DAY
ONE : BLOUBERG, SALDANHA AND LANGEBAAN LAGOON
From your hotel in the city, we proceed via
Milnerton right along the wide arch of Table Bay to Bloubergstrand
beach, from where you have the best panoramic views of Table
Mountain, as depicted on most postcards. We continue on the
West Coast Highway to Yzerfontein and on to Langebaan, known
for its shallow lagoon and its profusion of seabirds. Usually
we would lunch at the unique "Strandloper", a fish
restaurant situated directly on the beach where you can savour
a huge variety of local fish and shellfish. After a swim in
the cold waters of the Atlantic, we take you to "The
Farmhouse Inn" just around the corner, to allow you to
rest or walk along the endless beaches at sunset.
DAY TWO :
SALDANHA, PIKETBERG, CITRUSDAL & CEDERBERG
After a leisurely breakfast at this magic
place, we proceed to Saldanha Bay, generally regarded as the
safest harbour along the entire African coast and base of
our small navy. It played a significant role in the early
days of exploration of this entire region and had it not been
for the lack of fresh water, Saldanha (founded by the Portuguese)
would have been the mother city of South Africa. From here
we head inland via Velddrif towards the N7 which leads to
Namibia. We will pass Piketberg which overlooks one of the
grandest valleys in the whole world, wheatlands surrounded
by a circle of huge mountains, and boasts one of the loveliest
old churches, surrounded by a well-kept rosegarden. We climb
up Piekenierskloff Pass to Citrusdal, where - suddenly - we
encounter orange plantations, fed by the Oliphantsriver which
has carved itself a picturesque path through these rugged
mountains. We aim for Clanwilliam, having stopped en route
for lunch and a visit to a flower reserve, showcasing all
the indigenous flowers of the region, where we will overnight
at one of the many fine guesthouses, renowned for their warm
hospitality.
DAY THREE
: IN SEARCH OF NAMAQUALAND
DAISIES AND VYGIES
This day will be spent entirely in search
of the best viewing places of the flowers of the region. Usually
we will travers the Pakhuispass to enter the Biedouw Valley,
one of the most reliable areas, with a picnic lunch in the
old missionary outpost of Wuppertal; or we might head north
to Niewoudtville or Vredendal, all depending on the weather
and flower reports available from the excellent tourist information
offices of the flower areas. One of our favourite things to
do is to go through McGregor's flower reserve by tractor.
Tonight we want to treat you with one of
the most magnificent resorts in the whole of South Africa:
it is called "Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve",
situated at the foothills of the mighty Cederberg Mountains,
the reserve boasts more than 125 rock art sites, some dating
back 10 000 years. You would enjoy a sunset drive to view
a multitude of mammals, birdlife and more than 750 plant species.
This is a world-class resort in the wilderness! you will be
spoiled and pampered, especially at meal times (Member of
Relais et Chateaux).
DAY FOUR :
TO SPRINGBOK AND THE HEART OF NAMAQUALAND
After an early excursion to the Bushman paintings
of the resort, guided by a local expert, and one of their
scrumptious brunch buffets, we are heading north to Springbok
to experience the other, much more humble extreme of this
country of extremes. We pass through Klawer and will, believe
it or not, encounter vineyards, stopping for a wine tasting
at the local cooperative; after Van Rhijnsdorp, Bitterfontein
we will reach Kamieskroon. There we will visit the beautiful
Skilpad Nature Reserve, before proceeding to Springbok. According
to your choice, we will overnight either at a guesthouse or
a local hotel.
DAY FIVE:
WHOLE DAY IN THE GOEGAP NATURE RESERVE
After breakfast, the west coast tour takes
us to Goegap, a large nature reserve outside of Springbok.
We suggest an early morning 6 km hike along the escarpment,
before the heat of the day. As you will know, the flowers
always face the sun, so it is advisable to face westwards
in the mornings and eastwards in the afternoon to best view
the daisies and glorious vygies (succulents), which thrive
in the drier climate of the Northern Cape. This reserves has
many beautiful drives and we intend to have a typical South
African "Braaivleis" or barbeque at one of the many
picnic sites, in the midst of nowhere but natural beauty.
If you are up to it, we may pass through Okiep in the afternoon
to visit an old copper mine and museum and/or return to our
hotel/guesthouse in Springbok.
DAY SIX :
OVERLAND RETURN TO THE SOUTH : TULBAGH
Unfortunately, today we have to take a longish
drive back towards Cape Town, but with one more exciting stop-over
at the historic town of Tulbagh, totally renovated after a
major earthquake hit this village in 1968. The route will
take us some 460 km back to Piketberg, all along the way we
are likely to enjoy passing through fields of beautiful Namaqualand
flowers. Lunch at Piekenierskloof Resort or Noupoort Guestfarm,
situated above St. Helena Bay with the most expansive of views.
Along the R44, well-known wineroute from Piketberg all the
way to Somerset West, passed the Great Winterhoek mountains
to Tulbagh, where we will overnight Rijk's Ridge, a wineland
getaway of charm and tranquility - and good food to accompany
the delicious local wines:- enjoy!
DAY SEVEN :
BACK TO CAPE TOWN, THE BEAUTIFUL
OK, all good things have to come to an end
sometime, BUT a great drive awaits you after a late and leisurely
breakfast in the heart of the winelands. You will descend
from up high down Mitchell's Pass and Bain's Kloof, two of
road engineering's great feats, built by the great Thomas
Bains in the mid 19th century, through truly breathtaking
mountain terrain to Wellington and Paarl, where "Bosmans"
awaits you, known to be among the top ten restaurants in the
country, situated in the Grande Roche Hotel. You will want
to take your time over lunch. A very short drive takes you
back to Cape Town and your hotel.
WE TRUST THAT YOU HAVE BEEN EMPOWERED
BY "FLOWER - POWER"
PLEASE NOTE
THAT THE ABOVE FLOWER TOURS ARE FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTED ACCORDING
TO PREVAILING WEATHER PATTERNS AND RAINFALL CONDITIONS. WE
RELY ON FLOWER REPORTS FROM THE VARIOUS TOURISM AUTHORITIES
AND PLAN OUR TOURS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR CLIENTS. REMEMBER
OUR MOTTO IS ALWAYS :- "YOU TELL US YOUR WISHES, WE PLAN
ACCORDINGLY"
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