Many have the idea that the deserts of South Africa, suggest an absence of life, of flora and fauna. The harsh climate and the seemingly desolate look of deserts bring many to that conclusion. But it is the wrong conclusion. Just the grassland areas alone can contain upwards of sixty different species of grass. One of the most splendid vacation options is to travel to this country, stay in one of the luxury hotels South Africa boasts in the major cities, and then get out of town on safari, and travel through any of the five regional habitats, the forest, the Karoo, the Grassland, the Savannah or the Fynbos. Each of these zones have distinctive plant life based on the conditions of the climate. And in which ever region one chooses to explore, there will be flowers. More than ten percent of the flowering species of plants in the world are located in South Africa. Just along the Peninsula of Cape Town, there are more species than the entire country of Great Britain.
The King Protea is the national flower of South Africa and is found throughout the region of Fynbros. The range in color is tremendous within the species, as well as with the Ericas, and the Leucadendrons, which bloom throughout the year. There are five hundred and fifty species of native orchids growing on the mountains of the country, as well as Pelargoniums and Irises. South Africa has contributed to the gardens of all those throughout the world, with the previously mentioned beauties as well as the incredible Arum Lilies. For those wondering about the perfect time to visit, to take in the color and the aroma of these wildflowers, that would be spring. On the Cape the sight is breathtaking, and even more so is the region surrounding Namaqualand. This is a rocky, hot, and dry desert throughout the year, but come spring-time, for a few short weeks, the ground is covered with dazzling carpets of color, Daisies and Gardenias add color and enchanting scents. These flowers in the Kalahari desert are just one of the many reasons to visit this incredible country of South Africa.