Cape Town isn’t just a scenic paradise; it's a global wine haven that attracts oenophiles from around the world. On a sunny day in October, Therese met with Le Roi van de Vyver to learn more about the life of a sommelier.
WESTERN CAPE WILDFLOWER WONDERLAND
The Western Cape is transforming into a wildflower wonderland, this beautiful only every ten years.
We’ve got the complete round-up of wildflower hotspots and not-to-miss floral utopias, all within a two-hour drive from Cape Town. Enjoy a stay at one of our sumptuous villas and celebrate nature’s poetry with us!
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Acclaimed as one of the ‘Great Botanic Gardens in the World’, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is Cape Town’s floral gem. Nestled against the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch boasts a captivating display of indigenous natural beauty. The gardens cover approximately 528ha and an array of more than 7000 plant species, including 2500 exclusively from the Cape Peninsula. Kirstenbosch gardens forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Distance from Cape Town City Centre: +- 20 minutes
Icon Villas stay options: Any of our Cape Town based villas
West Coast National Park and Postberg
Every spring, the West Coast National Park unveils a captivating display of wildflowers, a celebration of vibrant blooms in all its hues. Within this natural masterpiece, Postberg in the West Coast National Park – a conserved and almost completely undisturbed landscape – emerges a pristine floral haven, open from 9am to 5pm in August and September.
Distance from Cape Town City Centre: +- 1 hour 50 minutes
Icon Villas stay options: If you don’t mind a drive along the West Coast, a stay at any of our Cape Town villas would be well suited.
Closer options situated along the west coast:
Melkbosstrand
Bloubergstand
Renosterveld Reserve
Nestled above Darling Primary school, this enchanting 20ha expanse of the Renosterveld Flower Reserve unfolds in a tranquil, colourful splendor. One of the best reserves to visit during the flower season, sprawling fields burst with a stunning display of wildflowers. Beyond the rainbow of petals, the reserve extends to idyllic family hikes, picturesque picnics amidst the blossoms as well as birdwatching. End your flower hunt at the Darling Brewery for a delicious bite and a local cold brew or vino.
Distance from Cape Town City Centre: +- 1hour
Icon Villas stay options: Stay in any of our Stellenbosch Winelands villas
Tienie Versfeld Wildflower Reserve
Located along the R315 en route to the West Coast town of Darling is Tienie Versfeld Wildflower Reserve. Its expansive diverse typography offers an array of floral treasures, captivating flower enthusiasts with its great variety. What makes this spot so special is that 10% of the Cape Floral Kingdom can be found HERE, in this small patch of floral haven! Amongst this floral paradise are wonders such as lachenalia, chincherinchee, butter lilies and more.
Distance from Cape Town City Centre: +- 1hour 10 minutes
Icon Villas stay options: Stay in any of our Stellenbosch Winelands villas
Harold Porter Botanical Gardens
This botanical garden, situated in the centre of the coastal fynbos kingdom where the flora is at its richest, is a beautiful natural haven bursting with colour. It encompasses mountain slopes with wind-clipped heathlands, deep gorges with relict forests, flats and marshes with restios, sedges and bulbs, as well as dunes adjacent to the beach with specialised salt-adapted plants. It is renowned for its waterfalls and amber pools. With a magical display of Porteas, it's a a must-see little slice of fynbos paradise!
Distance from Cape Town City Centre: +- 1hour 40 minutes
Icon Villas stay options: Stay in any of our villas in the Overberg (Hermanus or Betty's Bay)
Photo: Out of this World, Essential Villa in Betty's Bay
In addition to nature’s theatrical display, celebrate the season by attending one of the Western Cape’s wildflower shows, such as the ‘Celebration of Fynbos’ in Hermanus. You can book a stay in one of our magical villas here too, whilst making most of the whale season too. View our villas in Hermanus.
Make the most of your wildflower escapes and stay longer for less! Read more about all our villas with special offers here.
The best time to view the Western Cape’s wildflowers in full bloom ranges from end August to mid-September. Read more in ‘Exploring the Wildflower Wonders of South Africa’ for more information and additional reserves to add to your list.
Happy Spring! 🌸
Further Reading
The words of Robyn Yong ring true: “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” So, it is your holiday, and you’ve pressed pause on the 9-5 working day. Long lazy days of being the only master of your time stretches like an endless horizon ahead of you. Nobody can dispute the beauty of an existence where you do exactly what you want, when you want. It...
“Contemplating the teeming life of the shore, we have an uneasy sense of the communication of some universal truth that lies just beyond our grasp… the ultimate mystery of Life itself.” - Rachel Carson: Meditation on the Ocean and the Meaning of Life. The mystery and magic of our world comes alive through the lens of the photographer. Cape Town, often referred to as the Mother City, is a photographer's paradise. Dazzling...
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