South African Break Aways

WILD SPRING FLOWERS – 2022

Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape Province (South Africa)

  • All photos were taken by: Esta Marais

Some of our regular readers will know that this time of year, we normally have a flower post on our blog. This year however, we are in another province where there are not really any wild flowers blooming in the fields … so, we had to make another plan …

Both me and Berto’s parents used to live in a very small town, Vanrhynsdorp, located 300 km (186 miles) north of Cape Town. I remember how we always visited them during August or September – of course to see them, but also to have the opportunity to witness the beautiful spring flowers.

Wild spring flowers

My parents’ neighbour, aunty Esta Marais is a wonderful photographer and she always have the most stunning photos of wild spring flowers. I contacted her and ask whether she can send me some of her photos (and her permission to post these on our blog).

A flower feast in the field

All of the photos in this post were taken close to Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape Province and 50km (31 miles) from Vanrhynsdorp. This time of year, thousands of people flock to the Northern- and Western Cape Provinces to view the spring flowers. Even overseas tourists arrange their visits around this time of year just to see this phenomenon.

A sea of orange flowers

Some of you might remember that Berto and I have done that extreme 5-day hiking trip a year ago in Oorlogskloof (you might have forgotten all about it, but we will never 😉). Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve is only 10km from Nieuwoudtville. We have done this hike in October last year and even then, we were able to see some lasting wild spring flowers.

I remember seeing these unique wild flowers on our hike in Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve last year October. Family of the Hoodia Gordonii – a type of succulent
A pink carpet of flowers (or is it purple?)

Of course, in order for the wild spring flowers to show their beauty, the area needs good winter rain. This year, it was a cold and wet winter in the Western Cape region (probably still is) and it seems the Northern Cape Province also received much needed rain during winter to deliver a good flower season.

A pool of water surrounded by wild spring flowers

For me, one of the most beautiful sights during spring time, is when we travel on a gravel road that is surrounded by colourful spring flowers. It forces you to go slow and appreciate the wonder of nature.

White flowers as far as the eyes can see
A mix of orange and yellow wild spring flowers

And it’s not just the smaller flowers that are in bloom, there are many others (much bigger and taller ones) that also make their appearances during spring. Their colours are magnificent and to see these in nature, growing wild and without any human interference, are very special!

A similar look than the Red Hot Poker flower

We hope you have enjoyed our flower edition of this year. And thank you very much to aunty Esta for taking such lovely photos and willing to share them with us.

The fields are definitely smiling during our South African spring season

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71 thoughts on “WILD SPRING FLOWERS – 2022”

    1. Thank you for the visit Morag. It’s such a beautiful sight – because we grew up in Namaqualand, we saw this almost every year for the first 20 years of our lives! You might not be seeing this soon, but I’m sure you will see many other beautiful things in your new country 💌.

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  2. Corna, wat ñ seën vir die oog! Die fotos is uitsonderlik mooi. Ek en Bertus het nooit die voorreg gehad om na hierdie blommeprag te gaan kyk nie, maar fotos soos hierdie is sowaar vervullend.

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    1. Dis voorwaar ‘n natuur fees hierdie Una! Ek onthou hoe ek letterlik hiermee groot geword het terwyl ons in Namakwaland gebly het … dan waardeer mens dit mos nie regtig nie! Maar om so tussen die blomme deur te loop, is ‘n groot voorreg en ek’s so bly Tannie Esta het die mooi met my (en ons) gedeel – dis net so mooi!

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  3. Corna! This is an exquisite post! I am one to seek out wildflowers wherever I go, even if they’re in small patches. And, like you, when traveling a new road through the woods, I like go slowly, observing & photographing! The pics you’ve share here brought a huge smile to my face! Please thank Esta for me! Enjoy your week! 🌞

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    1. Oh Lisa, I’m glad you enjoyed this post. To see these wild spring flowers always fills my heart with such joy! Nature is just so amazing to provide us with her beauty in so many ways. I will thank Esta – she is such a lover of nature and one can see it in her photos. Hope your week is good too 🌸.

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    1. Op die verste hoekie van die Noord-Kaap … Alexanderbaai, daar waar die magtige Oranje Rivier in die see uitmond. Wonderlike en vreugdevolle kinderdae (en later jong grootmens jare). Ook vir Berto daar ontmoet en getroud … nou kan jy verstaan hoekom ek sulke mooi herinneringe aan Namakwaland het, ne 😉.

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      1. Ek was sowaar al op Alexanderbaai! So 4 jaar gelede het ek en Bertus in September besluit om die volgende dag op ñ “road-trip” te gaan, en siedaar. Ons is op tot by Oranjemund. Oor die grenspos. Maar ons het ñ draai in Alexanderbaai gaan maak, afgedraai tot teen die see.

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      2. Kan jy glo? Nie baie mense was al daar nie … omdat dit so afgesonderd is. Ons was laas in 2020 daar en dit het my hart gebreek om te sien hoe vervalle dit is. Toe ons daar gebly het (1972 – 1997) was dit ‘n spog dorp … alhoewel, steeds afgesonder 😉. Ons het baie inkopies gaan doen in Oranjemund (daar was ‘n Woolies)!

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    1. Dis baie waar Tannie Frannie – asemrowend inderdaad! Dis die mooiste gesig om lentetyd in die natuur se blomtuin rond te stap … en al kon ek dit nou nie hierdie jaar self doen nie, het Tannie Esta ons met haar saamgeneem 😊.

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    1. An absolute wonderful sight to see Hannah! At first, I was sad to miss out this year, but Aunty Esta’s photos brought the wild spring flowers right here into our house … on the other side of the country! The purple carpet one is my favourite!

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    1. Wanneer daar genoeg reen geval het, is die blomme by Nieuwoudtville/Vanrhynsdorp altyd ongelooflik mooi! Dit klink my in dele van Namakwaland verder noord is daar ook pragtige plate blomme. Dalk is die blomme nader aan die Kaap (Langebaan omgewing) ‘n bietjie later die jaar. Ek stem 100% saam – ek sal nooit genoeg kry van blomme kyk nie!

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    1. Yes Henrietta, this is a stunning sight. Although I can’t experience it myself this year, am I so happy that Tannie Esta shared her beautiful pictures with us … you’re right, it feels as if we are in the middle of those flower fields!

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  13. Stunning! I have always wanted to do a trip to Namaqualand to see those flowers…….it’s still on my to do list. I do love the Hoodia flowers as they are so unusual! Tannie Esta’s photos are just amazing! Thank you for a lovely post!

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    1. Oh, I wouldn’t mind a trip to the Namaqualand region at this very moment! I experienced the spring flowers for the first 24 years of my life (while we lived in Namaqualand and I never got tired of seeing the spring flower paradise)! Thank you for your lovely comment and so glad you enjoyed seeing all the colorful (and more unusual) flowers 🌸.

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  14. Stunning! Even Grant would have to creep along with so much beauty on all sides! The flowers even grow in the middle of the track, I see. Isn’t it amazing what Nature can do in an environment that has not been taken over by humans. Wonderful. Pls thank Aunty Esta!

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    1. Haha, yes Grant will definitely have to keep his foot on the brake for this flower paradise 😄. I’m always amazed to see the flowers in the middle of the track as well … it just pops up everywhere! It is a stunning sight and one should admire Nature for such a spectacle! Thank you, I did sent a message to Aunty Esta and she is delighted that we all enjoyed her photos so much 💌.

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    1. Haha, it’s like when we pretend to have Christmas in July (when there’s snow) 😉. One could easily spent a whole day on just a very small piece of land … and the sweet smell of the flowers in the fields are something that you obviously can’t get in a photo!

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  19. Thanks for this festival of flowery fulsomeness Corna, and props to your parents’ neighbour’s talent for photography. Some idyllic scenes here, though the shot that most sticks in the mind is of the fearsome Red Hot Poker flowers. Stunning.

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    1. I dreamed of flowers last night – that’s the effect of Aunty Esta’s beautiful pictures 😊. I agree Leighton, the Red Hot Poker flowers are lovely (that was Aunty Esta’s favourite as well). To walk in those flower fields are an amazing feeling … when looking at people’s faces, it’s great to see everybody is smiling!

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  20. I am a huge fan of South African flowers so thank you and Esta for these wonderful delights. Never made it to view them in person. Western Australia has a similar show in the spring. Sadly I’ve never made it their either at the right time!

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    1. You will have to come back then to witness it yourself 😉. I didn’t know that one can see this in Australia as well – amazing how some countries are so similar (especially when it comes to plants and flowers).

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    1. Oh nice, you have something great to look forward to then! Most of the flowers might be gone by then, but you might be fortunate to still see a few “late bloomers”. Enjoy your trip (I’ll keep an eye out on your blog to see which places you visit) 😊.

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    1. It was always a highlight for me to see the spring flowers every year … yes, I’m a little bit sad to not being able to see them this year. But then, I’m really thankful to people like Aunty Esta taking such beautiful photos and sharing them!

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  25. Pragtige fotos deur n baie talentvolle fotograaf! Ek hoop ook om eendag daar uit te kom in die blommetyd, net so gou ons nie meer aan vakansies gebonde is nie, want vir n langnaweek is dit net te ver van Pretoria af!

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    1. Dankie 🌸. Tannie Esta is baie goed met haar kamera … sy neem altyd die mooiste klein detail af. Ja, vakansies kan ‘n mens nogal “kortwiek” as jy bietjie verder wil ry. Maar intussen is jy omring deur soveel Nasionale Parke dat jy beslis ook nie ‘n tekort aan mooiheid rondom jou het nie, ne!

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  26. Wow, just look at all the wonderful colours of flowers, I am in awe because looking at flowers gives me pleasure. As the saying goes – Bread Feeds The Body, But Flowers Feed The Soul. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

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