The West Coast National Park, which stretches from Yzerfontein to Langebaan, is a pristine nature reserve which offers an array of activities such as bird watching, game sighting, biking and whale spotting.
Located on the Culture Route and Foodie Route
The West Coast National Park can be easily accessed via the Culture Route and Foodie Route. Either via the R27 gate or via Park Street, on the Langebaan side of the Park, where the second gate is situated.
The Park was established in 1985 with the aim of conserving the Langebaan Lagoon, a Ramsar site, and surrounding landscapes, including the islands in Saldanha Bay. The habitats in the park are varied, and the whole area is of international and national importance in respect of both terrestrial and marine life.
Travel tip:
Avid birdwatchers can spot over 200 species of land and sea birds, many just around the lagoon. Other birds from farther afield also make an appearance, such as the curlew sandpiper which makes a pilgrimage to the West Coast National Park all the way from the Arctic every year.
Mammals also abound and, apart from eland, you could also see springbok, kudu, gemsbok and the rare mountain zebra. In summer hundreds of tortoises patrol the flowering land. Although they have long since gone from the area, lions and elephants used to roam during the Dutch East India Company (VOC) period in the 17th century.
The area is also extremely rich in fossils and reported remains of human occupation in the park date back to the Holocene Age.
Enjoy a relaxing day at the beach in Kraalbaai which offers ample picnic and braai facilities. Visit Postberg during the spring flowering season (only open to the public from August to September). During spring the park is a tapestry of multi-hued flowers.
Find the West Coast National Park on the Culture Route and Foodie Route
Distance from Cape Town: 87.7km
Where: Off the R27
Contact: t +27 022 772 2144
Via Culture Route on the R27 West Coast National Park entrance
Via Foodie Route at the Langebaan side of the West Coast National Park entrance