According to a press release from South African National Parks (SANParks), the flower season has started in the Skilpad Section of the Namaqua National Park.
The typical orange carpets at Skilpad are in full bloom. Orange daisies (Ursinia sp.); Varkiesknol (Conicosia sp.); Sporries (Heliophila sp.) and Pietsnot (Grielum humifusum) are just some of the species coming out en masse. There is countless other species to see as well.
The areas around Soebatsfontein have some beautiful patches of purple and yellow vygies. The pass between Skilpad and Soebatsfontein (4x4 only) is also very rewarding. The road to the park has nice patches of a variety of flowers.
The coastal areas are showing amazing diversity and color. Please note that you need a 4x4 for the Namaqua National Park coastal section.
The road condition to Skilpad is average with a few corrugations.
Further afield most of the road reserves have a variety of flowers. Springbok, Nababeep and Okiep is spectacular.
The little town of Kamieskroon is a proper "flower town" and you can easily spend a day or two in one of the local establishments and explore at your leisure.
Goegab is beautiful as well. The road from Kakamas to Springbok has a surprising variety and offers something different.
The road to Arkoep has a large orange field, amongst other.
The road to Leliesfontein has large fields of white, orange and yellow flowers of various species.
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden can be found at the eastern slopes of Cape Town's famous Table Mountain. The garden is one of eight South African National Botanical Gardens covering five of the country's six different biomes. Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous South African plants. The estate covers 528 hectares and supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest. The cultivated garden (36 hectares) displays collections of plants, particularly those from the winter rainfall region of the country.
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden can be found at the eastern slopes of the famous Table Mountain. The garden is one of eight National Botanical Gardens covering five of South Africa's six different biomes. Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous South African plants. The estate covers 528 hectares and supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest. The cultivated garden (36 hectares) displays collections of plants, particularly those from the winter rainfall region of the country.
The Botanical Garden was founded in 1913 to o preserve the country's unique flora. By this time the Garden was the very first one in the world dedicated to this intention.
The Name "Kirstenbosch" is believed to be a mix of "J.F. Kirsten", who used to be the manager of the land in the 18th century, and the Dutch word for 'forest' or 'bush'.
How to Get There?
By bus - There is a bus service to Kirstenbosch from Cape Town and Mowbray Station on working weekdays and the CitySightSeeing buses also visit.
By car - Kirstenbosch lies 13 km from Cape Town city centre. From the city, take De Waal Drive (M3) in the direction of Muizenberg, at the first traffic light intersection turn right (southwards) into Rhodes Drive (M63) and follow the signs to Kirstenbosch
The Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts UPDATE: Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts at Kirstenbosch every Sunday from 21 November 2010 to 3 April 2011. The new concert line-up will be announced in October 2010. UPDATE (26 Oct 2010): Line-up out now. Get it from www.oldmutual.co.za
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts are a fantastic way to spend a Sunday sunset in Cape Town. The open-air amphitheatre concerts cater for all music tastes, from jazz, folk, rock to big band Swing and are a delightful way to enjoy the surroundings and unwind. Held in the breathtaking setting of the botanical gardens, every Sunday between 17:30 and 18:30 from November to April, the concerts offer a unique experience. Part of the charm lies in the warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere, with music-lovers picnicking on the soft grass banks that slope downward towards the stage. Bring your friends and family and slip blissfully into another week listening to music on the Kirstenbosch lawns with a bottle of Cape wine and a delicious picnic. Johnny Clegg will open the 2009 Summer Concert Season on the 22 Nov 2009.Just Jinjer will open the 2010 Summer Concert Season on the 21 Nov 2010.
Ticket prices for this concert will be:
Adults – R95 per person
Botanical Society members – R85 per person
Scholars – R70 per person.
Tickets are available from www.webtickets.co.za. For more info about the rest of the 2009-2010 2010-2011 line-up see the facebook group of the Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Rhodes Drive, Newlands
Private Bag X7, Claremont
Tel: +27 21 799 8899
Fax: +27 21 797 6570
Information Office: (021) 799 8783
The Garden is open 365 days a year from 08:00 - 19:00 (September -March) and from 08:00 - 18:00 (April - August). The entrance fee is R35 for adults and R20 for South African students with student ID cards. Fees for school children (6-17 years old) are R10. Children under 6 years old and Botanical Society members have free entry. SA senior citizens have free entry on Tuesdays, if it is not a public holiday.
