Flora of South Africa

Our arrival in Cape Town was as the spring season was beginning, but the blooms were already putting on a beautiful show. From some familiar plants like Oleander and Hibiscus to some incredibly unique varieties that were not always able to be identified.

Most of our exploring has been focused around a few areas throughout November: Hout Bay, Table Mountain, and Chapman’s Peak marked here.

Location of these photos.

The photos here are focused on the wide variety of flowers and plants that we have seen. It has been a huge blessing to be here in spring as the plants bloom and share their beauty. As someone that has never been able to keep a cactus houseplant alive – the hardiness of this amazing vegetation in the harsh environment and provide an incredible display.

There are also places that are set aside in South Africa to share the amazing botanical magic. We visited Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. This garden is one of 10 national botanical gardens that cover 528 hectares (or 1,305 acres). The sprawling gardens are a sanctuary of botanical beauty and amazing vistas. Many paths crisscross through the gardens, some paved, others covered with paver stones, gravel matrix, or just neatly trimmed grass. Countless places to sit or spread a blanket to see the views, enjoy the beauty of a spring day.

There are a few signs like this: warning of the snakes that are found in the garden – many of them venomous. I particularily like their advice to "do not poke fingers into holes". Sound advice for sure! Luckily we have not seen any snakes.

This Guinea Fowl family did spend a little time investigating the humans in their midst.

At the back of the gardens and base of the mountains are paths that interconnect with Table Mountain. Biking paths (which are more abundant that we ever expected), running trails, and other walking venues outside of the official gardens. We stumbled onto Skeleton Gorge hiking trail; said to be the most direct route to the top of Table Mountain AND the most difficult. It was a long line of steps, until the steps became several sequential ladders.

But along the way up the mountain, the plants and vegetation proved their determination to display their beauty in some of the varying conditions. These Calla Lilies appears as stark contrast to the deep greenery and shade of the steep mountain sides.

Some of these amazing botanical specimens were seen along the Chapman’s Peak Drive. A famous 9 km (5.6 miles) driving route between Noordhoek and Hout Bay. We walked 3 miles of this route along the Atlantic Ocean. It is well worth the time out of the car and the up close and personal views.

We continue to discover new flora as we visit more areas of the Western Cape and continue to be stunned by the beauty as well as some of the fauna that has been widely talked about such as the penguins, seals, and baboons. MORE TO COME>