Come early August, the western coast of South Africa transforms from the normally dry and arid landscape to a vibrant and colourful facade that bursts into a multitude of colours. This natural wonder of the world lasts until October and attracts photographers, artists, botanists and sightseers across the globe every year. The first flowers pop up along the North and the rest follow suit to the South soon afterwards.
If you’re planning on making your way to this region, make sure you visit the Namaqua National Park which features a magical tapestry of flowering faces all along the winding roads in the National Park. To the north west of Garies you will find the spectacular Skilpad Wild Flower Reserve which forms part of the Namaqua National Park. The Hester Malan Wildflower Garden is located within the greater Goegap Nature Reserve and showcases a range of Namaqua succulents and a rock garden. Ramskop Nature Reserve is located in the Cederberg region and includes a wildflower reserve which stretches for 7,5 ha. The West Coast National Park showcases colourful carpets of wildflowers throughout this season and if you happen to be in Darling on the weekend of 16 – 18 September, be sure to pop into the Darling Wildflower Show.
This is the perfect self-drive vacation if you’re looking for great photo opportunities that will take you all along the back roads of our beautiful western coastline all the way from Springbok in the Northern Cape to Darling in the Western Cape.
Springbok is known as the capital of Namaqualand due to its origin as the first commercial mining town in the 1850’s.
Nababeep is home to a Mining Museum which showcases the development of the copper mining industry in this region.
Kamieskroon is also known as the heart of Namaqualand.
The first community was established in 1864 on a farm just a few kilometers from where the town is now.
Kamieskroon was moved to its current location in 1924 with the ruins of the ghost town still standing today.
Garies is surrounded by distinctive granite koppies rising from the flowering fields this time of year.
Besides the amazing flower show in this part of the world, you will also find a unique quiver tree nursery in Vanrhynsdorp.
The Cederberg Mountains tower over the landscape and boasts loads of activities for the adventurous.
A “veld shoe” factory was opened in 1954, and to this day you can buy yourself a pair of real “vellies” when you are in this area.
This untouched fishing village is famous for its wildflowers and scrumptious seafood.
Jacobs Bay is a sleepy coastal village between Saldanha and Vredenburg that offers the best of the wildflower season without any distractions.
Saldanha is home to the deepest and safest natural harbour in South Africa.
The Langebaan Lagoon attracts thousands of tourists every year.
When the wonderful wildflowers start to bloom, motorists come from far and wide to admire them.
Langebaan is a popular coastal vacation hub.
If these bright photo’s of our establishments don’t persuade you to jump in the car and go, we have a few gems from our past that might do the trick.
