Fynbos – translated as ‘fine bush’ – is one of the Cape’s most magnificent and abundant gifts. It forms part of the majestic Cape Floral Kingdom which holds rank as the world’s richest flower kingdom. Consisting of shrub- and heathlands occurring on scenic coastal plains and on mountain slopes of the south western and southern Cape, Fynbos – according to The Fynbos Hub – is particularly diverse, and includes the famous proteas; as well as the heath-like ericas; the needle-leaved varieties such as buchu; the wiry restioids and bulbous herbs. Exclusive Getaways brings you some fynbos-rich holiday destinations in the Western Cape and Garden Route, offering access to the Cape’s incredible fynbos bounty, as well as providing luxury and upmarket accommodation in picturesque areas.
Kapensis Guesthouse has a majestic position on the edge of Pringle Bay, on an 8.5 hectare fynbos farm. Enjoy fantastic views across the fynbos landscape towards the coastline and get out in the great outdoors amid the vegetation that is unique to the area.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is situated above Walker Bay, not far from Hermanus. The lodge is surrounded by masses of fynbos that forms part of a truly remarkable conservation area. Exceedingly detailed surveys of fynbos have been undertaken at Grootbos, and a number of new species, not previously known to science, have been discovered and recorded there. Grootbos offers its guests bespoke fynbos tours that reveal much about the phenomenal floral variety in this area.
Abalone Guest Lodge is situated along the picturesque Cliff Path at Hermanus. As its backdrop, the lodge has fynbos-clad mountains, with the ocean in the foreground. A fynbos nature reserve is located conveniently close to the lodge.
The 5 star Relais & Chateaux Marine Hermanus is situated very close to the scenic Cliff Path, an ideal scenic trail for access to fynbos and supreme coastal views, and also great for seasonal whale watching. The beautiful Fernkloof Nature Reserve is a short drive from the hotel, and is a paradise of fynbos. There are fabulous hiking trails in Fernkloof, on which to see many examples of coastal fynbos.
De Hoop Nature Reserve is a supreme nature sanctuary in the Western Cape, comprising marine reserve, dunes, vlei and fynbos plains. Stay for at least a few days to savour all of nature’s abundance and to experience the hiking trails that will reveal De Hoop’s flora.
Augusta de Mist is a very special country hideaway at Swellendam, set in a gorgeous garden that is predominantly fynbos. The garden experience is delightful, with hand-hewn benches and stools on which to sit, and enchanting pathways to explore.
In the Mossel Bay area of the Garden Route, Gondwana Game Reserve is set amid valleys cloaked by indigenous fynbos. While on safari activities, guests at Gondwana will be able to see many varieties of fynbos.
The first of the Western Cape’s authentic, free-roaming Big Five reserves, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is a prized Little Karoo sanctuary for wildlife and fynbos.
Fynbos Ridge is a wonderful Garden Route destination secluded in a nature reserve amid fynbos and close to the forests for which the Garden Route is famed. It is a place at which to unwind and enjoy unspoiled surroundings on the edge of Plettenberg Bay. There is much in the way of fynbos to enjoy around the lodge. A little further afield at Knysna, the Featherbed Nature Reserve offers various eco experiences, one of which includes walking through coastal forest and fynbos.
The Calitzdorp area in which the Retreat at Groenfontein is situated forms part of the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve conservation area. This is where a number of biodiversity hotspots intersect, one of which is Cape Fynbos. (The other are Succulent Karoo and Valley Thicket.)
Read about other flower hotspots and getaways in South Africa.
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