South Africa is truly blessed with an abundance of beautiful plants and animals. The wildlife is one of the country’s major tourist draw-cards and with nature literally on the doorstep of some of the largest cities — for example, Table Mountain National Park is within walking distance of Cape Town’s CBD — which makes it accessible to all, not just those who can afford the luxury of a safari in an exclusive game reserve.
The flora of the Western Cape is world famous and the opportunities to enjoy it are limitless. Botanical gardens and nature reserves are plentiful, but you will encounter the profusion of plant-life wherever you go.
King protea, Protea cynaroides Day #2 Outeniqua Hiking Trail 
King protea, Protea cynaroides 
King protea, Protea cynaroides above Camps Bay, Table Mountain 
King protea, Protea cynaroides 
Queen protea (Protea magnifica) 
Broad-leaved Sugarbush, Protea eximea 
Black-bearded Sugarbush 
Protea serruria 
Wolwekos, Hyobanche sanguinea, Katbakkies Pass, Cederberg 
Red disa (Disa uniflora), Groot Winterhoek 
Snotrosie, Drosera cistiflora, Perdeberg Trail 
Flowering succulents, Tankwa Karoo 
Rocket Pincusion, Leucospermum reflexum 
Oldenburgia grandis, Kirstenbosch 
Oldenburgia paradoxa
The nature of the extensive coastline varies widely, from the arid west coast to the lush south and east coasts, from broad sweeping beaches with waves rolling onto golden sand to rugged cliffs towering over waves smashing into rocky headlands and everything in between. Several Marine Reserves can be visited, but you will find that most South Africans have a love of the coastline and a beach holiday, or at the very least a day at the beach over the Christmas / New Year’s season, is a tradition for many.
