Read More About Our Floral Heritage

For five days and nights in February 2006, the fire blazed an 80-kilometre trail from the outskirts of Cape Town towards Africa's southernmost point.

Then, unexpectedly, the wind changed direction - meaning the workers and fire staff at the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve stood no chance against the flames. Conference guests were evacuated before the five-star hotel resort was completely engulfed. Three apartments were destroyed and the five-star restaurant's impressive collection of Western Cape wines was reduced to a mountain of twisted glass.

So how come Grootbos' chief botanist, Sean Privett, is smiling as he recalls that dramatic night?

"Hey, they were just buildings, they could be rebuilt," he says with a grin. "But that fire was a whole new opportunity for rare plant species to germinate and flourish. We found about 70 new species here in the months after the blaze."

Then, like a proud parent, he opens his arms to the dense shrubland around him: "With the exception of our ancient milkwood forest, which is fire resistant, you can say that all the plants here were born on the same day: February 6, 2006."

Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/activity/great-outdoors/safari-with-a-difference-20110706-1h26j.html