Flora of the Cape

Info

This tour starts in the mother city ofCape Townwith its impressiveTableMountainand theCape of Good Hope.Southern Africais home to more than 24.000 species of plants and every year about 50 new species are found. One of the reasons for this huge diversity of species is the multitude of different habitats. Here you find two different oceans, rainforest, grassland, savanna, desert and many mountainous regions. Explore the spectacular “Fynbos”, the uniqueNamaqualandand De Hoop Nature Reserve with its lowland Fynbos.

Day 1: Cape Town

Day 2: Cape Point

Day 3: Table Mountain

Day 4: Kogelberg Nature Reserve

Day 5: De Hoop Nature Reserve

Day 6: De Hoop Nature Reserve

Day 7: Wilderness und Oudtshoorn

Day 8: Small Karoo

Day 9: Cederberg Mountains

Day 10: Cederberg Mountains

Day 11: Niewoudtville

Day 12: Bokkeveld

Day 13: Namaqualand

Day 14: West Coast National Parks

Day 15: Transfer to Cape Town

Itinerary*

Day 1: Cape Town

After the pickup from the airport and transfer to your accommodation you can spend the day at leisure. We recommend a walk through the beautiful city.

Day 2: Cape Point

In the morning we drive to Cape Point, the south-western most point of Africa. Here we find two different kinds of Fynbos. The Strandveld with its many succulents species and the Mountain fynbos with its diversity of Proteas and Ericas. In the afternoon we visit the Silvermine Nature Reserve, famous for its orchids (Disas) and Mountain fynbos (i.e. endemic leucodendron argenteum). B

Day 3: Table Mountain

Today we go for a walk on the eastern side of Table Mountainin the famous Kirstenbosch botanical gardens. Here about 6000 plant species occur on 36 hectares. The adjacent areas consist of 500 hectares Mountain fynbos and afro- montane forest with another 900 plant species.

In the afternoon we take a walk on the dry western side of TableMountain. B

Day 4: Kogelberg Nature Reserve

We leave Cape Townand head east to Kogelberg Nature Reserve. Here about 1600 Mountain fynbos species grow, of which 150 are endemic. BL

Day 5: De Hoop Nature Reserve

After spending the morning in Kogelberg Nature Reserve we drive east to De Hoop Nature Reserve. On the way we visit Hermanus, famous for its Southern Right Whales and Cape Agulhas, the southern most tip ofAfrica. BLD

Day 6: De Hoop Nature Reserve

De Hoop Nature Reserve is the biggest reserve in theCaperegion. On a game drive we will almost definitely see some Ostrich, Bontebok, Mountain Zebra and Eland, the largest antelope inAfrica. One of the highlights here is whale watching. From May to November this is the main breeding and calving spot for Southern Right Whales, which can be observed from the high sand dunes along the beach. This is one of the last areas where Lowland Fynbos occurs. We explore its many bulbs, succulents, Erica- and Restio species. BLD

Day 7: Wilderness und Oudtshoorn

TheGarden Routeis one of the most beautiful areas in southernAfrica, and hosts a vast diversity of plant species. We visit Wilderness National Park where we take a walk in an afro-montane forest. Via theOuteniquaPasswe reach the smallKarooand overnight in Oudtshoorn. BLD

Day 8: Small Karoo

We explore different parts of the small Karoo, which is famous for its Mountain fynbos, succulents and aloes. BLD

Day 9: Cederberg Mountains

Today we take a long drive through the small Karoowith several stops to look at many interesting flowers. In the evening we reach the southern parts of the Cederberg Mountains. BLD

Day 10: Cederberg Mountains

We explore the area around Ceres. Here we find many different species of Mountain fynbos like Leucospermum reflexum and Protea Cryophila, which is found nowhere else in the world. BLD

Day 11: Niewoudtville

We head north through the Cederberg Mountainsand the orange plantations of Citrusdal to reach Niewoudtville in the evening.  BLD

Day 12: Bokkeveld

We explore the „Bokkeveld“ with its tubers and aloes such as the famous Quiver Trees, Aloe dichotoma. BLD

Day 13: Namaqualand

Today we explore the Knersvlakte (succulents and „living stones“) and the flowering Namaqualand. Depending on where the rain has been falling the flowers are found in different areas in this unique semi-desert area. BLD

Day 14: West Coast National Parks

We visit theWest CoastNational Parkwhich is an important reserve for the rare coastal Fynbos. The National Park is situated around the bird sanctuary of the Langebaan Lagoon. BL

Day 15: Transfer to Cape Town

                           Meals:   B= Breakfast   L= Lunch   D= Dinner

*subject to change without notice

Price and Services

Price :                        2980 Euro

Prices include:

• Accommodation in twin rooms of lodges and national park bungalows
• 3 wholesome meals a day (except where indicated)
• Transport in reliable, comfortable vehicles
• All entrance fees
• All excursions
• English speaking Botanical Specialist Guide

Not included:

• Soft drinks, alcohol
• Tips and personal expenses
• Travel Insurance and visas

FURTHER INFORMATION

Group size: 4-8 people

Single room: Available at extra cost

Visa: not required

Entry: passport (valid for at least 6 month)

Vaccinations: No vaccinations are compulsory

Departures

Detailed tour itinerary