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Flower Season at Dolphin Beach Hotel

Flower Season in the Western Cape runs for a limited amount of time – August to September – but it is something everyone needs to experience at least once in their life! We at Dolphin Beach have the privilege of being near most sites of note. We recommend the following stops to feel as fresh as a daisy:

Darling (57,3 km)

Darling has been the centre for flower season for many years, with visitors often not having to look further than the road that leads there to find the renowned flora. The Darling Wildflower Society was established in 1917 and has been sharing Darling’s botanical wonders with the world since, while promoting the conservation of wildflowers in the district. The Society offers guided wildflower reserve walks and Darling is a base for the surrounding parks, such as the Harold Versfeld Nature Reserve and Darling Renosterveld Reserve. Be sure to visit one of the many wine cellars and Evita Se Perron while in Darling.

West Coast National Park (72,5 km)

Less than an hour’s drive away is the lovely West Coast National Park, the reserve we recommend visiting. Official flower season for the park starts 1 August and ends 30 September every year. The protected area of Postberg opens to the public, which, alongside the Seeberg/Mooimaak areas, offer fields of colourful flowers. Some of the flowers to spot include the Gousblom (yellow petals with a black centre), the White Rain Daisy (purple petals that fade to white, with a purple/black centre), and the Sporrie flower, which is the only blue flower in the park. Watch out for animals such as zebras, foxes, and even whales!

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (22,7 km)

Kirstenbosch is not to be overlooked during flower season. The botanical gardens offer beautiful flowers and other plants year-round. A guided tour promises the best opportunity to get to know the gardens, as the guides specialise their tours according to the season. Pack a picnic and don’t forget to walk the ‘Boomslang’ – the Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway!

Elgin Open Gardens (80 km)

The Elgin Open Gardens in Grabouw is a bit of a different flower viewing event. Not only is it accessible for a mere two weekends per year, but it also takes place a little bit later in the year than the normal flower season. A number of gardens are opened for 4 days total to benefit local charities. This is definitely worth the trip – view the local flora, shop at the stalls, enjoy lunch at the beer gardens, and take pictures of the surrounding forests and apple orchards.

The Western Cape comes alive during flower season and at Dolphin Beach we love showing off our beautiful province. Our rooms and cabanas offer the perfect base for flower viewing, with a comfortable and relaxing home to return to at the end of the day. Feel free to ask our staff for any recommendations for flower spots to visit and remember to tag us in all your adventures!