Expect the Unexpected Or You Won’t Find It
Nowhere else is the spirit of solidarity not just to survive, but thrive in tourism and hospitality, as visible than with the Cape West Coast wildflowers bursting open with the change in season to thrill and entertain visitors on day trips and extended stays. And this welcome is complemented by the town of Darling‘s top accommodation, activities and attractions welcoming South Africans to come and explore.
The top question we get asked in October: are there still any wildflower to see?
YES! Each year the wildflowers scroll like a colour wave from the top, in the North of South Africa, to the South, where Darling is located. This year the wildflowers are in bloom in ‘rekord volumes’. The mix of bright colours were profuse this year, often 4 or 5 ‘rugby fields’ in size or intense patches in fields and on the road verges on well-maintained tarred and dirt roads.
This explosion of colour has been replaced by one of our absolute favorite colours, called Not Totally White in the form of Chincherinchees or Star of Bethlehem – aka ‘The Wonder Flower’ in Darling!
What’s in a name?
The popular name chincherinchee, is said to imitate the sound of stems rubbing against each other in the strong southeasterly winds where they grow.
Chincherinchee is the common name for the species Ornithogalum thyrsoides which has been a popular garden plant and an important export cut flower for the past 100 years or more.
How to find them?
Going on a West Coast Way Road Trip will bring this Wonder-Flower in full view on the hills of Darling. Stop in at Tienie Versveld Wildflower Reserve to see these enduring flowers and other beauties often hidden away between taller grass as you leisurely ramble through the Renosterveld.
Darling is vast and beautiful and offers a breathtaking hilly landscape connected to the 16-Mile Beach at Yzerfontein and Riebeek Valley’s olive groves.
You can also book a West Coast Horse Trail nature exploration on the back of Arabian bred horses with some Anglo Arabs. Ride your horse through farms, between sheep and cattle, over game farms in the area and onto the sparkling Yzerfontein beach.
Darling also has well-known wine estates that can be visited on horseback for some local wine tasting with a cheese platter or lunch.
A wine trail on horse back will see you canter from Ormonde to Darling Cellars, to Cloof and then Groote Post. An interesting fact: Darling was founded in 1853 on the farm Ormonde Wines, formerly known as Langfontein.
You can also request a multi-day trail ride for a different dimension of the Darling countryside, on every day.
Over-nighting in local accommodation establishments or tented camps with the best local cuisine served to you after a long day in the saddle.
Some options include: !Khwa ttu, Disa Lodge, Darling Lodge and Daisy Darling.
Covid-19 Protocols
West Coast Way first and foremost would like to remind visitors of the praise and respect that should go to all the frontline staff working in hospitality in the lodges, resorts, hotels, B&B accommodation, and chalets, glamping and camping experiences offering self-catering options, as well as wine and olive farms, breweries and distilleries and restaurants. “They are first and foremost tourism’s health ambassadors and they ensure that masks are worn at all times by visitors. “The health and safety of visitors are our nr1 priority. We now all need to work together to ensure that we stay open 7 days a week to ignite the economy of small towns and coastal villages of the Cape West Coast.”
Darling Tourism Bureau: Hello Darling
The Museum recreates life in a bygone era with fascinating displays of Victorian clothing, china, and household furniture, rooms partitioned depicting daily life such as a shop, a laundry room, school and buttery. From the museum you can take a self-guided historic walking tour – maps can be purchased for a mere R2 at the museum. Should you want a little more excitement than on your walk, then ask for the Darling Mystery Tour instead and challenge your mind on this innovative treasure hunt.
• Child-Friendly • Info • Walking Tours • Wildflower Society
Open 7 Days a week | Booking Not Essential
Where: Pastorie Street, Darling
Contact: +27 (0)22 492 3361 | [email protected] | www.hellodarling.co.za
West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature
West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.
Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way:
Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve.
For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.