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Our aim with this 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 varieties 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 in 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 bushes, 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, taking the N7. We then follow the R27 to our first destination, Saldanha. The schedule provides ample time to stop along the way where there are large patches of beautiful flowers. We should arrive at the Stone Castle Guest House in Saldanha at about 13h00. During the afternoon you can relax to enable us to start day 2 of our tour well rested. Stone Castle is a unique stone building in the shape of a Mediaeval castle and is built on the beach. Each room in this three storey building has a unbelievable view over the bay of Saldanha. The hospitality of the owners is another reason we always return.
There will be ample time to unpack and unwind before we have supper at one of the many restaurants in Saldanha. (light meal en route and supper included)
Day 2
Today we visit the West Coast National Park 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 capture in 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.
During the early evening we once again enjoy a tasty meal before getting into bed for a good night’s rest. (breakfast, light lunch & supper included)
Day 3
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.
The fynbos show here 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. 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 a lot more fynbos to be seen.
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. (breakfast & supper included)
Day 4
After breakfast we depart for Lamberts Bay, taking the coastal route past places such as Velddrif, Dwarskersbos and Elands Bay.We take this route because of the exceptional fynbos along the coastal dunes. It 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. (breakfast & lunch included)
Day 5
From Lamberts Bay we travel over Graafwater, Clanwilliam, Klawer and Vanrhynsdorp to Nieuwoudtvillle. En route we attend the annual wild flower show in Clanwilliam. Upon arrival at Nieuwoudtville we will look at flowers and plants in the surrounding areas. We spend the night in Nieuwoudtville. (breakfast, light lunch & supper included)
Day 6
After breakfast we leave for Calvinia. Upon arrival, we follow a short route along the Hantam Mountains to a farm named “Toring”. The flower display in this area is exceptional and here we go into the veld to have a really close look at the wide variety of flowering plants. Afterwards we journey a short distance to a place where we will enjoy a light lunch in true traditional style, unique to the area. This really promises to be something exceptional. We overnight in Calvinia. Breakfast, light lunch & supper included)
Day 7
After a hearty breakfast we continue our journey and leisurely travel back in the direction of Clanwilliam where we are going to spend the night. 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. Rooibos tea is also a member of the fynbos specie and therefore fits in well with our fynbos tour. It is a beautiful town and indeed worthy of a visit. If time permits, we will take a short journey over the Seder Mountains to one of the farms where there is a wonderful display of flowers yearly. This should be a special experience.
We spend the night in Clanwilliam. (breakfast & supper included)
Day 8
After breakfast we head back in the direction of Cape Town. The route criss-crosses the N7 which will enable us to see some of the smaller, well known towns of the West Coast, to eventually get us to Wellington at a leisurely pace, where we are going to spend the night. Time will determine where we stop but we will also try and visit a good wine cellar.
After arriving at Wellington we relax with a glass of wine at a quest house at the foot of the Bainskloof Pass. This pass was named after the master road builder, Andrew Geddes Bain, who built this pass, starting in 1849 and finishing it four years later, using convict labour. (breakfast & supper included)
Day 9
A hearty breakfast is just what is needed before the wine tasting, otherwise the day might turn out to be quite interesting! We visit the cellars at Bovlei and Wellington. Our guides will provide you with in depth information regarding these cellars and the little towns. Thereafter we depart for the airport and en route we stop at the Mooiberge Road Stall. This is an exceptional road stall and a good place to end our tour.
We would like to request that everyone flying back to their destinations, arrange their flights taking into account that they will only be able to depart from Cape Town Airport at approximately 15h30.
Tour ends
@ JJ 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 8 day tour amounts to R8 500.00.
The price includes the following:
· All transport costs · All accommodation · All meals as per the itinerary (two meals per day plus other meals as per the itinerary) · All gate and entrance fees to sights as set out in the itinerary · Transport in luxury small bus (14 seater) · On board refreshment in the form of mineral water · Public liability insurance of R10 million · Passenger liability insurance of R20 million · Full colour photos of the entire tour on compact disc (CD) · Complimentary DVD of the entire tour
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