14 – 25 November 2012
The Western Cape is renowned not only for its magnificent scenery and superb climate but also its unique flora – about 6000 endemic species grow in the region. Deep blue agapanthus and jacaranda herald early summer in the Cape Province, and the King Protea in full flower is a highlight on one of our wild flower walks – a perfect escape from winter in the northern hemisphere.
Our botanist, Adrian Moehl, knows the Cape well and has worked for four winters at Kirstenbosch gardens on their Protea Atlas project. Adrian set up this tour and will lead it for the seventh year.
We have chosen comfortable, good 3-star and 4-star hotels in typical Cape style. In order to enjoy the flora of different areas we change hotels a couple of times; this has been kept to a minimum to alleviate too much coach travel. For the first three nights we stay at D’Ouwe Werf Hotel, Stellenbosch, a boutique hotel in the heart of this historical town, within safe walking distance of museums, art galleries and shops. We move on to our hotel in Constantia, near Cape Town. Our final three nights are in Hermanus at the Auberge Burgundy, a delightful guest house set above the picturesque old harbour in the historic centre, with views over Walker Bay and a chance to see the whales.
The Western Cape enjoys a Mediterranean climate and November is early summer. The temperatures are 20–25°C on the coast, with pleasant breezes off the sea. Inland is somewhat warmer during the day and cooler at night.
South African Airways direct overnight flights from/to London Heathrow to Cape Town. The flights are in economy class – upgrades are available.
Itinerary
DAY ONE – WEDNESDAY 14 NOVEMBER
Evening departure from London Heathrow – overnight flight with South African Airways direct to Cape Town, arriving in the morning after breakfast.DAY TWO – THURSDAY 15 NOVEMBER
Arrival at Cape Town airport with a short transfer to the comfortable Hotel d’Ouwe Werf in Stellenbosch. Meet Adrian Moehl for a light lunch in the hotel gardens. Our first introduction to South African flora with Adrian is an afternoon excursion to the Paarl mountains and the fynbos vegetation. We return to the hotel to enjoy dinner together.DAY THREE – FRIDAY 16 NOVEMBER
We spend the day in the small nature reserve of Helderberg or ‘clear mountain’, in the Hottentots-Holland mountain range. In 1960 its lower south-eastern slopes were proclaimed a sanctuary for the indigenous flora and fauna of the area. We walk through amazing slopes of proteas and discover some of the beautiful endemics. Leucospermum gueinzii, one of the Firework Pincushions should just be flowering. Many varieties of birds, including Cape sugarbirds, can be seen, with bontebok and tortoise. We return to the hotel in Stellenbosch, and enjoy a delicious dinner together in a local restaurant.DAY FOUR – SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER
Free morning to discover Stellenbosch. Afternoon excursion to the distinctive Lion’s Head, one of three famous mountains near Cape Town. Gentle walk through stands of silver trees (Leucadendron argenteum) and swathes of Watsonia borbonica to familiarise us with the two main vegetation types encountered during our stay: fynbos, rich in proteas, and renosterveld, well-known for its diverse range of bulbs. Rare endemics can be seen. We return to the hotel in Stellenbosch for dinner.DAY FIVE – SUNDAY 18 NOVEMBER
Depart from the hotel to spend a full day at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, world-renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora. Its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain is spectacular. In Kirstenbosch only indigenous South African plants grow and Adrian will guide us through the gardens. Lunch can then be enjoyed in the garden restaurant, with free time afterwards. Late afternoon we leave for our hotel in the Constantia winelands. This evening we enjoy dinner together in the hotel restaurant.DAY SIX – MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER
We leave after breakfast for Cape Point National Park on the southernmost fringe of the Cape Peninsula. The treacherous cliffs of this most south-western tip of Africa are where the cold Benguela current on the west coast and the warm Agulhas current on the east coast merge. We explore the unique flora of the national park; perhaps the rare Marsh Pagoda (Mimetes hirtus) of the protea family will be in flower. The special flora is highly adapted to the often stormy conditions and salty soil. Possible to see carpets of spring flowers. Rock hyrax, ostriches, bontebok and perhaps tortoise can be seen as well as baboons. Return along the spectacular coast to the hotel. Dinner together in the evening.DAY SEVEN – TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER
Today’s excursion is to Silvermine National Park, walking in the scenic Muizenberg Mountains. Stunning views and widely diverse flora with eye-catching pincushions (Leucospermum conocarpodendron), and probably huge carpets of Pelargonium cucullatum, the parent of many modern pelargonium hybrids. The coastal fynbos is rich in berry-bearing plants, attracting many birds. Interesting endemics such as Mimetes fimbriifolius, Erica urna-viridis and striking mountain dahlia (Liparia spendens) can be found. Return to the hotel before dinner on the coast at Hout Bay (not included).DAY EIGHT – WEDNESDAY 21 NOVEMBER
We leave after breakfast for Cape Town’s famous landmark, Table Mountain. In the afternoon the mountain top is often covered by cloud, forming the famous ‘table cloth’. This cloud is responsible for the necessary humidity on which many different plant species depend. Taking the cable car to the mountain top, we walk through restoid fynbos and may see species of orchids, ericas and members of the iris family. The mountain is relatively flat-topped and we reach the highest point, Maclear’s Beacon, at 3,563 ft. Sunbirds can be seen drinking nectar from pincushion (Leucospermum) and erica species. A full day to discover a diversity of mountain flowers. Late afternoon we arrive at our hotel, Auberge Burgundy at Hermanus, overlooking the bay famous for the southern right whales which may still be seen in November. We enjoy dinner together.DAY NINE – THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER
We spend the day in the biosphere reserve, Kogelberg, known as the heart of the fynbos – home to an incredible 1600 different plant species, making it one of the world’s richest sites of plant diversity! The Palmiet River trail is a good walk within the reserve, amidst stunning scenery, and we picnic on the riverside. We discover many different erica species, proteas and palmiet (Prionium serratum). Return to Hermanus for dinner.DAY TEN – FRIDAY 23 NOVEMBER
Morning excursion to the Fernkloof nature reserve to discover coastal fynbos around Klein River. Grey rhebok and Klipsringer can be seen as well as Cape sugarbirds. After our picnic, we leave for the mountains and Theewaterskloof dam near Villiersdorp, where we visit a farm specialising in the cultivation of protea. The farm manager and owner warmly welcome us and after a visit to the fields we enjoy afternoon tea in the farm house. Return to Hermanus for dinner together.DAY ELEVEN – SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER
Relaxed morning with a résumé by Adrian before we leave Hermanus. We lunch at Harold Porter’s Botanic Garden in Betty’s Bay before Adrian’s guided tour: a beautiful, peaceful garden specialising in the Kogelberg flora, ahead of our departure for Cape Town airport. Return overnight flight to London Heathrow with South African Airways.DAY TWELVE – SUNDAY 25 NOVEMBER
Our flight arrives into Heathrow early morning.
Tour Costs
Airflight, Hotel and Itinerary costs £3240pp
Accommodation based on 2 people sharing
b&b with private shower/bathroom
Dinner on 7 evenings/7 packed lunches
Full meals on flights
Supplement – single use of double room £480
Upgrade on flight available
Activity Level:
Stony tracks/paths. Ascents/descents on days 3/6.
Additional Information:
NAMIBIA: We can arrange 5/6 fascinating days at the end of the tour to see game or impressive landscapes. Please contact us for further details.