KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Spare time for photos.

If you’re a keen photographer, you might want to spend hours in one field of flowers. Keep this in mind when you’re planning your day. ( Turn to page 58 for reader photos from previous flower seasons.)

Leave early. The flowers open late in the morning when it’s warmer, so you have enough time to drive from one overnight spot to the next.

Find the flowers. The current drought has affected the flower regions. Call ahead to find out where the flowers are in bloom. The places below should be able to tell you which species are in bloom and where: • West Coast National Park: 022 772 2144; sanparks.org/ parks/west_coast • West Coast tourism office: 022 433 8505; capewestcoast.org • Darling Flower Hotline: 072 938 8186 • Clanwilliam tourism office: 027 482 2024; clanwilliam.info • Ramskop Wildflower Garden: 027 482 8012 • Vanrhynsdorp tourism office: 027 219 1552; namaquawestcoast.com • Nieuwoudtville tourism office: 027 218 1336; nieuwoudtville.com • Garies tourism stall: 027 652 1220 • Springbok tourism office: 027 712 8035

Don’t panic. During flower season, local residents often rent out rooms to visitors. If the accommodation options listed here are fully booked, the tourism offices in the different regions can suggest other options. There’s usually an accommodation list pinned to the notice board outside every tourism office. FLOWER SHOWS • Hopefield has a flower show from 24 – 27 August. You can see more than 200 species from the area. It’s 70 km from Rocherpan, so will make a nice day outing. 083 265 7529 • Darling is about 30 km from the West Coast National Park and hosts its 100th Wildflower Show from 14 – 17 September. R60 per adult; R40 per pensioner; R40 per child from quicket.co.za or at the gate. 084 916 1111; darlingwildflowers.co.za • The week-long annual flower show in Clanwilliam will take place from 25 August – 2 September. R50 per adult; R10 per child. 027 482 2024; cederberg@lando.co.za