|
|
|
Available on request.
Our aim with this short visit to the West Coast is to introduce the fynbos of this area to our flower enthusiasts in such a way that it will become a lasting memory. We are also going to spend some wonderful time with our West Coast friends.
Fynbos is the name for the wide variety of plants in the Western Cape Province. Fynbos is one of the wonders of the world. Although it is by far the smallest of the world’s six plant kingdoms, it is rated as second because of its wide variety of 9 000 different species found in 90 000 square kilometers. 6 190 of these species are only found amongst the Cape flora.
Today the term fynbos refers to different sorts of plants – proteas, ericas, reed-grass, geophytes (including gladioli, lilies and orchids) – growing in the infertile soil of the southern point of Africa, characterized by strong winds and dry summers. The two main habitats of fynbos are mountains and coastal areas. Here you find categories such as heath fynbos, protea-, reed- and chrysanthemum-like fynbos. Heather fynbos is also known as erica fynbos because of the dominance by the erica family. Heather fynbos can be found in shallow, sandy, sour ground which is exceptionally infertile. It is usually found on damp natural seepage areas and marshes on steep, southern mountain slopes.
The main characteristic of the protea is that these plants are usually larger than the surrounding flora. They have a deep root system which helps them survive on the dry mountain slopes. Many of the species have limited distribution: long leaf sugar bush, oval leaf pincushions and “nodding” pincushions only occur on shallow beaches on sandstone. There is also a wide variety within the protea family, from the typical leathery leaf protea to the cone bearing plants, pincushions and delicate feathery serrurias. The specie with the largest flower bud is the giant protea, South Africa’s national flower. During May the flower bud of this plant can reach a 30 centimeter diameter.
Day 1
We shall try and get everybody together at 08h30 at the Cape Town International Airport so that we can depart at 10h00. (We will gladly assist with flight arrangements from the Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, George and Johannesburg airports)
We depart from Cape Town and take the N7. We should arrive at the National West Coast Park at about 13h00, where we will explore the sand dunes known as the Potsberg Nature Reserve. We expect to see the fynbos of this area in all its glory and to capture it on film.
Thereafter we travel through the West Coast Park at a leisurely pace, past Langebaan, arriving at our overnight destination in Saldanha during the late afternoon.
There will be ample time to unpack and unwind before we visit one of Saldanha’s best restaurants for supper.
Day 2
Today we visit Hopefield, main town of the Sandveld and we attend the annual fynbos show. This district is known for its more than 500 species of fynbos and its spectacular flower display in spring.
Hopefield was named after the two officials sent from the Cape to measure out the first stands in 1852.
This fynbos show is exceptional because the organizers display all the different kinds of fynbos in the area, with their botanical and popular names, in an indoor exhibition. Here we also go into the veld to have a closer look at the fynbos in its natural habitat.
Lunch will be available at the Hopefield Show for those who are hungry. (own account) We drive back to Saldanha and en route there will be more fynbos.
After arriving in Saldanha, those who feel up to it can go for a walk on the beach to stretch their legs before we all sit down to a delicious supper.
Day 3
After breakfast we depart for Clanwilliam, following the coastal route past places such as Velddrif, Dwarskersbos, Elands Bay en Lamberts Bay. We follow this route because the fynbos along the coast is exceptional. Today’s journey also affords us the opportunity to take a closer look at this coastline and to do some bird watching at Penguin Island in the bay of Lamberts Bay. From Lamberts Bay we travel over Graafwater to Clanwilliam.
Clanwilliam is situated at the confluence of the Elephants and Jan Dissel rivers with the Seder Mountains to the east. Clanwilliam is the centre of the rooibos tea industry. It is a beautiful town en indeed worthy of a visit.
For nearly 100 years Clanwilliam has been hosting an annual flower show during the last week-end of August. We will attend this show.
We also explore the fynbos of this area and then we visit a rooibos tea farm where they will show us how the end product is made. Rooibos tea is also a member of the fynbos specie and therefore fits in well with our fynbos tour.
We spend the night in Clanwilliam.
Day 4
After a tasty breakfast we start our leisurely journey back to Cape Town. The route criss-crosses the N7 to enable us to visit some of the smaller, well known little towns of the West Coast. Time will determine where we will stop but we will also try to visit a good wine cellar.
We should reach the Cape Town Airport at about 15h30 and we request everyone who will be flying home to arrange their flights accordingly.
Tour ends.
Hannes du Preez / Pumba Tours Destination RSA (Pty) Ltd trading as Pumba Tours PO Box 101016 Meerensee Richards Bay 3901 Tel: 035 753 3677/753 3962 Fax: 035 753 5875 E-mail: pumbatrs@iafrica.com
Price:
The total price for the full duration of the tour is available on request.
The price includes the following:
· All transport from the Cape Town Airport to the West Coast and back to the Cape Town Airport · All accommodation as per itinerary or similar · All gate and entrance fees to the different Parks and other sights as set out in the itinerary · Transport in luxury vehicles · All meals as per the itinerary · Public liability insurance of R20 million · Passenger liability insurance of R10 million · Full colour photos of the entire tour on compact disc (CD) This is going to be very special. · Complimentary DVD of the entire tour with music and captions · Well trained drivers and accredited guides.
|
