Between July and October each year, the sun-baked plains and sandstone mountains of the West Coast of South Africa (Weskus) metamorphose into a kaleidoscope of brilliant colour as the veld gives rise to the world renowned wild flowers.

The roadsides and wetlands are filled with the last patches of Arum Lillies and white Rain Daisies herald the arrival of spring, jostling with tiny yellow Button Daisies, Blue Flax and pink Nemesias. Look out for the daintier, sometimes hidden Winecups, Sparaxis, Lechenalia and Babiana flowers. Good rains will ensure that the carpets of flowers last well into October and multi-coloured Vygies, Watsonias and velds of orange and yellow "Stinkkruid" will await you too.

To fully take advantage of the region’s spring, wild flower experience, combine a visit to one of the wild flower reserves on the West Coast with the annual Wild Flower shows held in Clanwilliam, Darling and Hopefiled where more than 300 wild flowers species and - plants are displayed.

Biedouw Valley and Ramskop Nature Reserve near Clanwilliam, Tienie Versfeld and Groenekloof Reserve near Darling, “Groot Winterhoek” Reserve near Porterville, Postberg in the West Coast National Park and the three floral kingdoms (Fynbos, Succulents and Nama-Karoo vegetation) in the Namaqua West Coast region, is a must to visit.