Ramskop Nature Reserve

Ramskop Nature Reserve

The Cederberg has some of the most incredible wild flowers during the flower season that usually happens around August/September. Particularly for those travellers who can't make it all the way up to Garies and other gems like Nieuwoudtville, the Cederberg is as wonderful an option. And a lot closer to Cape Town.

Ramskop Nature Reserve lies just next to Clanwilliam, with the Cederberg Mountains, fields of rooibos tea and orange groves as a backdrop. Its wild flower garden has no fewer than 350 different species of wild flower and it is one of several places in the area where during the flower season you're almost guaranteed of a carpet, particularly if you go between 11am and 3pm whilst the sun is at its highest and the flowers are open.

Ramskop Nature Reserve thus forms part of Clanwilliam's annual Wild Flower Show, ten days usually at the end of August and first week of September, at the Dutch Reformed Church. The reserve has a series of paths that are easy to follow and give one access to some incredible views out over the mountains and Clanwilliam's dam.

The Ramskop reserve is only 66 hectares, but more than a tenth of this is planted with wild flowers from the entire Namaqualand. As a result, you'll be able to view flowers here that represent the Knersvlakte, Richtersveld and Boesmanland.

Ramskop, if you do not have long to see the flowers, is a good alternative for viewing flowers without having to clock up the miles. There is even a section of the reserve that includes marshland and Nieuwoudtville bulbs. The reserve is maintained by the local municipality and a series of volunteers for it is without financial support.

A tea garden is usually available during the flower season.