South Africa Wildflower Route
South Africa’s wildflower season is one of nature’s most spectacular transformations. For a few weeks each spring, from August to September, the landscapes of the Western Cape and Northern Cape burst into colour, with carpets of wildflowers stretching across valleys, mountains and coastal plains. Follow the blooming of wild flowers on an unforgettable 11-day guided journey through South Africa’s spectacular spring landscapes. You will travel from the Atlantic coastline and colourful fields of the West Coast to the rugged Cederberg and then, further north, to the vast floral carpets of Namaqualand. Imagine dense flower scenery stretching for miles and miles! This journey showcases some of South Africa’s most extraordinary seasonal floral landscapes. The quiver tree will probably become your favourite tree after this trip and the South African wild flowers will steal a piece of your heart forever! Also, you will definitely have a chance to see wildlife in this colorful wilderness. You’ll stay in charming, comfortable lodges chosen for their character and location, while travelling through landscapes that change from one region to the next. We can tailor this itinerary to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. It is a beautiful trip suitable for all ages, from families with children to elderly, since the pace is relaxed and the walks are easy.
11 Days – From £5,550 per person
*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted
Itinerary: Paternoster, Lambert’s Bay, Clanwiliam, Nieuwoudtville, Kamieskroon, Springbok, Vanrhynsdorp, Tulbagh Valley
- Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double/twin room
- Accommodation with breakfast
- All the Game Drives with a Professional Guide
- All the excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- All transfers by car on a private basis
- Entrance & guiding fees to all the mentioned National Parks and Sites
- All mandatory local taxes
- Visa, where applicable
- International Flights (See Flights to South Africa)
- Domestic Flights
- Personal Expenses
- Additional Drinks
- Insurance
- Tips & Gratuities
- Meals not mentioned in the description.
International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to book the flights yourself, use miles and choose your preferred airline, and if you are stuck we can help you find the right connections. Return flights to South Africa start from £800 per person, depending on the connections and time of the year. Fly to Cape Town (CPT).
Send us an email to check availability, discuss your preferences and get a quote.
This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor it to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added. Other hotels can be chosen, according to your liking. You can also combine this trip with other sights in South Africa. For more travel inspiration check our South Africa Itineraries.
The ideal time to experience the wild flower bloom in South Africa is from mid-August to late September, with September generally offering the best opportunity to see the Namaqualand wildflowers at their peak.
The flowering season is highly dependent on winter rainfall, temperatures and local conditions, so exact peak flowering dates can vary from year to year and from one area to another. Travelling during August and September gives you the best chance of experiencing the West Coast, Cederberg and Namaqualand landscapes transformed by their spectacular seasonal blooms.
To avoid unpleasant weather surprises, we recommend to check our South Africa Weather Guide to plan your trip in the right season. Click on the month you want to travel in and see the tours which are best for each month of the year.
Day 1 - Cape Town to Paternoster
Today, take the scenic road with your private chauffeur from Cape Town to West Coast National Park, a journey of around two hours. The highlight is the spectacular Postberg Flower Reserve, which opens exclusively during the spring flowering season. Following the winter rains, the landscape bursts into colour, with carpets of orange and yellow gousblomme, delicate white rain daisies, purple vygies and coastal fynbos, all set against the turquoise waters of Langebaan Lagoon. After exploring the flower fields, continue north along the coast to the charming fishing village of Paternoster. Discover its whitewashed cottages and rugged coastline before enjoying a fresh seafood meal as the sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean. Overnight at Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel.
Day 2 - Columbine Nature Reserve
After breakfast, head to Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, just a 20-minute drive from Paternoster. Your guide will introduce you to the unique Strandveld and coastal fynbos that thrive between the granite boulders and rugged Atlantic coastline. During the flower season, look out for delicate pink oxalis, blue flax, colourful vygies and many other seasonal species emerging amongst the coastal vegetation. Take time to walk along the flower-lined coastal paths, where the combination of wildflowers and ocean views create one of the most beautiful landscapes of the West Coast of South Africa. The afternoon is for relaxing in Paternoster or enjoying another leisurely coastal walk. As the day comes to an end, watch the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean. Overnight at Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel.
Day 3 - Paternoster to Lambert’s Bay
After breakfast, leave Paternoster and continue north along the scenic West Coast towards Lambert’s Bay, with a drive of approx. 1 hour 45 min. The route takes you through the Sandveld, where the coastal fynbos gradually gives way to the drier landscapes of the Succulent Karoo. Along the way, your driver will stop at the best spots for seasonal flowers, with colourful daisies, marigolds and other spring blooms often adding splashes of colour to the landscape. On arrival in Lambert’s Bay, explore the coastline and surrounding natural areas, where hardy coastal plants and succulents thrive in the sandy environment. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Overnight at Lambert’s Bay Beachfront Hotel.
Day 4 - Cederberg Wilderness Area
After breakfast, leave Lambert’s Bay and travel inland towards Clanwilliam, the gateway to the spectacular Cederberg region, with a drive of about 1 hour. Today’s highlight is the Ramskop Wildflower Garden, home to more than 350 species of indigenous South African wildflowers. During the spring wildflower season, the garden comes alive with colourful daisies, pincushions, proteas, ericas and other seasonal blooms, offering a wonderful introduction to the Cederberg’s rich botanical diversity. Set above Clanwilliam, the garden also offers beautiful views over Clanwilliam Dam and the Cederberg Mountains. Learn about rooibos, the indigenous shrub that grows naturally in the Cederberg and is used to make South Africa’s famous tea. Overnight at Simbavati Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge.
Day 5 - Biedouw Valley
After breakfast, set out for a full-day excursion into the spectacular Biedouw Valley. Allow approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the route and flower-viewing stops. Travel through the dramatic mountain scenery of the Cederberg, crossing the Pakhuis Pass before descending into the valley. Following good winter rainfall, the valley floor can be transformed into extraordinary carpets of wildflowers. Take time to explore the flower fields on foot, with seasonal displays of yellow and orange gousblomme, parachute daisies, babianas and numerous other species creating a vibrant patchwork across the landscape. The combination of colourful flowers, rugged mountains and open valleys makes Biedouw one of the highlights of this botanical journey. Overnight at Simbavati Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge.
Day 6 - Nieuwoudtville
After breakfast, continue north towards Nieuwoudtville, a scenic drive of approximately 4 hours 30 min, including the spectacular crossing of Vanrhyns Pass. As the landscape changes, so does the vegetation, with the drier Northern Cape offering a completely different botanical experience. Known as the Bulb Capital of the World, Nieuwoudtville is famous for its remarkable variety of indigenous bulbs and seasonal wildflowers. In the afternoon, explore the Nieuwoudtville Wildflower Reserve, where winter rains bring an incredible display of endemic flowers into bloom. Look out for colourful sparaxis, ixias, moraeas and babianas, which can cover the landscape in vibrant carpets during the spring flowering season. Later, visit the nearby Quiver Tree Forest, where ancient quiver trees stand dramatically against the surrounding arid landscape. Overnight at Papkuilsfontein Guest Farm.
Day 7 - Hantam Botanical Garden
After breakfast, take a short 30 min drive to the Hantam National Botanical Garden, just outside Nieuwoudtville. Spend the day exploring this remarkable botanical landscape, known for its exceptional plant diversity and many endemic and threatened species. Follow the seasonal flower trails through the garden’s varied geological landscapes, where different soil types create unique plant communities. During the spring wildflower season, look out for the rare Blue Pride-of-Nieuwoudtville, red Bulbinella and a spectacular variety of colourful seasonal blooms. In the afternoon, continue to Nieuwoudtville Waterfall, just 15 min from the botanical garden. The surrounding gorge is beautiful! Overnight at Papkuilsfontein Guest Farm.
Day 8 - Namaqua National Park
After breakfast, continue north towards the Northern Cape, with an approximately 3 hour 30 min drive to Skilpad Wildflower Reserve, allowing additional time for scenic and flower-viewing stops. Your main destination today is the Skilpad Wildflower Reserve, within Namaqua National Park near Kamieskroon. Famous for its combination of winter rainfall and coastal mist, Skilpad can become one of the most spectacular flower destinations in South Africa during a good flowering season. Explore the flower fields with your private guide, looking for brilliant displays of Namaqualand daisies, wild geraniums, marigolds and other seasonal species. Continue to Springbok with an approximately 1-hour drive, where you will visit the Hester Malan Wildflower Garden at Goegap Nature Reserve. Overnight at Naries Namakwa Retreat.
Day 9 - Springbok to Vanrhynsdorp
After breakfast, begin your journey south towards Vanrhynsdorp, with an approximately 2 hour 30 min drive. This region is one of the world’s most important centres of succulent plant diversity, and your focus today shifts from carpets of spring flowers to the fascinating miniature plants that survive in this arid environment. Explore areas around the Knersvlakte, where quartz gravel plains provide the perfect habitat for tiny succulents, including stone plants and other highly specialised endemic species. Continue to Quiver Tree Nursery, where you can discover an impressive collection of indigenous plants and learn more about the extraordinary botanical diversity of the region. Overnight at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat.
Day 10 - Tulbagh Valley
After breakfast, leave the arid landscapes of the north and begin your journey south towards the Tulbagh Valley, with an approximately 3-hour 30-min drive, allowing time for scenic and flower-viewing stops along the way. As you travel through the Olifants River Valley, the landscape gradually changes from the dry, succulent-rich plains of the Succulent Karoo to greener mountain scenery and the flowering landscapes of the Cape Winelands. Along the way, make stops to explore areas where mountain fynbos and spring flowers are in bloom. Look out for proteas, ericas, watsonias and other flowering species that add colour to the mountain slopes. Continue through the scenic Mitchell’s Pass towards the Tulbagh Valley, where vineyards, orchards and dramatic mountain ranges create a very different but equally beautiful landscape. Overnight at Duikersdrift Winelands Country Escape.
Day 11 - Tulbagh Valley to Cape Town
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning surrounded by the mountains and seasonal landscapes of the Tulbagh Valley. Take a gentle scenic walk or explore the surrounding countryside with your guide, looking for the last displays of spring fynbos and mountain flowers before beginning your journey back towards Cape Town. Your journey back to Cape Town takes approximately 1 hour 30 min, depending on traffic. Arrive in Cape Town in the afternoon, bringing your wildflower journey through the Western and Northern Cape to an end.
