Every year people from all over the world travel to Cape Town to experience the beautiful blooms that flower from August to September. You may think that spending a day looking at wildflowers is absolutely boring, but we have compiled a list of some of the best stops to view the famous Cape Town flowers.
1. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
The Kirstenbosch Gardens is one of the biggest attractions in Cape Town and it’s set on the slopes of the beautiful Table Mountain with some of the most picturesque views around. If you would like, you have the option of a guided tour through the gardens so you can learn about the history and flora that the beautiful gardens have to offer. But, when you are in Kirstenbosch Gardens, don’t forget to visit the Tree Canopy Walkway or as the locals call it, the “Boomslang”.
2. The Elgin Open Gardens
This year there are 18 open gardens in the Elgin and Bot River districts over the two weekends when the flowers are in full bloom. The gardens that you will be able to view range from large established country gardens, some of which are over 50 years old, too young recently planted gardens in villages and smallholdings. All the gardens you can see are an hour’s drive from Cape Town.
3. Darling Wild Flower Show
This year is the 100th Darling Wild Flower Show and it takes place from the 14th to the 17th of September. It celebrates an integral part of the Cape Fynbos Kingdom as well as being able to see an array of beautiful displays and a shuttle that will be driving through Darling and stopping at places of interest.
4. Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens
This beautiful garden is situated in the centre of the coastal fynbos area where the fynbos is at their richest. The gardens are set between the mountains and the ocean and it’s the classic Western Cape garden. The gardens have an abundance of fynbos, beautiful trails, waterfalls and amber-coloured pools for you to look through. Take your time and explore the gardens, the beautiful fynbos and the views.
5. West Coast National Park
The West Coast National Park is situated about 1.5 hours from Cape Town so it’s the perfect day trip if you have the time. Each year the West Coast National Park bursts with colour and the unbelievable wildflowers blanket the entire area. The official flower season starts from the 1st of August until the 30th of September and the protected area of the Postberg is open to the public.
6. Hermanus Flower Festival
The Hermanus Flower Festival is held every September and this year it’s the 60th anniversary of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. The four-day event takes place from the 22nd to the 25th of September and guests can expect to see beautiful floral displays, environmental exhibits and 400 fynbos specimens that are indigenous to the area. The best part of this flower show is that you can take the flowers home with you, which are all the blooms that you will see are locally grown.
7. The Renosterveld Reserve
The Renosterveld Reserve is just above the Darling Primary School in the beautiful 20-hectare flower reserve. Travellers from all over enjoy a plethora of beautiful spring flowers and birdwatching. You may even be lucky enough to spot one of the resident red-bellied tortoises. You can expect to see a variety of flowers ranging from renosterbos, bellendini, kaokbos and vygies. Your trip to Renosterveld can include a fun walk around the reserve if you’re feeling up to it, just remember to pack your walking shoes.
8. Ramskop Nature Reserve
This nature reserve is set in the Cederberg region that has some of the best displays of flowers during the flower season. It backdrops. s well worth the visit as you can take in the beauty of the Cederberg mountains with their orange groves as a backdrop. You can expect to see daisies, sporries, sugarbos and the national flower, proteas. The nature reserve is around two and a half hours from Cape Town so it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy the scenery, have a picnic or view the abundant bird and wildlife.
9. Citrus
Citrus is found along the N7 just two hours outside of Cape Town and it is the perfect area for hiking, camping, zip-lining and rock climbing. However, if you too are in the area from August or September it is perfect for viewing the flowers. You can expect to see fields of maartblom, bloedblom, daisies and fynbos. You can also do a spot of bird-watching and fishing or soak yourself in the natural hot springs.
With this guide, you can make a weekend viewing the beautiful flowers in Cape Town that so many people have grown to love.
