It’s the time of the year when the Cape Floral Kingdom pops with technicoloured wild flowers.

 Different species of flowers carpet mountainside, sand dune, and valley in lush, jewelled pockets across the province.You can find a floral fairyland just an hour away from Cape Town. The West Coast is renowned for its hardy vygies, whose neon blooms are undeterred by the harsh sea spray. The West Coast Road (R27) is dotted with small towns in blossom. Keep in mind that prime viewing time is at 11am when the flowers open their faces to the sun.

All this flora gazing can work up an appetite, so start early in Darling with a slap-up breakfast at the Marmalade Cat. Try one of their famous omelettes. The home-baked goods are also worth mentioning. Slip a milk tart into your bag for padkos before heading off to see Darling’s spectacular wild flower medley.

Next, head to the West Coast National Park, just outside Langebaan. The Posberg area of the reserve is where you’ll find the psychedelic quilt of wild flowers – make sure to pack your sunglasses.

If you’re feeling peckish, and the milk tart has worn off, try the reserve’s restaurant, Geelbek.

‘They make traditional Cape Malay food,’ says West Coast boytjie and locavore chef Kobus van der Merwe of Paternoster’s Oep ve Koep. ‘Try the bobotie or chicken pie.’

Or if you can last until Paternoster, pay Kobus a visit. 

‘My menu will be light,’ he says. ‘Try my veldkool bredie. Veldkool is an indigenous West Coast plant –  and the bredie is quite similar to waterblommetjie bredie.’

Kobus, very diplomatically, has another suggestion for lunch in Paternoster.

‘I’m actually very jealous of this location.’

‘The restaurant’s name is Gaaitjie,’ he continues. ‘It’s right on the beach, in an old fisherman’s house, so the experience is very authentic.’

After lunch, take to Paternoster’s pristine dunes in search of floral treasures.

You could end your journey here, or you could keep driving towards Lambert’s Bay.

The flowers will by now have closed up shop for the night. Bed down in the beautiful, shell-covered cottages of Grootvlei. Before you head to the land of nod, find dinner first. Kobus suggests Isabellas. 

‘This is the place for seafood,’ he says. ‘They’re right in the harbour. They make great pizzas too.’

There you have it, the perfect flower-spotting trip – restaurants included.

By Malu Lambert