The Cape Flower Route is a fixture on most traveller’s bucket lists around the world, but for those of you who love a little nature (while reveling at the same time), we’ve come up with a few ideas for you this spring. We share our favourite experiences along the flower route, in locations such as Darling, Napier, Citrusdal, the West Coast and Clanwilliam, which will speak to everyone’s inner hippie…
Don’t be a shrinking violet! Let our your inner Daisy Duke come out and head off to flower country this spring.
Get an ear and eye full of Rocking the Daisies
What started out as festival only attended by a few hundred people, out in the middle of nowhere during the final crisp throws of winter (trust me, I was there), has evolved into one of South Africa’s biggest music festivals. Festival organisers have endeavoured to showcase the best local and international indie folk, rock and alternative music talent on their stages set amongst a sumptuous spread of spring blossoms.
This year, international bands MGMT, Rudimental, Cystal Fighters and The Presets are confirmed to play, from 2 – 5 October, at Cloof Wine Estate in Darling – no wonder it’s been dubbed Rocktober here in Cape Town.
‘Daisies’ is an institution, attracting dedicated festival-goers from around the world. Daisies trekkers are treated to a festival of flowers on the drive up towards Darling, which is flower country. The festival has grown so big that it now boasts 6 stages, a theatre, countless food stalls, shops, bars, accommodation and more surprises every year.
Tickets sell out faster than you can say ‘Love me, love me not”, so remember to grab a few as they go on sale. You can choose from VIP tents, normal camping, fixed accommodation at Cloof Wine Estate or in the neighbouring village of Darling.
Spring is sprung at Alien Safari
We can’t think of a much better way to celebrate the flowers than by feeling them in between your toes while dancing, so if you’re into that, Alien Safari ‘Sprung’ is for you. An institution in Cape Town, Alien Safari promises trance party lovers a weekend to remember, with their Spring celebration between 6 to 7 September in the Napier area of the Overberg.
This year, festival-goers will be treated to Dutch duo Riktam and Bansi, who will perform individually and together under their collaborative project Growling Mad Scientists (better known as GMS), as well as a host of local and international DJ’s, ready to get your dancing amongst the daisies. Pack your tents and your camping gear or book accommodation in Napier if you need a break from the beats.
A natural spring in flower country
The Baths in Citrusdal are one of our favourite natural springs in the Cape, made even more spring-fabulous by it’s location in one of the most beautiful flower regions of the country. The Baths are usually booked up months in advance, so remember to enquire about accommodation long before flower season approaches, were lodgings include camping, self-catering, apartments with private spa baths and dormitory style accommodation.
The Baths are equipped with everything the whole family could desire, with the addition of an excellent restaurant on site, a pool table and a shop selling goodies for self-catering guests.
Wildflowers in the wild West
The West Coast is prolific for flower-hunting – and what better way to fuel your expedition than with fresh, rustic West Coast cuisine straight from the sea at The Strand Kombuis in Yzerfontein and The Strandloper in Langebaan. These two tasty treasures are both based on a dune above a long stretch of beach and serve around 6 courses of fresh seafood prepared in a traditional West Coast manner.
You’ll be in for the long haul at both these venues, so dedicate an entire day to it (not only because you won’t be able to move afterwards!) but because it’s is more of an experience than simply a lunch. Expect crayfish bisque, hot bread baked in outdoor beach ovens, succulent fish pulled straight from the sea that morning and barbequed crayfish.
Everyone should experience these two incredible open-air restaurants when visiting Cape Town, especially during flower season, when nature and the soulful beauty of the West Coast meet to put on one of the most vivid shows on earth.
Thread flower crowns at Enjo Nature Farm
Enjo is a soul place that is close to our hearts, largely due its exquisite location in the midst of rolling fields of daisies during flower season. Rustic homesteads and cottages ranging in size pepper the hills and riverbanks of this special venue, making it not only a gorgeous romantic escape, but a visual feast for nature-lovers and families too.
Spring-fed pools and a river offer kids hours worth of fun, while hiking and star-gazing will enthrall all members of the family.
Fields of gold in the Overberg
The canola fields of the Overberg spring into bloom from mid-July for a few weeks until approximately early September. Vast yellow landscapes make for stunning photograph opportunities – but why not take the chance to get to know the smaller villages around them while you wrestle with the flower power?
The most abundant areas for viewing this natural spectacle are between Stanford, towards Caledon and Napier; small towns which offer a wealth of accommodation to suit all pockets.
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