For a multitude of reasons South Africans from all walks of life are celebrating the arrival of level 2 of lockdown – and featuring strongly amongst them is anyone involved in the tourism sector as well as lovers of leisure travel who are now able to satisfy their wanderlust!
Much like the real estate sector, which experienced a surge of property sales due to pent up demand that developed over hard lockdown, it is anticipated that the tourism sector will see a welcome breath of life as South Africans clamour to get out and about after months of restrictions on movement.
According to the founder and CEO of Airbnb, Brian Chesky, and backed up by international examples, travel as we knew it will be changed post Covid-19. Amongst these changes will be a rise in people looking to travel locally – avoiding cross border journeys – and seeking off the beaten track adventures away from dense crowds and built up areas.
The perfect local adventure far from the maddening crowds
The West Coast Way, situated on the doorstep of Cape Town is the perfect on-trend travel destination for South Africans of all ages that are looking to get away. A beautiful, often wild stretch of coastline peppered with small towns that offer a vast array of activities and accommodation options, as well as some of the most pristine and untouched nature reserves, wetlands, lagoons and more.
And, as if celebrating the return to travel along with South Africans, nature is putting on a spectacle with carpets of wildflowers unfurling in what is a world-renown annual wildflower display.
“This is truly the perfect time to break away from the home bound restrictions we have all been under and get out to experience this year’s flower show – with reports indicating it is going to be a bumper year!” says Carmen Lerm, founder and CEO of West Coast Way, which is known as South Africa’s road trip with the most twists.
Where to see the flowers
According to Lerm, the town of Garies in Namakwaland is a good Northerly place to start for flowers. “Lower down on the N7 you will find another town famous for its flowers, Vanrhynsdorp. From here you can take a magnificent drive along the Vanrhyns Pass into the direction of Nieuwoudtville. Going further South, a 2-day road trip from Cape Town along the N7, takes you to Clanwilliam where the Pakhuis Pass takes you to Biedouw Valley and Wupperthal with many patches of unique flowers. Here you will find Louis Leipoldt’s Grave, and then there is also The Englishman’s Grave marked with the words ‘Brave and True’. Going on walking trails will give access to Wolfberg Arch and we recommend doing the Sevilla Rock Art Trail along the Brannewyn River too.”
“In late Spring, the flowers make their biggest performance in the West Coast National Park. Just an hour and 15 minutes out of the city, the Postberg wildflower nature reserve in the West Coast National Park is open only once a year, in August and September and is perfect for a day trip out of the bustling city into the wide open spaces of the Cape West Coast Biodiversity Corridor.”
Lerm explains that West Coast Way has developed six themed circular self-drive routes that traverse all the best areas to see the wildflowers. “These routes include the Tractor Route, Berg Route, Foodie Route, Culture Route, Wild Route and Cape Way Route – all with their own variety of carefully chosen attractions.”
“You can either follow the West Coast Way routemap or create your own self-drive road trip. Another wonderful option for those wishing to get out and about and see the wildflowers this season but not wanting to drive themselves, is a newly launched 3 day Wildflower Tour which sees small exclusive groups of guests being transported to all the best flower viewing sites, accompanied by a registered guide. The tour includes all accommodation and meals, as well as entry fees, and activities.
“Spring is in the air, lockdown has reached level 2 as we hopefully overcome Covid, the flowers are blooming and the tourism sector desperately needs the support of South Africans – there has never been a better time to visit and explore the Cape West Coast,” concludes Lerm.
For more information on how to see the flowers, places to stay and things to do on the Cape West Coast visit www.westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777.
Connect with West Coast Way on Facebook and Twitter at WestCoastWaySA.
