South Africa's Flowers | Namaqualand Daisies | Cape Fynbos | Richtersveld | Drakensberg | Kirstenbosch Botanical

All the way up the West Coast - from Langebaan to Alexander Bay - and deep into the interior is a rainbow carpet of daisies between late July and September. After the winter rains the arid plains come alive with wild flowers in every colour.

Over 4 000 species adorn the area, most of which belong to the daisy and mesembryanthemum (vygie) groups. But there are also aloes, lilies and perennial herbs joining in the floral spectacle.

On sunny days flowers open roughly between 10am and 3.30pm and always face the sun - and on overcast days they remain closed. The most spectacular displays are usually in the Postberg Nature Reserve near Langebaan, around Clanwilliam and the Biedouw Valley, Vanrhynsdorp, Kamieskroon, Springbok and the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve in Nieuwoudtville.

For more information on the Namaqualand Flowers:

Namaqua National Park: www.sanparks.co.za; Tel: +27 (0)27 672 1948
West Coast National Park: www.sanparks.org; Tel: +27 (0)22 772 2144
See: www.capewestcoast.org
Darling info: Tel: +27 (0)22 492 3361
Langebaan info: Tel: +27 (0)22 772 1515; www.langebaaninfo.com
Vredenburg info: Tel: +27 (0)22 715 1142
Velddrif info: Tel: +27 (0)22 783 1821

Covering 553 000ha in the Eastern and Western Cape, the Cape Floral Kingdom is a World Heritage Site and one of the world's 18 biodiversity hotspots. While it covers just 0.5% of Africa, it is home to 20% of the continent's flora. There's outstanding diversity, density and endemism - amongst the highest in the world.

Referring to the small, fine leaves of the plants, fynbos includes the grassy-looking restios, dainty ericas and regal proteas. But there are around 8 500 species of fynbos and 5 780 species of these occur nowhere else on earth. Fynbos can be seen around Table Mountain, De Hoop Nature Reserve, the Boland mountain complex, the Groot Winterhoek wilderness area, the Swartberg mountains, the Boosmansbos and Cederberg wilderness areas and the Baviaanskloof in the Eastern Cape. In Mc Gregor the Vrolikheid Botanical Reserve is also well known for fynbos.

For more information on the Cape Floral Kingdom:

Peninsula National Park: www.sanparks.org; Tel +27 (0)21 701 8692

This area in the far Northern Cape has a variety of drought-resistant succulent flora unmatched in the world - and intermingled are representations from many plant families usually found in wetter environments. From an array of lichens to unusual stone plants, quirkily-looking succulents, ferns, euphorbias and aloes to orchids and swaths of daisies. There are also many rare species and some succulents that look like they belong with sea corals and anemones, while others appear crafted from wax and stone. In August and September, the Richtersveld is a riot of colour and bizarre desert flowers that are beyond imagination.

The succulent gardens in Worcester and Clanwilliam and the Beaverlac Nature Reserve in the Cedarberg are also highly acclaimed amongst botanists.

For more information on the Richtersveld:

Richtersveld National Park: www.sanparks.org Tel: +27 (0)27 831 1506
Clanwilliam info: Tel: +27 (0)27 482 2024
Citrusdal info: Tel: +27 (0)22 921 3210
Cederberg info: Tel: +27 (0)22 931 2900

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain, is one of the world's most celebrated botanical gardens. There are about 6 000 southern African species to be seen there, including proteas, pelargoniums, ericas, mesembryanthemums, ferns and cycads.

Walks take guests through herb and fragrance gardens and a cycad amphitheatre, and trails lead through forests of stinkwood, yellowwood and silver trees replete with birdlife. Visitors can buy plants to take home, enjoy meals and teas at the popular on-site restaurant and Sunday summer concerts on the lawn - just bring a picnic.

Also highly recommended to flowerphiles are the national botanical gardens in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Nelspruit, Bloemfontein, Pietermaritzburg, Worcester and Bettys Bay.

For more information on the Botanical Gardens:

Kirstenbosch: www.sanbi.org; Tel: +27 (0)12 799 8800
Walter Sisulu (Johannesburg): Tel: +27 (0)11 958 1720
Pretoria: Tel: +27 (0)12 843 5200
Natal (Pietermaritzburg): Tel: +27 (0)33 344 3585
Lowveld (Nelspruit): Tel: +27 (0)13 752 5531
Karoo Desert (Worcester): Tel: +27 (0)23 347 0785
Free State (Bloemfontein): Tel: +27 (0)51 436 3530
Harold Porter (Bettys Bay, Western Cape): Tel: +27 (0)28 272 9311