It’s that time of year again, wild-flower season, when Namaqualand explodes into a kaleidoscope of colour. While you may need a car to cover the vast Northern Cape landscape, you can escape its confines and stretch your legs with one or two magnificent hikes. This spring promises to be interesting as both the Helderberg and the Kogelberg Biosphere reserves were burnt to the ground and the latter in particular should provide an astonishing display after the rains.
“˜Don’t see the fires as a catastrophe,’ flower fundi Dominic Chadbon (aka The Fynbos Guy) explains. “˜Quite the opposite: fynbos, like the phoenix, needs fire, and visitors to these reserves after the winter rains will see a floral display of such chaotic and extravagant colour that it would put a Jackson Pollock painting to shame.’
Frolic in the flowers on the following trails:
West Coast National Park
The two-day Postberg Wild Flower Trail and the Steenbok Day Trail are open only during August and September. Great carpets of flowers are obviously the highlight, but the fynbos is equally impressive. The reserve is also known for its fauna and birding. Tel 022 772 2144, www.sanparks.co.za
Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve
There’s a range of day walks, from easy river strolls to strenuous mountain hikes as well as the overnight Highlands Trail. Check the status before heading out as the trails were temporarily closed. www.capenature.co.za
Swart Tobie Trail
This rustic trail traverses a remote, mostly inaccessible stretch of the Cape West Coast near the town of Koekenaap. You’ll walk through wonderful swathes of wild flowers and along beautiful beaches, as well as experience fascinating coastal landforms and, if you’re lucky, whales and dolphins. Two- or fi ve-day trails are available. Tel 0861 52 2262, www.jacanacollection.co.za
Sevilla Rock Art Trail
This four-kilometre trail along the Brandewyn River in the Cederberg takes you to nine rock art sites. It’s wonderful at any time of year, but the spring flowers make it spectacular. Permits cost R30 an adult. Tel 027 482 1824, www.travellersrest.co.za
Five-bay Trail
This new two-and-a-half-day, 28-kilometre guided trail is a leisurely saunter along the coast and explores the five scenic bays between Paternoster and Jacobsbaai. The journey through breathtaking landscapes also traces the history of fishing. Exploratory Trails are now open for bookings. Tel 0861 872 457, www.capebiosphere.co.za
Top tips for flower viewing
- Squat down and really look at the flowers; there are all sorts of little treasures hiding under the daisies and drab-looking bushes.
- Take a magnifying glass – you’ll be amazed at the detail you see.
- To make the most of the experience, hire a professional guide such as Dominic Chadbon. Tel 072-992-5636, email [email protected]
Look beyond the daisies
Namaqua National Park is part of the semi-desert succulent Karoo biome, a biodiversity hotspot that boasts an incredible array of succulent plants, more than 1 000 of which are endemic to the area. The Goegap Nature Reserve is a wonderful place to hike among the flowers and Skilpad Nature Reserve has lovely short walks. www.northerncape.org.za, www.sanparks.org
