLING YELLOWS, PURPLES AND REDS
Don’t be fooled by the Tankwa Karoo National Park’s dry and arid climate. There is plenty of plant life blooming here. The park is home to the richest succulent plant population in the world with over 780 species to discover.
If you are looking for a pop of colour, the best time to catch the Tankwa Karoo National Park’s dazzling display of wildflowers is between August and September. In the western section of the park, you’ll see carpets of yellow and white wildflowers stretching as far as the horizon . Venture a little further to the Roggeveld Escarpment and soak up deep purples, reds, pinks and oranges.
Lunch: Make sure you stop off at the quaint little Tankwa Padstal for freshly homemade food and its famous homemade ginger beer.
Overnight: Tankwa Karoo National Park has a range of cottages, guest houses and camping facilities you can check out online via sanparks.org.
Distance: The park is just under four hours from Cape Town.
HIKE FAR ENOUGH AND YOU MAY FIND A SHIPWRECK
Head east to see the rich and diverse vegetation of the Agulhas National Park. What makes this area so unique is its ability to support a wide range of wetland plant species. The Agulhas plains are known to have as much plant diversity as tropical forests. Because of this, you can spot unique vegetation such as the limestone fynbos. Keep an eye out for one of the endemic species, the Elim fynbos.
You can also track down blooming wildflowers by foot. The park’s Rasperpunt Hiking Trail is open for visitors. It starts and ends at the Meisho Maru shipwreck.
Lunch: If you’re in the mood for some fresh fish, L’Agulhas Seafoods is just a minute away from the national park. Share a seafood platter with salmon, yellowtail or tuna.
Overnight: Accommodation is available in the park, but gets booked up fast. Otherwise, check out local guest houses and cottages which surround the national park in Struisbaai or in the coastal village of L'Agulhas.
Distance: The Agulhas National Park is about a three hour drive from Cape Town.
View this post on InstagramFYNBOS GARDEN #cyclinglife #hikingallday #mtb #strandveld #capeagulhas #nationalparks #wolwegat
GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL FLORA
If you’d prefer to enjoy the flowers closer to home, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is the perfect place to visit with over 7 000 plant species. Here you can find some rare and threatened flora, from the gold-dusted red nerine to the critically endangered cycad.
The best time to visit is at the end of winter between August and November, when the popular Fynbos Walk is alive with colour with blooming proteas, sugarbushes, pincushions and cone bushes. Remember to keep an eye out for some of the more rare proteas, such as the Spiderhead species. If you’re up for it, on your next visit grab your takkies and hike one of the many Kirstenbosch Garden routes.
Lunch: The Fynkos Tea Room is open for visitors and serves an extensive selection of baked goods, sandwiches, salads and snacks.
Overnight: Kirstenbosch Gardens is open for hikes, walks and exercise every day between 8am and 6pm. You can pre-book your tickets online via webtickets.co.za.
Distance: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is about 13km from Cape Town city centre, in Newlands.
SEE BRIGHT BUNCHES OF FLOWERS
Just half an hour away in Brackenfell you can find up to 300 plant species. There are carpets of bright Dimorphotheca pluvialis, which most of us will know as the Cape daisy. You can spot more colourful and bright blooms along the paths. While walking, keep your eyes peeled for the park's 10 endemic and threatened plant species, such as the Lachenalia aloides, Lampranthus glaucus and Orbea variegata.
Lunch: Before you reach the park stop off for a bite at Rio Grande Restaurant Pub and Grill. They serve an extensive menu of burgers, ribs, seafood and pizza.
Overnight: Take a look at a host of quaint guest houses and cottages dotted close to the nature reserve.
Distance: Bracken Nature Reserve is about a 30 minute drive out of Cape Town.
PRO TIPS FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF FLOWER VIEWING
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The best time to frolic through the wildflowers is in spring between August and September.
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Flowers are at their best in the afternoon sun, so don’t go bloom hunting on a cloudy day. Wait until the sun’s high in the sky (between 10:30am and 3:30pm is best).
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When missioning out around the Western Cape it’s always best to head out a bit earlier to avoid the crowds.
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For the safety of the visitors, fauna and flora it is best to pre-book your self-game drives, hikes, accommodation or restaurant reservations. This way the parks are able to plan for the number of people.
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For Further Reading
Get your tickets to the all NEW West Coast Saldanha Bay Air Show.
The Western Cape is known for its many beautiful day trips.
Making flower hunting top on your list for your weekend plans.
Discover even more hiking trails, animals, and vegetation at the West Coast National Park.
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