Let's Go Wildflower Spotting on the West Coast

West Coast Flower Update

This information was updated by the Weskus Flower Report on 21 August 2020 

The natural phenomenon of the flower season along the #Weskus in the Western Cape draws thousands of visitors from around the country and from around the world, between August and September each year, but the wildflowers have been known to bloom early in July and as late as October, depending on weather conditions.

It’s that time of year when we go wildflower spotting and with the help of West Coast Tourism, we know just where to find them.

Our flower season is dependant on the winter rains, the wind and other weather factors, and the displays vary from place to place each season.

There’s been a lot of rain in the Western Cape of late and West Coast Tourism says this bodes well for wildflower season. Here’s the latest West Coast wildflower update…

 Bergrivier Region

Velddrif

Location of flowers:

All the empty plots in Velddrif, Laaiplek along the pavements and open field. Bergrivier golf course. Road between Velddrif and Hopefield.

Type of flowers:

wit madeliefies, wildekamille, geel langbeensuring , oranje gousblom, rooi viooltjies, gansogies, geel hongerblom, pietsnot, geel gousblom, roosmalva, geel kruipvygie, bietou, kantblom

How many flowers:

Please note this is someone’s perception, and not a guarantee.

(Fields/Plenty/Patches/Few)

Cederberg Region

Clanwilliam

Location of flowers:

Entrance of town (R364)

Vredeoord graveyard (Parkstreet)

Cnr off Markstreet & Hospitaalstreet

Boskloofroad

R364 – Pakhuispas – De Pakhuys - Traveller's Rest - Englishman's grave - Hoek-se-berg - Biedouw - Enjo Farm

R364 - Doringbos - Botterkloof - Niewoudtville

R364 : R365 – Bak-se-rug – Ysterfontein farm - Graafwater – Lambertsbay – Elandsbay – Leipoldtville – Sandberg - Graafwater

N7 Clanwilliam noord rigting Klawer

N7 suid rigting Citrusdal
N7 Kransvlei - Olyfenboschkraal - Marcuskraal
N7 Marcuskraal - Skimmelberg - Witelskloof - Sandberg - Leipoldtville = R365
Ou Kaapse weg - Rondegat
Cederberg - Nieuwoudt pass - Algeria - Jamaka (Grootkloof) Riddespore
Cederberg Staproetes

Type of flowers:
Wit katsterte, gousblomme, blou-uintjie, voëltjie-kan-nie-sit-nie, spinnekopbos, Perdebos, wit reënblomme, kalkoentjies, handjies, geel en oranje daisies, gifkool, pers hongerblomme, lazy daisy, blousporrie, bobbejaankool, bobbejaanboek, proteas (Suikerkan, Waboom), sewejaartjies, blombos, sterretjies, bobbejaantjie, viooltjies, sandharpuis, clanwilliam daisy (harpuisbos), ridderspore, tulpe, skilpadbessiebos, broodbos, erica, sambreeltjie, drumsticks, perskabong, noordpol, vygies en boetabessie.

How many flowers:

Please note this is someone’s perception and not a guarantee.

(Fields | Plenty | Patches | Few)

- Clanwilliam
- Vredeoord

Lambert's Bay

Location Of Flowers

In and around town and open fields

On the R365 past Muisbosskerm

Steenbokfontein farm

On the R364 towards Clanwilliam

All the way down the R366 to Elandsbay

Up towards Doornbay

Type of flowers:
White, yellow and orange daisies, purple vygies, sierings, cape weed, stinkruik

How many flowers:
Patches all throughout the open areas and fields.

Please note this is someone’s perception and not a guarantee.

(Fields/Plenty/Patches/Few)

Elands Bay

Location of flowers:

All around town and the mountain

On the R366 towards Redelinghuys

Type of flowers:
Sand Vygies, Sierings, Namaqua Daisies, Cape weed, Stinkruik

How many Flowers:
Patches all throughout the open areas and fields.

Please note this is someone’s perception and not a guarantee.

(Fields/Plenty/Patches/Few

PENINSULA REGION

HOPEFIELD

Location of flowers:

Next to Soutriver in town
Plaasmol (R45) 5km outside Hopefield
In town on vacant plots
Next to Library
At Hopefield Fynbos Park

Type of flowers:

White Reënblommetjies (Daisies),
Orange Gousblomme
Geel Bobbejaantjie
Pienk en Geel Surings
Hermannias
Babiana Eanas
Nemesias
Cysticapnos – Vesicaria
Bokhoringtjies
Babiana Odoratas (in full flower)
Babiana Ringes
Babiana Ambiguas

How many flowers:

Please note this is someone’s perception, and not a guarantee.

(Fields/Plenty/Patches/Few)

JACOBSBAAI

Location of flowers:
Surroundings of Jacobsbaai

Type of flowers:
Gousblom
Kleinkruid
Bokbaaivygie
Bietou
Soetkop dikblaar
Ossierrapuis
Hongerblom
Suring
Reënblommetjies
Varkoor

How many flowers:
Please note this is someone’s perception and not a guarantee.

(Fields/Plenty/Patches/Few)

LANGEBAAN

Location of flowers:

Postberg, West Coast National Park
Langebaan Gate to Geelbek
Oostewal & Sunbird Drive
Langebaan Town / Langebaan Country Estate
Myburgh Park, Oliphantskop

Type of flowers:
Harpuisbos
Blombos
Kapokbossie
Suring (Yellow Flower)
Reenblommetjies (White)
Orange Gousblom
Geelmelkbos
Froetang
Sukkelbossie
Sporrie
Geel Hongerblom
Strand Sallie
Bietou
Vygies
Bobbejaankool

How many flowers:

Please note this is someone’s perception and not a guarantee.

(Fields/Plenty/Patches/Few)

WEST COAST NATIONAL PARK / Postberg: In Flower Season
(August & September)
South African Adult Citizens – R64 / Kids under 12 – R32
International Tourist R96 per adult / Kids under 12 – R48

West Coast National Park (WCNP) has announced that the Postberg section of the Park has opened its annual flower season until the end of September 2020.

• The section will be open for self-drives only therefore, no braai, picnicking and hiking will be permitted at this stage.
• The two hiking trails in the Postberg section namely the Steenbok and the Postberg two day hiking trail, will remain closed until further notice as per strict regulations stipulated under Alert Level 3.

Kindly note that temporary gate operating hours come into effect as of the 4th of August 2020:

• Monday to Sunday from 10h00am to 16h00pm, with the last entry at 3pm.
• Strict Covid 19 protocols will follow upon entry.
• Please note that during this time, West Coast National Park is only operating from the Langebaan entrance.

Namaqua West Coast Region

Location of flowers:

R362 vanaf Lutzville - Strandfontein - Doringbaai:
-Pienk vygie bosse (plenty)
-perdebosse
-daisies (plenty)

- N7 - Trawal - Truck Inn
- daisies en pienk vygies

R363 tussen Klawer en Vredendal
-daisies

Klawer Treinspoor
-wit en oranje daisies

Lankverwacht Plaas:
VygiebossiePers douvygies tussen Vanrhyns en Lankverwacht. Plate en plate.
Blomme wat nou uit is:
Geel melkbosse. Groot
Bokhoring Blom. medium
Boesmanskers.
Beetle daiseis Baie
Hongerblomme klein Plate.
Vaalgombosse begin blom
Kappieblommetjies Klein
Dassiegousblomme
Kougoed
Kraaltjies hongerblom
Karrodouvygies

Maskam Guest Farm : (Gifberg Pad)
Glasoog magrietjies (plate)
Vygie bosse (baie)
Hongerblomme (plate)
Wit surings (patches)
Geel surings (plate)
Hongerblomme (patches)
Jakkelsblom
Gousblom
Viooltjies
Sout slaai
Pou-ooguintjie
Knoppiesopslag -wit
Reksenings – geel
Perdebos
Blousporries
Namakwa mat-vygie

Urionskraal - Mauwerskop Sirkel roete
Patches

Vredendal - Lambertsbaai - grondpad
Daisies - plenty

How many flowers:

Please note this is someone’s perception and not a guarantee.

(Fields/Plenty/Patches/Few)

 

 

It should be noted that it is very difficult to predict with certainty what the flowers would be like and that we can only guess based on current weather conditions.

Angela B. Isaks

Park Manager: NAMAQUA NATIONAL PARK

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARKS (SANParks)

P.O.Box 117 KAMIESKROON 8241

TEL:   027-672 1948

CELL: 084-491 1140

FAX: 027-672 1015

angela.isaks@sanparks.org

WWW.SANPARKS.ORG

VIEWING TIPS

Tips while viewing flowers 

• The flowers are open between 11:00 and 15:00, the warmest part of the day
• The sun must be out for flowers to open, thus rainy or overcast days are not ideal
• The day temperature must be at least 18 degrees
• Flowers face the sun, thus for viewing and pictures keep your back to the sun
• Get out of the car and walk around, don't miss the special smaller species
• Tread lightly, don't unnecessarily trample plants, and never pick flowers or bulbs 

What to wear when viewing flowers 

• Long pants and insect repellent when walking around in the field
• Comfortable shoes

 Advice to tourists 

• The West Coast Flower Hotline is available from 08:00 to 20:00, 7 days a week
•  Try to book your accommodation in advance
• Most towns along the flower routes have fuel stations, ATMs and mobile reception
• The further north, the further apart the towns, keep in mind when planning
• Stop and ask locals for advice on flower hot spots, distances, etc - they're friendly
• Namakwa/West Coast flower maps are available at all tourism information offices

 For Updated Weather Reports, you can visit the following websites:

www.yr.no

www.accuweather.com    

www.windguru.com

www.fallingrain.com 

www.weathersa.co.za