Words & pics Di Brown
Philosopher and poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson, said, “The earth laughs in flowers”, and if that is true, then the Cape West Coast in spring demands a road trip to witness nature’s annual comedy festival.
Sometimes, the joke’s on you. The flowers only open if the weather meets their exacting requirements. They demand sunshine, abhor clouds, are not keen on wind and dislike temperatures below 19 degrees Celsius, so a localised weather check is essential for successful flower spotting.
Generally, the flowers are open between 11 am and 3 pm on a warm sunny day. Fortunately, the West Coast has countless scenic spots and attractions to entertain you when the flowers are not playing along.
Postberg in the West Coast National Park in Langebaan
My eyes feast on the ethereal scene from the balcony of the Shark Bay Hotel. The early morning sun burns away the mist, and the water of Langebaan lagoon is like glass, animated by the wake of a solitary fishing boat. I’m excited about my first visit to the Postberg section of the West Coast National Park, which is only open to the public during August and September. I arrive at the entrance gate before it opens at 7 am to avoid the queues, and drive 35km to Tsaarsbank to be sure I am one of the limited number of cars allowed in when those gates open at 9 am.
Postberg exceeds all my expectations. Fynbos covered dunes give way to rolling hills with Stonehenge-like rock formations, where zebra, eland and gemsbok graze. The sun warms the air, the flowers open, and magic happens. The landscape transforms into an endless scene of the quintessential South African foam mattress. You know the one, a brown background with yellow, orange and white daisies. Cars line the side of the road, compelled to get out into the sun, walk among the flowers, take millions of photos and laugh from the pure joy of the spectacle.
Leaving the Postberg section, I savour a flask of coffee on the beach at Preekstoel, and start mentally planning my next visit, inspired by my distant view of the houseboats moored at Kraalbaai. The West Coast National Park spans 32,000 hectares, and apart from the spectacular flowers, this family-friendly National Park warrants an overnight visit to fully enjoy the walks, hikes, cycle routes, bird hides, beaches, braai areas and picnic spots.
Passes and Padstals
The Biedouw Valley, deep in the Cederberg mountains, is a wildflower hotspot. The three-and-a-half-hour drive from Cape Town takes me five hours due to the numerous stops to take in the views and visit the farm stalls. Heading out of Cape Town on the N7, I resist the urge to stop until I reach Piekenierskloof Pass just past Piketberg and about halfway to the Biedouw Valley. Kardoesie Farmstall, De Tol, and Hebron are all within a two-kilometre stretch, and I stop at all three. Refuelled with coffee and well stocked with local wines, preserves, and craft beer to take home, I snack all the way to Clanwilliam, the home of Rooibos tea, where I pop into the House of Rooibos before heading into the majestic northern Cederberg’s wild and raw wilderness. Halfway up the Pakhuis Pass, I pull in at Travellers Rest for brunch in the sun and poke around in the gorgeous gift shop.
I love driving, and the 50-kilometre road down into the Biedouw Valley has some fantastic twists, turns, and spots to stop and take in the jaw-dropping views and colourful display of wildflowers. Surrounded by towering, craggy mountains, the valley epitomises tranquillity.
Blissed out on the wonders of nature, I drive on to see the nearby Rhenish Mission town of Wuppertal. This place speaks to my soul. Donkeys wander along the embankments of the Tra Tra River surrounded by reeds and trees, and through the streets where whitewashed houses follow the contours of the terrain. Children play cricket in the fields, locals nod and say hi, and the church, shop and Veldskoen shoe factory are the centre of this timeless village.
Bokkoms, Birds and Boats
Rocherpan is a coastal nature reserve north of Velddrif, about two-and-a-half-hour drive from Cape Town on the R27. It consists of a large seasonal vlei, prolific birdlife, magnificent bird hide, marked trails to the dunes and beach and a myriad of colourful wildflowers.
En route to Rocher Pan, I stop to explore the best kept local secret, Bokkomlaan, a microcosm of slow living and the ethos of the West Coast overlooking the Berg River. Caffeinated by a takeaway brew from Columbine Coffee, I wander into the Riverside Studio to see Marie Clunie’s paintings, then continue to watch the skilled fishermen preparing the dried harders known as Bokkoms, a kind of fish biltong.
Lunch with river views at Ek n Jy fishery, where they serve good food, not fast food and where the resident pelican might beg for scraps. Boats bob alongside the jetties, strangers start friendly conversations, and I make a note to schedule a trip on the Cracklin Rosie to view the birds and flowers of the Berg River.
Blooms and Beaches, a winning combo.
I’m an ocean addict, so visiting Paternoster to see flowers and stunning beaches is a double win. Cape Columbine Nature Reserve sits on the southern edge of this charming town known for its whitewashed cottages, fishing boats and quirky shops. Sandy paths meander along beaches and cliffs and up to the highest point where a lighthouse stands tall and proud. I chose the fun option to explore this reserve, where every inch of land not taken up by massive granite boulders or white sandy beaches is carpeted in vibrant wildflowers.
Helmet on, I follow the knowledgeable local guide from WOW E-bikes on a thrilling and effortless cycle along nineteen kilometres of pristine beaches, powering up hills and navigating the stony paths and dense dunes of the reserve, all the way to the ever so pretty Tieties Bay. End the day with a casual dinner at the beachside Voorstrandt Restaurant or dine in style at the award-winning Leeto Restaurant at the Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel.
Blooms and Beaches, a winning combo.
I’m an ocean addict, so visiting Paternoster to see flowers and stunning beaches is a double win. Cape Columbine Nature Reserve sits on the southern edge of this charming town known for its whitewashed cottages, fishing boats and quirky shops. Sandy paths meander along beaches and cliffs and up to the highest point where a lighthouse stands tall and proud. I chose the fun option to explore this reserve, where every inch of land not taken up by massive granite boulders or white sandy beaches is carpeted in vibrant wildflowers.
A “No Daisy Day” in Darling. When clouds cancel any chance of seeing flowers in Darling, known as the Golden Mile of the plant kingdom, I go in search of culture, heritage, retail therapy and sustenance. Which I find in droves. At !At Khwa ttu, a SAN heritage site and nature reserve, I explore the phenomenal Heritage Museum and try, unsuccessfully, to master the various click sounds of the SAN language.
I laugh until I cry at the brilliant live show by satirist Pieter Dirk Uys at Evita’s se Perron, which was once a railway station but is now a theatre, restaurant, and museum of sorts. Lunch is chilled and tasty at Africa’s first carbon-neutral brewery, Darling Brew, followed by afternoon tea at the historic Groote Post winery outside of town.
There is so much to experience when visiting the West Coast during the flower season. Book a scheduled tour with West Coast Way for a relaxed guided multi-day tour of the flowers.
Essentials
Early bloomers can emerge in mid-July, and generally by mid-October, the late bloomers have completed their show.
Flower Shows:
Hopefield Fynbos Show 28-31 August 2025
Clanwilliam Wildflower Show 29 August – 7 September 2025
Darling Wildflower Show 19-21 September 2025
Download the free Clanflora App to identify the wildflowers in the Cederberg, Nieuwoudtville and Namaqualand regions.
Where to Stay:
August and September are busy on the West Coast, so book accommodation well in advance. Yzerfontein Accommodation has over 80 properties listed in Yzerfontein, Jacobsbaai and Darling, ranging from backpackers and B&Bs to large luxurious beach houses. – Yzerfontein Accommodation – https://yzerfonteinaccommodation.co.za/
Experiences:
Visit West Coast Way for comprehensive info on what to eat, see, and do in the towns and villages on the West Coast.
https://www.westcoastway.co.za/
Distances from Cape Town
Darling 80km / Yzerfontein 95km / Hopefield 125km / Langebaan 135km / Velddrif and Bokkomlaan 160km / Paternoster 160km / Clanwilliam 230km / Biedouw Valley 300km
