Cape West Coast Flowers

The Cape West Coast is known for many things - its pristine beaches, quaint seaside towns and rich cultural history among them – but come spring time, it plays host to the greatest flower show on earth as the areas natural wild flowers begin to bloom. Come August/September the West Coast is generally in full bloom and visitors from around the world flock to the region to catch the show.

Here are some of the best spots to view these magnificent flowers in all their glory.

Boasting spectacular views across the cityscape and coastline, including one of the few in the world where you can see two World Heritage Sites, Table Mountain and Robben Island, the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve is largely considered to be the official beginning of the Cape West Coast flora route.

Where: Cape Farms, just north of Blaauwberg on the R27 or Otto Du Plessis Drive
Contact: +27 (0)21 554 0957 | +27 (0)21 444 0454 (Eerstesteen Resort)

The Darling Renosterveld Reserve is open all year round and is free to all visitors, but the best time to visit is between July and October when the flowers start to bloom.

Where: Darling, on the R304
Contact: +27 (0)22 492 3361, info@darlingtourism.co.za | www.darlingtourism.co.za

While not large in size, this fantastic reserve is a gem for flower-watchers with large displays of springtime flowers bursting from a wide variety of veld types.

Where: Darling, on the R304
Contact: +27 (0)22 492 3361 | info@darlingtourism.co.za | www.darlingtourism.co.za

Situated near the Tienie Versfeld Wild Flower Reserve, the Groenekloof Reserve offers a variety of flowers including Hermannia (lanterns-Poproos), Arctotis (daisies), Drossera (Snotroesie), Chlorophytum and Moraeari tripetala (blue).

Where: Darling, (R315 alongside the SPCA premises)
Contact: +27 (0)22 492 3361 | info@darlingtourism.co.za | www.darlingtourism.co.za

Open to the public during the flower season, the Waylands Wildflower Reserve is home to around 300 species of flowers with fields of Blue Flaks (Heliophila), Ixia and Arums making themselves visible from the roof. The Waylands Wildflower Reserve is part of the critically endangered Lowland Fynbos Biome, of which less than 1% remains.

Where: Off the R307 which runs between Mamre and Darling.
Contact: +27 (0)22 492 3361 | info@darlingtourism.co.za | www.darlingtourism.co.za

The reserve contains a seasonally wet, Swartland Granite Renosterveld area of approximately 10 hectares with one of the last populations of a critically endangered orchid species called pteryogodium cruciform.

Where: Next to the R307 on the way to Mamre,
Contact: +27 (0)22 492 3361 | info@darlingtourism.co.za | www.darlingtourism.co.za

One of the most visited flower hotspots in the Cape West Coast, the Postberg Flower Reserve is not always open to the public, but this is to make sure it’s as undisturbed as possible until spring, when it truly rewards the wait. Apart from the unbelievable show put on by the flowers, you should also keep an eye out for zebra, wildebeest, antelope, ostrich, mongoose, Rock hyrax, snakes, birds and tortoises.

Opening dates: 1 August – 30 September
Where: West Coast National Park, Langebaan, Cape West Coast
Contact: +27 (0)22 772 2144

Paternoster is one of the most popular villages along the West Coast, well-known for its warm, generous and hospitable people. Come spring, it is also a great place to view the flowers.

Where: Paternoster, R399
Contact: +27 (0)22 752 2323 | info@paternoster.info | www.paternoster.info

Just five minutes from Paternoster, the Cape Columbine Nature reserve is home to an abundance of flora and fauna as well as the last manned lighthouse in South Africa, which was built on Castle Rock in 1936.

Where: Paternoster, R399
Contact: +27 22 752 2323 | info@paternoster.info | www.paternoster.info

Surrounded by delicate fynbos and waving green wheat in winter, Hopefield is an historic town on the Cape West Coast. Every August, the popular Hopefield Fynbos Show depicts the breath taking and diverse flora of the region. To see indigenous flora at ground level, walk the Langrietvlei and Helderwater trails on farms near the town.

Where: Hopefield Sports Centre, R45
Contact: +27 (0)22 723 1720