Dear Michael Good to hear you will be visiting our country. You have many questions - I will do my best to respond: And do you have any thoughts on the safety of traveling around the country on our own? If you stick to main roads and villages it will be very safe, especially in the West Cape where I assume you will be travelling some suggestions on places to visit: I suggest to plan a route to take in the Overberg where I live - Good flowers and animals at De Hoop Nature reserve and the area around Napier which I know well - Peacock Moraeas may be a problem to find. The Bontebok National Park is nearby at Swellendam. Travel to Darling to see three wild flower reserves - very good. Then on to Postberg National Park near Langebaan and later to the West Coast at Jacobsbaai where Koos Claassens is a great guide (koosclaassens@gmail.com), Head North to Clan William (Pakhuis Pass), Gifberg, Niewoudtville (the best place for bulbs). Then on to Kamieskroon. There is a great stay at the Kamiekroon Hotel which is convenient for all the wild flower routes in Namaqualand including the Namaqua National Park - even as far as Springbok. Lita Cole is a great guide in Kamieskroon (litacole@nashuaisp.co.za) The last week of August and first week of September is the best time, providing there have been good winter and spring rains even up to mid September I can suggest good places to stay and you need to book early in flower season. I am old now and have stopped taking large groups. If I am well enough I have taken small groups on tour, using my vehicle. My health is good at present but unpredictable as I am dealing with prostate cancer - in control at present. It would be convenient to have a guide who would take you right to the species you want to see and can be helpful with identification. I hesitate to offer my services as I cannot be sure of my status - we shall have to see I hope this is helpful Cameron and Rhoda McMaster African Bulbs tours PO Box 26, Napier 7270 Tel: 028 423 3651 Fax: 086 679 33 86 Mobile: 082 774 2075 Email: africanbulbs@haznet.co.za Website: http://www.africanbulbs.com/ . --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus/