Issues to do in West Coast Nationwide Park
Located within the Western Cape, on a stretch of the South African shoreline that’s famend for its rugged magnificence, the West Coast Nationwide Park is a scenic nature reserve with a various vary of plant, chook, and animal life. The park was established in 1985 and spans round 32 000 hectares. Spectacular landscapes, secret seashores and pristine mountaineering trails are simply a few of the causes to go to this nationwide treasure.
We visited the park on a day journey from Cape City, which took about an hour every means. It’s small in comparison with a few of the different nationwide parks and may simply be explored in a day. The roads are well-marked and most of them are tarred, apart from the Postberg part and a small part close to Tsaarsbank, that are gravel.
Listed below are 10 issues to do in West Coast Nationwide Park
1. Get pleasure from some water sports activities
The centrepiece of the park, the Langebaan Lagoon, is a big saltwater lagoon which has been designated as a Ramsar wetland of worldwide significance. Considered one of solely three lagoons on the planet which aren’t fed by contemporary water, it’s divided into three zones: A, B and C. Sail boats and board crusing are allowed in zone B, whereas swimming, fishing and water sports activities, together with energy boating, kayaking and kite browsing are allowed solely in Zone A, close to the city of Langebaan.
2. Have a picnic on the seashore
Two of essentially the most lovely seashores in South Africa, the Kraalbaai and Preekstoel seashores, are nice locations to spend the day enjoyable, swimming and picnicking. The white sandy seashores overlook the turquoise waters of the lagoon, making you are feeling as if you’re on a tropical island.
3. See wildflowers in spring
Along with Namaqua Nationwide Park, the West Coast Nationwide Park is the very best place to see South Africa’s vibrant wildflower shows in spring. The Postberg Flower Reserve within the park is the place a lot of the wildflowers may be discovered and is simply open throughout flower season in August and September.
4. Admire the views
There are designated viewpoints across the park that are price stopping at for the magnificent views they provide. The Seeberg and Atlantic viewpoints are the very best viewpoints, and on a transparent day you possibly can see Desk Mountain from them. An previous shepherd’s hut at Seeberg, has some fascinating details about the historical past of the realm.
5. Return in time
On the Geelbek Customer’s Centre, you possibly can see a reproduction of Eve’s footprints. These are 117 000-year-old footprints which belonged to a younger girl who lived close to the lagoon. The unique footprints are on the Iziko South African Museum in Cape City.
Additionally at Geelbek, is a restored Cape Dutch constructing inbuilt 1860, which now homes the Geelbek Restaurant.
6. Take a hike
There are a number of mountaineering trails within the park, starting from straightforward walks to strenuous one- and-two-day hikes, that may take you thru gorgeous surroundings. One of many shortest and hottest hikes is the 4.6 km Bakoor path, which works from the Laangebaan Gate to the Seeberg viewpoint. Biking and mountain biking routes are additionally obtainable.
7. Go chook watching
The West Coast Nationwide Park is a haven for birding fanatics, with over 250 species of birds, together with lesser flamingos, ostriches and eagles. A few of them migrate yearly from Russia to their breeding grounds within the park. There are 4 chook hides across the park which offer an excellent vantage level to watch them from. We noticed a flamboyance of flamingos, in addition to ostriches, uncommon black oystercatchers and different species.
8. See wildlife
The park is dwelling to mammals akin to Cape mountain zebras, gemsboks, elands and caracals, and several other sorts of snakes. The most important focus of mammals may be present in the Postberg part, which is sadly solely open throughout the flower season, though they are often seen in different elements of the park too. We didn’t see any of the bigger mammals though we noticed quite a few tortoises, dassies and mongooses.
9. Spot whales, dolphins and shipwrecks at Tsaarsbank
This rougher, extra rugged facet of the park overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Right here you possibly can have a seaside braai as you watch the waves. If you happen to’re fortunate, you may even see dolphins right here. Throughout August and September, whales move by too.
A 1.8 km path alongside the seashore at Tsaarsbank will take you to the rusty stays of the Pantelis A. Lemos shipwreck, which ran aground in thick fog again in 1978.
10. Keep on a houseboat
There are 4 houseboats of various sizes in Kraalbaai, the place you possibly can keep on the lagoon. No boating expertise is important because the houseboats are completely moored.
One of the best time to go to the park is in August and September, when the wildflowers are in bloom and the climate is heat however not too scorching. Whales may also be seen throughout this era. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless a wonderful park all-year-round.
We visited in October. Though we didn’t get to see the wildflower carpets, we nonetheless noticed a few of the final flowers.
Good to know
Other than the houseboats, there are self-catering cottages within the park that may be booked with Sanparks.
The park can get fairly windy, even in summer season, so have a jacket helpful in case you plan to get out of your automotive.
There aren’t any gas stations within the park so replenish earlier than you go.
There’s one restaurant however no outlets the place you possibly can cease for snacks.
For extra data and entrance charges, go to West Coast Nationwide Park.