The West Coast Flower route is a scenic drive that takes you from Cape Town to some of the most beautiful parts of the West Coast of South Africa. This drive covers a distance of 316 km and can take between 6 to 10 hours, depending on how many stops you make along the way. The best time to take this drive is in August and September when the wildflowers are in full bloom, covering the fields and the coast along the West Coast.
The drive starts in Cape Town and takes you to the Durbanville wine route, where you can do some wine tastings and pairings. The area is known for its Sauvignon Blanc, and many wine farms in Durbanville have interesting pairings such as wine and nougat, MCC and macaroons, etc. From Durbanville, the drive continues to Melkbosstrand, a coastal town with white-sand beaches and sand dunes.
The West Coast National Park is the closest place to Cape Town where you can see the famous Namaqualand flowers. The park offers a unique combination of fields and hills covered in a flower carpet next to the white-sand beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. There are several hiking, cycling, and driving routes inside the park that will take you to the most spectacular corners of the West Coast.
Langebaan is a small town with a beautiful lagoon and long sandy beaches, which is one of the most popular places for kitesurfing in Cape Town. During the summer months of December to February, it’s the best time for kitesurfing. However, if you visit it during the flower season, it’s unlikely there will be any wind.
Paternoster is another small town on the West Coast with traditional fishermen’s white houses, endless white sandy beaches, and a beautiful coastline. Paternoster is famous for its fresh seafood and fish restaurants as well as bakeries. It’s a nice place to stop for lunch with incredible sea views.
In conclusion, the West Coast Flower route is a beautiful drive that offers stunning coastal scenery, wine tastings, hiking/driving, and enjoying wildflowers. While the best time to take this drive is during August and September when the wildflowers are in full bloom, the area is beautiful any time of the year and worth visiting even outside the flower season. This drive can be a perfect start for a Cape Town – Namibia road trip.
