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Wildflowers, Wine and the Cape Floral Kingdom - Botanical Histories in South Africa

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Tour leader
Carolyn Fry
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Dates
22 Aug
5 Sep
2024

The Cape Floral Kingdom is one of the richest areas of plant biodiversity in the world. This tiny region on the southern tip of South Africa has been identified as one of the world’s 35 biodiversity hotspots. One of only six Floral Kingdoms in the world – and the only one contained within a single country - it is by far the smallest and relatively the most diverse.

One of the outstanding botanical stars of the show is the beautiful and distinctive Fynbos vegetation, unique to the Cape Floral Region, which includes the famous protea. As well as its botanical significance, the southern tip of South Africa is spectacularly beautiful, particularly in the flowering season.

Travel with experienced botanical tour leader, Carolyn Fry, and learn about wildflowers and the Cape Floral Kingdom as well as experiencing the vibrant culture and history and enjoying the food and fine wine of South Africa: a journey that will leave you both uplifted and inspired.

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Reference:
RSA0824-1
At a glance
What you need to know
Type of tour
Cultural
Profession
Botanical History
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Nights
14
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Countries
1
Tour grade
Moderate
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Remaining places
10
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Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

1
Cape Town
Thursday
,
22
August
Arrive in Cape Town and check in to hotel with the day at leisure. Enjoy dinner at the hotel in the evening.
2
Cape Town
Friday
,
23
August
Visit Kirstenbosch Gardens and Compton Herbarium - the second largest herbarium in southern Africa. Drive to the Cape Flats to visit a non-profit micro farming community garden, Abalimi Bezekhaya, engaged in the conservation, rehabilitation and protection of this natural environment. Welcome dinner at Gold restaurant.
3
Cape Town
Saturday
,
24
August
Drive to the historic naval town of Simon's Town. Robert Brown, regarded as one of the finest figures in British botany, called in at the town in 1801 where he saw for the first time the protea. Continue to the Point itself and discover local, wild flavours including mushrooms, seaweeds, edible weeds and flowers. Return to Cape Town via the spectacular Chapman's Peak Drive and at leisure.
4
Cape Town / Hermanus
Sunday
,
25
August
Take the cable car up Table Mountain and enjoy a guided floral nature trek. Visit the VOC or Company Gardens, which Joseph Banks visited on the Endeavour voyage in 1771. Continue on a walking tour through the Bo-Kaap, which dates back to the Dutch colonists. Learn of the spices and herbs used in everyday Cape Malay cooking.
5
Hermanus
Monday
,
26
August
Travel to Grootbos and visit the Milkwood Forest, learning of the 1000-year-old trees and the Fynbos of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Take part in a walk of the Fynbos trail with Sean Privett and learn of his conservation work within the Cape Floral Kingdom. Return and option for whale watching along the coastal walkway.
6
Hermanus / Franschhoek
Tuesday
,
27
August
Drive to Overberg, heading inland to the famous wine growing region of Franschhoek.Visit the Fairview Estate for a wine tasting and time enjoy the scenery, cafe and shop on the estate. Visit Cucina Di Giovanni at Laborie Wine Estate for dinner with wine.
7
Franschhoek
Wednesday
,
28
August
Full day at leisure. Option to take the 'wine tram' for a range of tastings.
8
Franschhoek / Clanwilliam
Thursday
,
29
August
Drive to the Karoo Desert National Botanical Gardens near Worcester. This 154 hectare garden lies at the foot of the Hex River Mountain range and displays a wide variety of arid and semi-arid plants. Continue to Langebaan and the Windtown Lagoon Hotel.
9
Langebaan
Friday
,
30
August
Continue towards the Cederberg Mountains and take in spectacular surroundings and unique wildflower displays. This is the only place on earth where rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), a unique health-enhancing plant, is found. Visit a local rooibos farm at Skimmelberg and see how both rooibos and buchu are cultivated organically and take in the spectacular wildflowers when in season.
10
Langebaan
Saturday
,
31
August
Drive to the 27,000-hectare West Coast National Park along the coast. The park is a spectacular sight in spring, covered in the yellows, whites, reds and purples of a wide variety of wildflowers. Return in the late afternoon.
11
Langebaan / Himeville
Sunday
,
1
September
Drive to Cape Town to fly to Durban. Arrive Durban and meet with your specialist botanical historian, Elsa Pooley, and drive to the Premier Resort Sani Pass.
12
Himeville
Monday
,
2
September
Take a half day excursion with local expert Stuart McLean and explore the southern Drakensburg, wildflowers and ancient rock art by the Indigenous San people. Afternoon at leisure or option to visit the town of Himeville and the Himeville Museum and Cheese Farm.
13
Himeville
Tuesday
,
3
September
A full day tour up to the dramatic Sani Pass and onto the Sani Topp.
14
Himeville / Durban
Wednesday
,
4
September
Drive to Durban and transfer to the hotel. Farewell dinner.
15
Durban
Thursday
,
5
September
Morning at leisure and depart after breakfast or take the safari extension.
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Tour map

Plot your journey

Take a vivid journey through the floral riches of South Africa during its glorious spring, as each themed day reveals a new aspect of the region’s botanical history.

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What to expect

Tour highlights

Cape wildflowers
West Coast National Park

See the Cape wildflowers carpeting the West Coast National Park during the brief Spring flowering season

Ancient rock art
Southern Drakensburg

Take an excursion with local expert and explore the wildflowers and ancient rock art in the southern Drakensburg

1,000 year old trees
Hermanus

See 1,000-year-old trees and the Fynbos of the Cape Floral Kingdom on a specialist guided tour

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Beautiful landscapes

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Get more out of it

Extend your holiday

Pre-tour

Victoria Falls
19 - 21 Aug 2024

Enjoy a 2 night pre tour extension to beautiful Victoria Falls staying at the lovely A'Zambezi River Lodge. Cost includes a guided tour of Victoria Falls and a lovely sundowner cruise on an open sided boat along the Zambezi river. See brochure for full details.

Post-tour

Bayala Private Safari Lodge and Camp
5 - 8 Sept 2024

Drive up the coast to Bayala Private Safari Lodge and Camp for a relaxing two night post-tour extension. Enjoy time at leisure with game drives. See brochure for full details.

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Tour exertion grading

Is this tour right for me?

Moderate
Level 3

Some walking between destinations, more time spent standing, and increased travel distances. Requires a reasonable level of fitness.

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Your expert companions

Tour leaders

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Accommodation

Hotels

We like charm, comfort, convenience in location, and of course, excellence in service.

Cape Town

President Hotel Cape Town Gardens

Hermanus

Misty Waves Boutique Hotel

Franschhoek

Protea Hotel Franschhoek

Langebaan

Windtown Lagoon Hotel

Himeville

Premier Resort Sani Pass

Durban

Garden Court Umhlanga

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Ask us anything

If you have some questions about this particular tour, you can contact the Jon Baines Tours team by phone or email.

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02072239485
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