Namaqua Wild Flower Spectacular

18-23 August 2025
5 Nights, 6 days.
Our guided tour of the wildflowers of Namaqualand starts from the Garden Route.
Explore exquisite scenery along the coast to the surrounding flower regions of the West Coast.
The main aim of the tour is to experience a dazzling array of wildflowers that occur across the wild valleys, farmlands, fields, the Cederberg, Clanwilliam and the breath-taking Swartland.

Day 1: Plettenberg Bay to Citrusdal

• Meet & greet as pre-arranged your Guide and vehicle in Plettenberg Bay/Knysna and continue along the Garden Route.
• First pitstop will be in Swellendam for a traditional South African roosterkoek with coffee or tea.
• Continue to Roberston, to visit the Sheilam Nursery. Discover plants such as The Old Man of Peru, Mother-in-Law’s-Chair, Horses’ Teeth, Elephant Feet, Klipplante (stone plants), Bushman’s Grape and lots more!
• Our next stop is for lunch at Four Cousins Winery. A family-friendly restaurant nestled at the edge of town that offers everything from a traditional breakfast to gourmet cuisine. Enjoy the complete range of Four Cousins products and award-winning craft Boet Beer on tap. Four Cousins is the story of two sets of brothers from the Retief family of Van Loveren Family Vineyards in the Robertson Valley, Western Cape.
• Continue to Porterville located at the foot of the Olifants River Mountains to Citrusdal at the base of the Cederberg Mountains through the Piekenierskloof mountain pass.
• After a quick stop at the Kardoesie Shop we spend the night at 3* Piekenierskloof Resort and Restaurant on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis..

Day 2: Citrusdal to Vanrhynsdorp

• Continue from Citrusdal, pass Clanwilliam in the Olifants River Valley at the foot of the Cederberg mountains to Nieuwoudtville. The two main towns, Citrusdal and Clanwilliam, are in this valley.
• In Nieuwoudtville we visit Hantam National Botanical Garden. The Garden comprises a vast area of over 6000 ha which includes representative patches of Nieuwoudtville Shale Renosterveld, Nieuwoudtville-Roggeveld Dolorite Renosterveld and Hantam Succulent Karoo.
• Follow the scent of blossoms to Boereplaas and Matjiesfontein, just beyond Nieuwoudtville.
• A short distance will take us to Vanrhynsdorp where we will spend 2 nights at 4* Letsatsi Lodge on a delicious dinner at the Red Ox, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 3: Vanrhynsdorp to Vanrhynsdorp

• Today is most certainly the highlight of the tour. Today we take a different route through the Knersvlakte. We travel towards the Bokkeveld Mountain range where we will drive up the Vanrhyn’s Pass. This pass promises some of the most awe-inspiring, views of Namaqualand you will ever see. After we reach the summit, we head towards Nieuwoudtville, the bulb capital of the world to the majestic Nieuwoudtville Waterfall and the quiver tree forest. We will also spend some time at the local Dutch Reformed church. This beautiful sandstone building has a very interesting story around its founding.
• Enjoy a cup of tea and some of the best pancakes ever.
• Return to Vanrhynsdorp

Day 4: Vanrhynddorp to Clanwilliam

• Today promises to be one of the most exciting and unique days of our tour! After another hefty breakfast, we visit the old historical prison.
• Just on the outskirts of Vanrhynddorp, we visit Maskam Guest Farm were we will see a diversity of flowers e.g. Nama-Karoo succulents, fynbos in the mountains and rare species of bulbs.
• After visiting the guest farm, we tackle the road towards Clanwilliam following the Olifants River.
• Today you can explore the area further and possibly do a Rooibos and Fynbos Tour. Other sights you can visit depending on interest: Ramskop Nature Reserve (if not visited on the first day), Flower Church (subject to season opening) and Rooibos Tea Tasting.
• We also visit the Strassbergers shoe factory where we will be able to see how authentic “vellies” are made before you can buy yourself a pair of “proudly South African vellies”.
• Lunch (own account) at a local farm soaking in the beauty of the flower region.
• Spend 2 nights in Clanwilliam at 4* Yellow Aloe Guesthouse/or similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 5: Clanwilliam to Knysna/Plett

• In Clanwilliam we head towards the Pakhuis Pass into the Cederberg Mountains and over the Brandewyn River. We travel towards the Biedouw Valley. This valley, permitting a good season, can boast some of the most beautiful flower spectacles you will ever see.
• We will have lunch (own account) at Traveller’s rest, amongst the beautiful array of flowers.
• We end our glorious tour, with a South African “Braai with Braaibroodjies” perfected by your own guide.

Day 6: Clainwilliam – Plettenberg Bay

• After breakfast, we leave for the Garden Route.
• Continue to Citrusdal located at the base of the Cederberg Mountains through the Piekenierskloof mountain pass.
• We then continue to Porterville located at the foot of the Olifants River Mountains.
• We enjoy lunch (own account) at a local restaurant in Swellendam, only to return back home, where we end our glorious Flower Tour.

Rates:

Includes

• Luxury air-conditioned 14-seater vehicle with your own personal, highly qualified guide.
• Accommodation on a shared basis and single basis.
• Accommodation and meals of the driver and/or guide.
• Meals as specified (5 breakfasts and 5 dinners).
• Excursions and transfers as shown in the itinerary.
• Relevant Park fees.
• All activities and entrance fees as mentioned.

Excludes

• Items of a personal nature.
• Drinks, entrance fees, porterage, tours/excursions and transfers not specified above.
• Staff gratuities.
• Any new Government taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control.

Things to remember:

• Accommodation establishments may change.
• Please bring cash as small farm stalls only take cash.
• Bring a warm jacket and a rain coat.

Payment structure on a tour:

• 10% payable within 4 days of receiving your invoice to secure this tour AND the balance 30 days prior to the start of the tour.

Cancellation Policy

• If you cancel your tour with a notice period of 65 days or more, we will refund 75% of the total booking cost or deposit received.
• 50 - 64 days notice - we will refund 50% of the total booking cost or deposit received.
• 36 - 49 days notice - we will refund 25% of the total booking cost or deposit received.
• 35 days or less - there will be no refund of any monies.
• Should you fail to take up your booking or tour, join it after departure or leave before it is complete, you will not receive any refund or credit.