Rocherpan Nature Reserve
You hear them early in the morning: flamingos, lapwings, cormorants, ducks, grebes and every kind of gull imaginable. That’s your signal to grab your coffee flask and head to one of the three bird hides next to the pan. Take your time – the flowers only open later in the day. Rocherpan might be a small reserve, but it can keep you busy for a week. Bring all your toys: a flower guide, a book to read, a swimming costume, hiking boots, your mountain bike… The 7 km Guarrie Trail goes through strandveld where you’ll see white, yellow and orange daisies. Or follow the 2,5 km Beach Hopper Trail where you’ll see the near-threatened Babiana hirsuta flowering on the dunes – its flowers are fiery red. For lunch, braai near one of the bird hides or picnic above the sand dunes. In the late afternoon when the flowers close, you can watch the sunset from your stoep and listen to the sudden quiet that descends once the birds have gone to bed. Where can I see flowers? The flowers on the West Coast don’t follow the rules. You might see white or orange daisies (several species of the Ursinia genus) on any road in the area. Drive a circular route via Aurora, Redelinghuys and Elands Bay – mostly along gravel roads – and look for doll’s roses ( Hermannia scabra) and yellow varkslaai ( Conicosia pugioniformis). Facilities: There are eight cottages in total: four sleep four (double bed and a sleeper couch) and four sleep six (double bed, two single beds and a sleeper couch). Don’t be put off by the eco toilets – they “flush” with soil instead of water. Of the four-sleepers, Flamingo and Kingfisher are the most private. There’s also a swimming pool and a jungle gym for the kids. Rates: Daily conservation fee R40 per adult; R20 per child under 12; free with a Wild card. Four-sleeper cottage from R850 for two people; six-sleeper from R1 200 for four people. R150 per extra person. How to get there: Rocherpan is about 180 km north of Cape Town. Take the R27 to Velddrif, then follow the coastal road to Dwarskersbos. Go through Dwarskersbos and drive another 10 km. Contact: 079 203 1092 (office); 021 483 0190 (bookings); capenature.co.za
Note: The pan is dry from March to June. – Esma Marnewick park and it gives you the opportunity to set off on a flower mission early, while the day visitors are still waiting for the gate to open at 7 am. Duinepos is also an eco-friendly destination, with a focus on saving water and recycling waste. It’s a quiet spot, tucked into the coastal fynbos, and a prime spot for birdwatching. Where can I see flowers? Duinepos is 14 km from Seeberg, one of the most scenic viewpoints in the park. The famous Postberg section, which is only open during August and September, is 21 km away. Fields of marigolds ( Arctotis hirsuta) are a certainty in Postberg, but you can give yourself a pat on the back if you manage to find the only blue flower