Spring flowers in the Cape

[elsa hoffmann]

The West Coast of South Africa is known for its wild flowers in Spring. People come from all over the world to see this.
I can not claim to have seen or photographed the best of it - but this is just to give you an idea. The Fynbos is also particular to the Cape, and any botanist interested in Fynbos (fine-bush) can't get enough of it Can you imagine the UV one can do...
140830 West Coast 140 by elsa hoffmann, on Flickr
140830 West Coast 131 by elsa hoffmann, on Flickr
140913 Kirstenbosch 056 by elsa hoffmann, on Flickr
140913 Kirstenbosch 039 by elsa hoffmann, on Flickr
140913 Kirstenbosch 026 by elsa hoffmann, on Flickr
140913 Kirstenbosch 022 by elsa hoffmann, on Flickr
140913 Kirstenbosch 057 by elsa hoffmann, on Flickr

[Bjørn Rørslett]

You certainly have whetted my appetite, Elsa ... Andrea probably follows suit once her black eye-patch is gone.

Now, what time of the year is the optimum for seeing all these wonders?

[elsa hoffmann]

Namaqua land Flowers or west coast flowers season in the West Coast National Park is at its peak from August to September annually. There is a lot about it on the Web - google West Coast Flowers for a better overview.
One of my friends is BIG into photographing Fynbos specifically and joins a group of knowledgeable people, botanists and authors on the subject, almost on a weekly basis  - especially in season, to hunt down flowers and plants. In fact he recognised a new one last year which has now been described. One can enter the park for a day - probably an hour and a half from Cape Town - but there is much more than just the park. There is also table mountain and other areas with fynbos.
Any questions I can answer - let me know.

oh we also have Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens - in Cape Town - world class

[Fons Baerken]

Wonderful!
We had the opportunity to see some of the Fijnbos in 2008 both at Hermanus, just beyond the bay in the hills,
and at the Kirstenbosch gardens in Kaapstad.

[Frank Fremerey]

Wonderful. Destined to visit that place! How does it look in the winter?

[elsa hoffmann]

Ah Fons - then you are in a good position to say what you thought about it all. As a non- South African that is.
Hermanus is also one of my favourite places - so beautiful

Frankie - in winter - like a baby. wet and windy. Best time weather wise - March to May. Best time flowers - Aug/ September

[Gary]

I've never been to South Africa ... your images make me want to move there.

[elsa hoffmann]

Gary - bring Rick. He and I have a date for sitting on a pavement somewhere waiting for the world to go by.

I really enjoy having friends visit - I have had some NG members here before - and without exception - I know they want to come back.

so ..... open invitation!

[Bjørn Rørslett]

We may take you up on that promise, Elsa.... looking into airline costs right now. Seems pretty expensive for direct flights though, so will search around for alternatives. Perhaps go through Johannesburg instead of directly to Cape town.

[elsa hoffmann]

Johannesburg is a 1000 miles away from Cape Town.
You can get local flights form JHB to CT  - and there are many of them daily.

If you stay with me -  you stay for free so you save on accommodation!
Traveling out of CT will obviously cost you - but I can help form this side finding the cheaper places. Unless you got lots of money of course

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Apparently Johannesburg is more an international airline hub than cape Town.

I'm well aware of the massive distances in south Africa.  The Safari of 2009 is still fresh in mind ...

How far from Cape Town itself would we need to travel to get to these flower fields?

[elsa hoffmann]

I didnt know you were on safari here - or I forgot !

West Coast nature reserve is an hour and a half from my house.

LOTS of fynbos to get to day trips from my house. Up the West Coast and the other way - to Hermanus
Table Mountain - 30 min drive
Cape Point Nature Reserve - 30 min
Kirstenbosch - 20 min
Penguins - 20 min
Seascapes - all over the place

I will also out you in touch with the right people who will help sort where you go or even go with you.

Richard (Cloud 9 from NG way back) will also join you - he is always chasing flowers  - not just for photos but because of his interest and he is knowledgeable.

Yes JHB is bigger than CT for international flights.

[Gary]

Gary - bring Rick. He and I have a date for sitting on a pavement somewhere waiting for the world to go by.

I really enjoy having friends visit - I have had some NG members here before - and without exception - I know they want to come back.

so ..... open invitation!

... I said move not visit, lol. (I don't think I'm Rick's type.)

[elsa hoffmann]

LOL - many do just that - move.
most beautiful place in the world
view from my house: taken from my lawn.
(cell phone pic)

[Gary]

LOL - many do just that - move.
most beautiful place in the world
view from my house: taken from my lawn.
(cell phone pic)

Very very nice and tempting, (but living in California, there is much here to be used for argumentation).