Choose your country and language:

Africa

  • Global
  • Angola
  • Botswana
  • DRC
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • Kenya
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nigeria
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
  • shotLeft

Americas

  • USA
  • Argentina
  • Brazil

Asia Pacific

  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia

Europe

  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • United Kingdom
Back
Western Cape

TThe Cape Floral Region, stretching from the Peninsula to the Eastern Cape, is unmatched with regards to flower power. Accounting for less than 0.5% of the continent of Africa, the Cape Floral Region holds an astonishing 20% of its flora, most of it indigenous to this specific region.

The Cape Floral Region’s bounty of plant life has proudly earned South Africa a place among the world’s top-rated locations for biodiversity. Much of this rich, natural heritage cannot be seen anywhere else on earth. Covering 90 000km², it is estimated that each 1000km² of this floral kingdom contains a staggering 465 species.

Did You Know?
TThe Cape Floral Region is one of only six floral kingdoms in the world.

TThe Cape Floral Region is uniquely South African; unique in that a large percentage of this floral wealth is indigenous to the country. Its incredible richness enables South Africa to claim the third-highest level of biodiversity in the world.

TThe Table Mountain National Park, one of a chain of eight protected areas encompassed by the region, packs more plant species into its 22 000 hectares than entire countries like the British Isles or New Zealand.

The Cape Floral Region, a World Heritage Site, begins at the Cape Peninsula and trails along a mountainous path to the Eastern Cape. Besides Table Mountain, it takes in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, Boland, the Groot Winterhoek wilderness area, the Swartberg mountains, the Boosmansbos wilderness area, Cederberg and Baviaanskloof.

Plant life includes Fynbos, a vast group of plants that has tickled the fancy of scientists who marvel at its adaptive responsiveness to fire and its impressive reproductive strategies. Famous Fynbos families are the Proteas (also the country's national flower), the Ericas (heaths) and the grass-like Restios. Gardeners will be familiar with more common species like aloes and Geraniums, and some of the 1400 bulb species, such as Gladioli. This flower kingdom is the origin of some of the world's favourite plants such as Freesias, Nerines, Agapanthus and Ixia. And, of course, those beloved Geraniums and Pelargoniums.

The Cape Floral Region, Western Cape

Food
When to visit
How to get here

OOne of the leading attractions in the Cape's active floral tourism sector is Cape Town's Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden – a floral mosaic that delights even those with little interest in plants. Located on the lower reaches of Table Mountain, most visitors like to wander its well-marked paths at their own pace, although tours can be taken.

This region holds 20% of Africa's flora and 3% of the plant species on earth. The Cape Peninsula alone has 2285 species, on an area a third the size of greater London. It has three times more plant species per square kilometre than those fabulously lush rainforests. This is why it was declared one of the world's 34 biodiversity “hot spots”, and in 2004, was confirmed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

South Africa's conservation of Fynbos is critical to the survival of this botanical treasure. Many Fynbos species are specialists and some occur only on a few hectares – nowhere else. Encouragingly, 20% of this kingdom is officially conserved, but its sheer diversity means that much remains unprotected.

South Africa has an abundance of beautiful, indigenous flora. Knowing a little about our Proteas, succulents and other indigenous species may help you to identify some of these beauties when visiting. They come in an array of shapes, forms, colours and sizes.

Who to contact
How to get there
Best time to visit
How to get around
Length of stay
What to pack

Related articles

  • Breathtaking scenery

    Paragliding in Hermanus offers spectacular views

    Breathtaking scenery
    Paragliding in Hermanus offers spectacular views
    Paragliding in Hermanus, a beautiful town in the Western Cape famous for its whale watching, gives you the best aerial views to watch these ocean giants.
  • Breathtaking scenery

    An aerial view of the Garden Route

    Breathtaking scenery
    An aerial view of the Garden Route
    The Garden Route and its spectacular coastline can be seen from small aircraft, helicopter or hot-air balloon. It can also be explored by foot in the Garden Route National Park.
  • Active adventure

    Rovos Rail

    Active adventure
    Rovos Rail
    Rovos Rail is a train company that offers passengers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Exploring South Africa by railroad doesn’t get fancier than this. Cross stunning expanses of countryside while sipping on champagne. Relax into a serene routine and channel Agatha Christie in the lap of luxury.
  • Breathtaking scenery

    Platbos Forest

    Breathtaking scenery
    Platbos Forest
    Platbos Forest is Africa’s southernmost forest, located in the Western Cape’s Baviaanspoort hills. This endangered ecosystem is known as a relic forest, home to trees that are over 1 000 years old. Scientists are amazed that the indigenous forest has survived this long, in spite of climate change and other environmental challenges.
  • Breathtaking scenery

    The Elim wine route

    Breathtaking scenery
    The Elim wine route
    You won’t find a wine route further south than the Elim wine route. A handful of winemakers set out to conquer the inhospitable Agulhas Plain terroir, known for its extreme weather and jagged coastline.
  • Breathtaking scenery

    A French Affair in Franschhoek

    Breathtaking scenery
    A French Affair in Franschhoek
    The Franschhoek Wine Route offers an array of innovative food and wine pairings. The town of Franschhoek has a rich Gallic heritage dating back to 1688 and refers to itself as ‘South Africa’s gourmet capital’.
  • Breathtaking scenery

    A trip to the top of Table Mountain by cableway

    Breathtaking scenery
    A trip to the top of Table Mountain by cableway
    Take the Table Mountain cableway to immerse yourself in the Cape Floral Region where nearly 1 500 species of plants can be found on the mountain alone.
  • Breathtaking scenery

    West Coast Wine Route

    Breathtaking scenery
    West Coast Wine Route
    The West Coast Wine Route follows the N7 North and has a surprisingly large selection and quality of award winning wines to chose from. It includes boutique and garagiste producers, along with some of the largest wineries in the country.

South Africa on social media

Copyright © 2024 South African Tourism
|Terms and conditions|Disclaimer|Privacy policy