Visit the West Coast Fossil Park, a National Heritage Site, is one of the richest fossil deposits ever discovered and, since then, the bones of some 200 different kinds of animals, some of them hitherto unknown to science, have been recovered. The highlight of the Fossil Park is the ‘live’ exhibit of an ongoing excavation of early Pliocene fossils. There are daily guided tours which give a background to the fossils and the climatic changes that happened in the region.
See what visitors and blogger have to say about their visits:
Learning about 5 million year old giraffes at the West Coast Fossil Park, South Africa. Incredible. #nature pic.twitter.com/YAu3UxsxMA
— Hannah Catmur (@hannahcatmur) January 12, 2016
Here lies something old, pieces of a whale and a long-necked giraffe, from 5 million years ago. Be amazed, be stunned and visit West Coast Fossil Park. #Africa #SouthAfrica #CapeTown #lovecapetown #WestCoastWay #fossil #excavation #archeology #bones #Wanderlust #Travel A photo posted by Going Somewhere Slowly (@going_somewhere_slowly) on
Loving exploring the #Westcoastwayroutes. Exciting times ahead pic.twitter.com/doCS6hd6LX — The Roaming Giraffe (@DiBrown5) April 16, 2016
Five million years old! African bears, short necked giraffe, elephant and whales. West Coast Fossil Park pic.twitter.com/iZhMRcFJQ9 — The Roaming Giraffe (@DiBrown5) April 15, 2016
Spent the afternoon with fossils in the West Coast. 5 million years ago long-necked giraffes&whales waltzed here… pic.twitter.com/KiDuJFKE1l — GoingSomewhereSlowly (@AnjeRautenbach) April 15, 2016
Check out this totally tremendous tortoise shell from the West Coast Fossil Park, South Africa. #FossilFriday pic.twitter.com/TWaJigG6QQ
— Katy Smith (@Dr_Mastodonna) February 5, 2016
One of the fossil deposits at West Coast Fossil Park. A 5.2million year old fossil deposit on the west coast of South Africa and a National Heritage Site #southafrica #westerncape #fossil #heritage #westcoastfossilpark #explore #palaeontology #history A photo posted by Clinton Dean Jackson (@clinton_jackson) on
Our West Coast Fossil Park is a fascinating window back in time (5 MYA ago to be ‘precise’) https://t.co/yDisMOV1BY pic.twitter.com/KvTsaXnz7Q — David Bristow (@DavidJCBristow) February 17, 2016
Crashing a school outing #westcoastfossilpark #fossils A photo posted by Rosalia Ladu (@rosalialadu) on
Open weekdays 09:00 – 15:00
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: guided tours from 10.00 to 13.00. Opening times vary according to season. (You are advised to phone or email ahead of your visit)
Closed: Christmas Day, New Year’s Day & Good Friday
Distance from Cape Town: 120km
Where: R27 to R45
Coordinates: 32° 57′ 19.4″ S 18° 6′ 49.9″ E
Contact: +27 (0)22 766 1606 | www.fossilpark.org.za | [email protected]
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.Take the road less travelled in the West Coast Way
For more information on West Coast Way Routes and the list of 101+ Things To See And Do in the Cape West Coast, visit our eventspage. Choose to go on a self-guided adventure drive by following the routes, or book an air-conditioned trip to top West Coast attractions in South Africa.