Visiting South Africa during springtime has many advantages, the days are warm with cool nights, sipping wine at the wineries, strolling or lazing at the waterfronts stunning sights - from Table Mountain to Cape Point, from Langebaan Lagoon to the natural flower display in Springbok. There's just something about visiting 'The Jewel of Africa' in springtime when our landscape turns to gold - the barren wastes of a semi-desert transform into a vista of colour when all the wonderful flowers open their faces to the sun. Spring brings countless festivals and events to our Namaqua flower region, enabling visitors and locals alike to enjoy the awesome beauty of this yearly event. One such festival is the Clanwilliam Annual Flower Show, which is hosted for seven days in the last week of August of each year. This festival offers visitors a chance to see a mass show of the local indigenous flowers in the Old Church building in Clanwilliam - the local flower reserve Ramskop (Rams Head) Nature Reserve will also have a breathtaking display of flowers. What's more, there will be a Street Market where locally made products will be for sale and for a small fee you can buy yourself a traditional meal from the stalls. Not too far from Clanwilliam in the Cedarberg Mountains is another wonder worth taking a look at, the Sevill Rock Art trail this consists of a series of ten San Bushman rock art sites along a walking trail, taking about three hours to visit all sites (don't forget to wear the correct hiking shoes as the ground is not very even). The terrain is not challenging and one does not have to be too fit to tackle this short hike. The Springbok area is another area where flowers can be seen in vistas of yellow and gold, mauve and orange.There are several Nature Reserves and private farms that are made available for the public to enjoy. From here you can travel south to the Kammieskroon area where the Namaqua National Flower Reserve and the Skilpad Nature Reserve (WWF) are, to see the floral displays there. Travelling further south you come to Knersvlakte where you can visit the famous succulent nursery en route to Nieuwoudtville. Nieuwoudtville is situated on a high plateau which towers over Knersvlakte giving one views over the beautiful panorama below. In this area there are many natural wonders, the Nieuwoudtville waterfall, the southernmost Quiver tree forest in the world and of course in season flowers, flowers and more flowers. There are beautiful examples of sandstone buildings dotted around this quaint village including a beautiful sandstone church. The Little Karoo which has biodiversity found nowhere else in the world, situated between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountain ranges is an area where the plants have adapted and survived in the harshest of conditions. Many of the plants found here are unique to this area. A large variety of succulents, bulbs, herbs, fungus, stone plants and trees flower here in spring making this area very fascinating for those who take the time to look at the smaller and often more beautiful plants found here. To get to this area one has to cross one of the mountain ranges which are covered in Fynbos, Renosterveld and Protea. Regardless of whether you choose to visit South Africa for the festivities, its wildlife or simply to enjoy the wide range of sights and attractions available, you are sure to find something that appeals to you. It is therefore, perhaps advised, that you plan your itinerary well in advance, to ensure you get everything fitted into your trip! The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes to highlight the beauty, vastness, wildlife and diversity and South African hospitality. Patrick Duddy writes articles for the tourism industry in the Cape Provinces of South Africa and is himself a tour operator. This is a promotional article and is intended to attract people to South Africa for wonderful holidays. See http://www.naturetouring.co.za/package-tours/index.html
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