Architectural whorls of proteas and leucospermums, mingle with a kaleidoscope of sparaxis, moraea, gladiolus, watsonia, pelargoniums and some wonderfully different orchids amidst the magnificent landscapes of the western Cape of South Africa, a botanical holy grail. The level of biodiversity is exceptional and it is the richest of the worlds’ five Mediterranean climate regions in terms of species per square kilometre. Spectacular coastlines give way to rugged mountains and many of the most interesting species are appearing now.
Please note: FIRE is a crucial part of the cycle of nature in fynbos, and many bush fires burn every season, encouraging many species into mass flowering and creating opportunities for us as plants people. With this in mind the itinerary is subject to late change if, depending on where fires have occurred, we deem different areas to be worth visiting rather than the ones indicated. We want you to experience the best flora we can find. Thank you for your understanding.
The Western Cape is a Mediterranean climate region and many of the images shown here feature in our lavish new book Flora of the Mediterranean (see 'Publications' under 'About Us').
On arrival in Cape Town we will transfer to our comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation and if there is time visit a local resnoterveld reserve when the very rare Moraea aristata can be seen, along with Satyrium odorum, plentiful Sparaxis bulbifera, Babiana fragrans and the small but attractive shrub Protea scolymocephala. Overnight Cape Town.
Setting off along the west coast we divert inland and visit both renosterveld and fynbos habitats to find Gladiolus venustus, Moraea gawleri, the unusual bluish form of Ferraria uncinata, Cyanella hyacinthoides and Laperousia fabricii. Overnight Nieuwoudtville in the heart of bulb country.
This bulb-rich area requires two days of exploration, including areas of renosterveld and dolorite as well as the magnificent quiver tree forests nearby. Various areas harbour a stunning array of plants including Sparaxis tricolor, S. elegans (in both orange and white forms) sumptuous Geissorhiza splendidissima, abundant Hesperantha bachmannii Lachenalia zebrina and with luck the bizarre flowers of Hoodia gordonii. Knitting all of this together is a colourful display of daisies and other annual plants. Overnight Nieuwoudtville except for the third night when we move on to Clanwilliam for the night.
A day of rare endemic bulbs with plenty of other delights thrown in. Renosterveld patches hold populations of the lovely Moraea gigandra, at times growing with M. villosa and the showy Babiana inclinata. The latter genus feature latter when we enjoy crimson Babiana hirsuta among the tentacle-like branches of Euphorbia caput-medusae alongside Ferraria foliosa and dazzling pink shrubs of Drosanthemum. A final rarity; Moraea calcicola can be found close to Langebaan on a scarce pieces of limestone. Overnight Langebaan.
Famed for its vast displays of daisies in antelope filled meadows, which we will enjoy in all its glory. Lesser known are the gems growing in the limestone and granite outcrops dotted throughout the park which harbour a range of endemic plants including the deep red Silene ornata and localised Gladiolus caeruleus as well as fine stands of Pelargonium cucullatum and cryptic Ferraria crispa with superb coastal backdrops. In the sandy dunes is the scarlet root parasite Hyobanche sanguinea. Overnight Langebaan.
Our whole day will be spent exploring the various small reserves around the town of Darling covered by renosterveld – a shrubland exceptionally rich in bulbs. We will find numerous species of Gladiolus, Geissorhiza, Babiana and Ixia among the displays with the highlight being the incomparable Geissorhiza radians. At Tienie Versveld, where masses of snowy Ornithogalum thyrsoides will be in flower alongside the pretty ruffs of Monsonia speciosa. Overnight Langebaan.
Moving on areas of sandy strandveld vegetation holds a variety of specialist bulbs including the uniquely evolved, Babiana ringens. Making our way inland, we stop for a unique velvet-purple subspecies of Sparaxis grandiflora, Babiana villosa and carmine Geissorhiza erosa in a dazzling colour mix at a nearby reserve. Switching to fynbos we’ll find many orchids including the rich pink Satyrium erectum and variable S. coriifolium, which comes in both lemon peel and tangerine variants. Overnight Ceres.
A recent burn site will hopefully still be productive with a diverse array of bulbs flowering in profusion including the sweetly scented Gladiolus ceresianus, bright pink Ixia latifolia and hundreds of small yellow Geissorhiza ornithogaloides. The highlight will be searching for the rare and delicate spider orchid; Bartholina burmanniana. Overnight Ceres.
Heading east we will arrive in time to visit the local Bontebok reserve where yellow Babiana spatula, Watsonia laccata and Tritoniopsis antholyza grow, before looking at the local slopes of Marloth for Gladiolus liliaceous and Babiana patersoniae growing near grassy flats with lots more Watsonia laccata. Overnight Swellendam.
A rich mix of fynbos plants can be found on the Tradouw Pass including Gladiolus rogersii, Mimetes cucullatus and shrubberies of the distinctive Berzelia abrotanoides. Moving inland the landscape dries and depending on the rainfall we’ll find showy Drosanthemum speciosum, an array of interesting succulents and then lovely biclored Pelargonium xxx as we return via a second pass. Overnight Swellendam.
Depending on fires we may reshape the itinerary to incorporate different sites including some of the smaller reserves with rare endemics.
Making our way back west, we stop at another Overberg renosterveld patch holding a variety of Proteas and Ericas including the lovely Erica ampullacea. The diverse Fernkloof Nature Reserve will be our main destination, with a mixture of protea stands combined with the attractive coppery whorls of Leucospermum cordifolium, pink Phaeonocoma prolifera and abundant Dimorphotheca. These grow alongside the deep purple of Moraea livida. A yellow species is common on the higher slopes where the pretty white Gerbera tomentosa grows near seeps encrusted with Drosera slackii coloured by the rare inflated pink flowers of Disa pillansii. Another orchid purple-red Disa ophyridea grows near the fiery wands of Mimetes cucullatus. The views of the rugged coastline from above are superb. Back at sea level we will look for the peculiar deep red Gladiolus cunonius that grows on low cliffs in the town. Overnight Hermanus.
The mountainous Kogelberg Nature Reserve is one of the most diverse areas in the region and a short walk along the river will have us stopping for large-flowered Gladiolus carneus, Erica retorta, Gladiolus debilis and the strange Saltera sarcocolla. The fynbos around the coastal towns of Betty’s Bay and Rooiels are also incredibly rich and we will hopefully find some fine specimens of Satyrium carneum among unique Ericas and small Diastella thymelaeoides. We head across False Bay to the Cape Peninsula to stay at Simonstown.
The far end of Africa beckons. As soon as we enter Cape Point there will be a constant procession of exciting flowers. The silver domes of Syncarpha vestita will be taking shape alongside abundant blue Aristea africana and white Adenandra villosa, amidst great stands of architectural tree-like Mimetes fimbriifolius and perhaps the odd King Protea; Protea cynaroides the country’s national flower. The spectacular shrub Leucospermum conocarpodendron is locally dominant, the sulphur-yellow flowers crowded onto impressive cones. The remarkable deep red-pink parasite Hyobanche sanguinea is common and its orange cousin Harveya squamosa can be found too. Side roads take us to wonderful flowery viewpoints to see the beautiful Lachenalia luteola, Staavia dodii, drifts of Arctotis stoechadifolia and red-flowered Lessertia frutescens. At Cape Point itself are superb views of the cliffs as well as Gladiolus cunonius, Nemesia and perhaps the odd Bonatea speciosa, a large green-and-white orchid. Overnight Simonstown.
Depending on departure times we may be able to visit additional sites or Kirstenbosch botanic garden.
Anyone wishing to stay for additional days should contact us for prices. There are many more small local reserves with rare endemics.
13 -28 September 2025
6250 USD
Single Supplement 650 USD
Included:
*Minimum number of participants 5, maximum 16.
For more information on our tours
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