The plant life in Southern Africa is especially stunning, with ten per cent of the world’s floral kingdom concentrated within the country’s borders. The Western Cape contains one of the world’s six Floral Kingdoms: though it is the smallest, it is the richest, with some 8,500 plant species, including orchids, lilies, gladiolas, freesias, geraniums, numerous succulents, and proteas.

Be sure to visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in the Cape Province where you can enjoy some 6,000 species of plants. Take a tour of Kirstenbosch and other magnificent gardens at the National Botanical Institute's website.

Many flowers that are domesticated in other parts of the world grow wild in Southern Africa. The flora ranges from semi-desert succulents to small patches of subtropical forest. Fynbos ("fine bush") is one of the most complex and important floral kingdoms in the world and is the dominant vegetation type in the Western Cape. 

Experienced environmental guides offer an exploration of Southern African ecosystems from alpine to fynbos. Contact us if you are interested in accompanying one of these specialist guides on a trip; several trips are scheduled each year. 

An annual highlight for flower lovers is the brief blossoming of millions of wild flowers in the Namaqualand area after the first spring rains.

Don’t miss the Modjadji Nature Reserve in the Northern Province which provides protection to the world’s largest concentration of any single cycad species. The Modjadji cycads are the tallest cycads in Africa with stems of up to 13 meters high.

Rose-lovers should visit Bloemfontein in October when the annual Rose Festival is held. This city is noted for its beautiful parks and gardens: the Botanical Gardens, the Orchid House showcasing over 6,000 orchids, and the Rose Garden with over 4,000 rose bushes. Check the annual Festival Planner to decide when you'd like to visit Southern Africa, then contact us to help you plan your special interest tour.