Spring time in the Western Cape brings about a celebration of one of the world’s most prominent and active floral regions. For 4-6 weeks every year the unique fynbos kingdom is joined by an array of special wild flowers presenting a truly a memorable visual display for keen enthusiasts from all around the globe. If you find yourself in the right place at the right time, you can expect to see millions of flowers carpeting the land in a riot of orange, pink, purple, yellow and white. We’ve designed a 2 night, 3 day experience that gives you just a small taste of the fuss.

Day 1 - WEST COAST NATIONAL PARK + SHARK BAY VILLA

• After a late morning departure from Cape Town we’ll head directly north of the city onto the famous West Coast road. The coastal wonder that is the West Coast National Park lies less than 2 hours up the road and will set the scene for our first stop of the tour.

• Hugging the coast line next to the cool Atlantic Ocean we’ll make our along narrow park roads in search of the first wild flowers of the season for this region. Some locals say this is the prettier southern cousin to the more rugged, mountainous displays up north as ‘she has the ocean by her side’. Wild flowers are not the only joy in the park; An array of different antelope, birdlife in abundance and the odd pod of dolphins (maybe even a whale) can be spotted during this time of the year.

• We’ll head to the most north western corner of the park to the Postberg Nature Reserve. Closed for most of the year it comes to life during wild flower season with a riot of colour and epic ocean views, this is a must see when in the area. We’ll spend some time among the flowers before making our way to a designated picnic spot for lunch. Your guide will provide a packed a lunch including a selection of cheeses, fruits, preserves and cured meats couples with a local wine from the cool climate west coast region. We make a point to only eat and drink local to the region where possible.

• Our journey then takes us north to a holiday destination that is a firm favorite among local travelers; the seaside town of Langebaan. We’ll check into a 3 bedroom Villa on the Langebaan lagoon hosted and operated by the Shark Bay Hotel and Spa. Set on the northern border of the West Coast National Park this location boasts white expansive beaches, turquoise water and a lagoon as far as the eye can see. Your Tour Companion will set up a gin tasting of our very own Pesky Hobbit Craft Gin as a sundowner at the end of day 1.

• We’ll prepare a traditional South African Braai (BBQ) coupled with tasty side dishes for dishes. (Vegetarian + vegan options available). In true local fashion, everyone on tour gets involved in the braai. Someone on drinks, another in front of the grill and others in charge of side dishes, this is loads of fun as we create and share an enjoyable meal together.

Day 2 - CLANWILLIAM RAMSKOP NATURE RESERVE + MOUNT CEDER

• After a continental breakfast and a slow morning at our accommodation we’ll make our way further north sticking along the coastal road through the West Coast towns of Veldrif and Elands Bay. Wild flowers generally cover this entire coastal region, where spotted we will more often than not use as many photo opportunities we have available to us.

• A little over 2 hours later we’ll reach one of the most highly recommended places to visit during this season, the Ramskop Nature Reserve and Flower Garden. Ramskop boasts one of the best flower displays anywhere in SA this destination with fields of rooibos tea and orange groves as a backdrop. It’s wild flower garden has no fewer than 350 different species and it is one of several places in the area where during the flower season you're almost guaranteed of a carpet, particularly if you go between 11am and 3pm whilst the sun is at its highest and the flowers are open. This is a great way to get the ultimate wild flower experience without having to clock up the miles, perfect if you don’t have 4 or 5 days in the region.

• Clanwilliam is a quirky, vibrant town at this time of the year. We’ll pick a local eatery or restaurant for lunch before departing for the heart of the Cederberg.

• After lunch is where we’ll start to meet long, windy and memorizing gravel roads. Roads that date back to the early 1700’s carved into valleys between rock formations that are as old as 400 million years! Our route takes us to Mount Cedar Lodge and our accommodation at their Waboomhoek House. This house has an en-suite double bedroom, an en-suite twin bedroom and a loft room which has its own bathroom located on the ground floor. There is a comfortable living area with an inside fireplace for warmth in winter and an outdoor fireplace to braai. There is a dining table outside on the terrace to enjoy the beautiful fresh air whilst enjoying a meal overlooking the Groot Rivier.

• As an optional experience we’ll have the opportunity to hook with a local guide for a short 40 minute walk to witness some ancient rock art paintings, carved and created by the bushmen of yesteryear (the original and indigenous San people). This is a special untouched display like no other. With it being situated on private land it has not been vandalized or over displayed as a tourist attraction. An introduction to the local fynbos fauna and flora and a number of dramatic viewpoints and rock formations are along the way before we reach an ideal end to the afternoon with a sundowner drink. Highly recommended! (Extra R300.00 pp)

• Dinner on day 2 is a choice between a 2nd braai, your guide’s very own bolognaise recipe or you can choose to eat at the restaurant at reception of the Mount Ceder Lodge.

Day 3 - RETURN TO CAPE TOWN VIA THE AANKOMS COFFEE STOP AND A WINEMAKING ICON

• The area in which we will have spent the night in is largely known as the Cederberg Conservancy. A stretch of 100km’s on on which either side exists private land, much of which belongs to the Mouton Family. 6th generation daughters Alet and Alex have converted the original farmhouse (est 1870’s) into the only farmstall of it’s kind along this route. We’ll stop for an early morning warm brew after breakfast at Mount Ceder.

• We then start a slow drive back to Cape Town via the town of Ceres a number of scenic mountain passes.

• Our final stop of the tour is where we’re personally invited by the Nichols family to share in their family owned legacy, Mitres Edge Vineyards. The winemaker, Lola (SA’s 2nd ever lady winemaker), hosts the tasting in her manor house or underground cellar. This is red wine terroir, par excellence, and special care is taken in the vineyards through meticulously cultivating, pruning and harvesting by hand. The wines are paired with a selection of local and delicious cheeses to make a for a memorable experience at the end of your day. You’ll most certainly leave with a new friend as we like to call her ‘lovely Lola!’. Your accommodation at the V&A waterfront is only a 45 minute drive from here bringing to an epic 3 days.

Included:

• Pick up and drop off from accommodation / airport / central point

• Snack pack filled with South African treats

• 2 Nights in 4 star accommodation (Shark Bay Villa & Mount Ceder)

• Private qualified guide

• Entrance to Wild Coast National Park

• Flower Experience at Postberg Nature Reserve

• Entrance to Ramskop Nature Reserve & Flower Garden

• Packed Lunch & Drinks on Day 1

• Braai Dinner on Day 1 & 2

• Breakfast on Day 2 & 3

• Mitres Edge Wine & Cheese Pairing (5 wines)

• On-board and in-house bottled water throughout

• Transportation in luxury SUV

• Private tour benefit (no one else joining your tour)

Not Included:

• Additional food and beverages

• Meals not mentioned above

• Optional Experiences

Optional Experiences:

• Rock Art and Sundowner Scenic Walk at Mount Ceder (R300.00 pp)

What to Bring:

• A camera to take awesome photos!

• Spending money to buy gifts for those at home

• Sun cream

• Warmer clothes for the winter months

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Lots of positivism and good feels!

Host / Vendor:

Your host will be Blaine Smith or Ryan Louw, local South African tourist guides. Blaine has lived in 6 of South Africa’s 9 different provinces and currently ventures all over the country on various expeditions. Ryan chose to make the Western Cape his home after a stint up north, you won’t find a bigger patriot for his country anywhere else! Both are extremely well traveled, with a wealth of knowledge and an unrivaled passion for local travel, you’ll be in the best of South African hands.

Difficulty Level & Special Requests

• The physical activity of this tour is low, it is however advisable to wear comfortable walking shoes

• Inform us if you are vegetarian, vegan or have any other dietary restrictions

(Price based on 4 star accommodation and transportation in Toyota Fortuner)

*A 50% deposit is needed to secure your tour, view our cancellation policy here
*All tours are quoted in South African Rands (ZAR) and are valid from March 2021
*Please inquire about children here

Click here to see our additional terms and conditions